It's 1972 in Gibber's Creek, and across the nation, the catchcry is, 'It's time'. 'And we must sing a rebel song And join in rebel chorus.' In 1972 in Gibber's Creek, and across the nation, the catchcry is, 'It's time'. Time for old folk, time for young folk, time for everyone to welcome a renewed Australia with a new, idealistic Labor Government.
It's also time for Jed Kelly to choose between past love, Nicholas, the Labor member for Gibber's Creek, and Sam from the Halfway to Eternity commune. It's time for Scarlett O'Hara to dream that one day she might walk - and become a doctor - despite being in a wheelchair. And for Leafsong, the commune's 'mute monster', it's time for others to see her true beauty as she opens their eyes and changes their lives with the exact food that someone will love and need.
It's also time for Matilda Thompson to face her ghosts and reflect on an extraordinary life that began by a billabong in 1894. A life that took a young girl from the slums of Grinder's Alley to formidable matriarch of the district.
But as political ideals drift from disaster to the Dismissal, Ra Zacharia plots a new world led by aliens. And he will sacrifice whoever he must to achieve it.
The 1970s was a time of extraordinary idealism, when anything seemed possible. A nation filled with dreams of a better world, but deep conflicts about exactly what that better world might be. Jackie French, author of the best-selling To Love a Sunburnt Country, has drawn on her personal experiences and memories of that time and woven them into a sweeping story of a small rural community which, like all of Australia, was affected by the tumultuous political events of 1972 to 1975. Events that are still being debated to this day.
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This YA Jackie French series is very good! It tracks a young girl, Matilda, and her family & friends thru the years from 1894 to the turbulent early 1970's.
The backdrop to each individual story is an era of interesting Australian history, and each title is a poem or song that we should all recognise.
"If Blood Should Stain The Wattle" was a fascinating read for me. It covers the years 1971- 1975, a time of massive political upheaval and social change in Australia. As a 1972 baby myself, I learnt & understood more about this era from the book than I ever have before! I knew Gough Whitlam's Government had been instrumental in introducing much change to Australian society but I hadn't really thought about what that was.
Jackie's female characters are very strong individuals, who are frequently at the forefront of changes sweeping across Australia. Jed is the main character here again, and it was great to see how her life has settled after events in "Ghost By The Billabong" but she still has plenty of challenges confronting her! All of our other favourites are back too, and for me, it was fascinating to see the changes in Scarlett, from young girl to blossoming teen.
Over all this, watches Matilda, our fine matriarch and undisputed Queen of Gibbers Creek, She rules her community & family with a velvet glove! But Matilda is growing old & weary; will the election of a Labor Government be her last great hurrah?
This book could be read independently but I would highly recommend starting at the beginning with "A Waltz For Matilda" and working forwards- there are lots of characters with their own stories and our attachment to them all will grow this way.
Originally, this was going to be the end of the series but I'm very excited to hear that Jackie French has just finished writing Book 8!
These have been written as a YA series but as an adult, they don't feel particularly young. In fact, there are some very mature concepts involved across this series- in particular, Book 4 "To Love A Sunburnt Country" is a very confronting read. - Susan (QBD)
Guest, 09/03/2017
