This is the remarkable story of one woman's triumph over adversity.
Tanjas Darke suffered the most terrifying and degrading experiences at the hands of her father for more than 20 years. Used by him as a sex slave, she was the principal witness against her father in a celebrated court trial in 2000. He is now serving a prison sentence for his crimes.
Tanjas tells her story in her own words. Her early life was spent in Australia and Vanuatu, where her mother made the fateful decision to abandon her to be raised by her father. She describes evocatively her life in a Pacific paradise - but a paradise flawed by what was happening to her in private.
Remarkably, Tanjas has been able to write a very balanced account of her life, and one of the strengths of this book is its readable and transparent style, setting it apart as a work of real quality. As the title suggests, Tanjas eventually overcame her appalling experiences to fly free and create a new life free of abuse and adversity. 'Flight Of The Dancing Bird' ends with her account of her father's trial.
Tanjas is now in her forties. A gem-cutter by trade, she lived and worked in Europe for several years following the events recounted in this book. She is married and is returning to New Zealand to live. "Dancing bird" was one of her nicknames as a child.
