Purple Threads

Winner of the 2010 David Unaipon Award for Indigenous Writing, Purple Threads is a humorous collection of rural yarns by a gifted storyteller. Jeanine Leane grew up on a sheep farm near Gundagai, and the stories are based on her childhood experiences in a house full of fiercely independent women. In between Aunty Boo's surveillance of the local farmers' sheep dip alliance and Aunty Bubby's fireside tales of the Punic Wars, the women offer sage advice to their nieces on growing up as Indigenous girls in a white country town. The cast of strong Aboriginal women in a rural setting gives a fascinating insight into both Aboriginal and rural life. Farming is not an easy pursuit for anyone, but the Aunties take all the challenges in their stride, facing torrential rain, violent neighbours and injured dogs with an equal mix of humour and courage. Growing Up In The Shifting Landscape Of Gundagai With Her Nan And Aunties, Sunny Spends Her Days Playing On The Hills Near Their Farmhouse And Her Nights Dozing By The Fire, Listening To The Big Women Yarn About Life Over Endless Cups Of Tea. It Is A Life Of Freedom, Protection, And Love. But As Sunny Grows She Must Face The Challenge Of Being Seen As Different, And Of Having A Mother Whose Visits Are As Unpredictable As The Rain. Based Of Jeanine Leane's Own Childhood, These Funny, Endearing, And Thought-provoking Stories Offer A Snapshot Of A Unique Australian Upbringing. Jeanine Leane. Winner Of The 2010 David Unaipon Award For Indigenous Writing. Based on the authors childhood experiences growing up in a house full of fiercely independent women, this collection offers a unique perspective on the Australian country lifestyle. From Aunty Boos surveillance of the local farmers sheep dip alliance to Aunty Bubbys fireside tales of the Punic Wars, the women in this book offer sage advice to their nieces about growing up as Aboriginal girls in a white country town. Farming is not an easy pursuit for anyone, but the Aunties take all the challenges in stride, facing torrential rain, violent neighbors, and injured dogs with an equal mix of humor and courage. Growing up in the shifting landscape of Gundagai with her Nan and Aunties, Sunny spends her days playing on the hills near their farmhouse and her nights dozing by the fire, listening to the big women yarn about life over endless cups of tea. It is a life of freedom, protection, and love. But as Sunny grows she must face the challenge of being seen as different, and of having a mother whose visits are as unpredictable as the rain. Based of Jeanine Leane's own childhood, these funny, endearing, and thought-provoking stories offer a snapshot of a unique Australian upbringing.--Résumé de l'éditeur