A review by ashtronomic
Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 This book holds nothing back, a raw, dark and brutal perspective on the experiences of Indigenous Australians.

Too Much Lip was difficult to read and that’s a good thing. The characters are disagreeable, but the novel takes readers on a journey to identify the necessity for their often unlikeable personalities. The novel explores the effect that generational trauma continues to have on first nations peoples in Australia and how that impacts families every day. Whilst reading I often found myself inwardly flinching due to uncomfortable situations and actions, so much so, that I was having doubts in the first few chapters. However, as the tale unravels you come to sympathise with the protagonists even as their actions continue to be contentious.

My only negative opinion on this book is that some POV chapters feel out of place and unnecessary.

This book's message is one that is incredibly difficult to convey, but Melissa Lucashenko has done an incredible job of enunciating the issue. If only more white Australians had any interest in experiencing these perspectives.

 
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