Review of Ironbark Hill
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Review of Ironbark Hill
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Ironbark Hill.]
Ironbark Hill is an engaging coming-of-age story featuring Natalie, who is one-fourth aboriginal, living with her mother and a stepfather who is a drunk, a racist, and physically abusive. The difficulties of living in a poor, rural area of Australia play an important part in the story because those circumstances force Natalie to work as a maid for a wealthy white family. Natalie's dream for her future is to be an artist, and the woman of the house, an accomplished artist, encourages her, but her stepfather does everything he can to undermine Natalie's future. The artist's husband, Bruce, seduces Natalie, further complicating her life. Natalie can't help but be drawn to this man who seems to need her so very much, but she knows it is not in her best interest to continue the relationship. Still, she loves him.
The book is written in first-person and starts when Natalie is a teenager, following her into adulthood. Her story of survival from an abusive home and her hope for a better life is compelling, as she clings to her dreams and aspirations. I enjoyed watching her strength as a person grow, and a perfect example is when she dares to defy her abusive stepfather and hide the cow she has raised to have money for her education. He wants to sell the cow, telling her it is to have money for the family, but she knows he will only waste the money on drink and gambling, not taking care of the family.
Always there is a push-pull between Natalie and her stepfather who carries a long-time grudge against her dead father, Johnnie. Sometimes he has the upper hand when he beats her and her mother and her brother, other times she bests him and the final conflict left me gasping. One does what one has to to survive.
I am always drawn to stories that celebrate strong women, and this one certainly does. Natalie proves her strength again and again, and I think she is an inspiration to any woman who believes she is stuck in a dreadful situation with no way out. With fortitude and courage, there is always a way out.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and found the writing well done. The telling is not soft. There is harsh language and brutal circumstances that might make a reader wince, but this is the reality that Natalie, and people like her, lived. I found that the descriptions painted vivid pictures and the characters were developed fully. Even the ones who were not the most likable were real and three-dimensional; like the step-father and his friend who blackmailed Natalie.
My only negative comment is about the cover. I understand why the author chose that portrait, but it is not making an attractive cover. That portrait could serve the purpose if put on an inside page. Still, I rate the book 5 out of 5 and highly recommend it to readers who would like to see what it was like for one young girl to grow up in a rural part of Australia in very harsh conditions and rise above it to have a better life.
Ironbark Hill is an engaging coming-of-age story featuring Natalie, who is one-fourth aboriginal, living with her mother and a stepfather who is a drunk, a racist, and physically abusive. The difficulties of living in a poor, rural area of Australia play an important part in the story because those circumstances force Natalie to work as a maid for a wealthy white family. Natalie's dream for her future is to be an artist, and the woman of the house, an accomplished artist, encourages her, but her stepfather does everything he can to undermine Natalie's future. The artist's husband, Bruce, seduces Natalie, further complicating her life. Natalie can't help but be drawn to this man who seems to need her so very much, but she knows it is not in her best interest to continue the relationship. Still, she loves him.
The book is written in first-person and starts when Natalie is a teenager, following her into adulthood. Her story of survival from an abusive home and her hope for a better life is compelling, as she clings to her dreams and aspirations. I enjoyed watching her strength as a person grow, and a perfect example is when she dares to defy her abusive stepfather and hide the cow she has raised to have money for her education. He wants to sell the cow, telling her it is to have money for the family, but she knows he will only waste the money on drink and gambling, not taking care of the family.
Always there is a push-pull between Natalie and her stepfather who carries a long-time grudge against her dead father, Johnnie. Sometimes he has the upper hand when he beats her and her mother and her brother, other times she bests him and the final conflict left me gasping. One does what one has to to survive.
I am always drawn to stories that celebrate strong women, and this one certainly does. Natalie proves her strength again and again, and I think she is an inspiration to any woman who believes she is stuck in a dreadful situation with no way out. With fortitude and courage, there is always a way out.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and found the writing well done. The telling is not soft. There is harsh language and brutal circumstances that might make a reader wince, but this is the reality that Natalie, and people like her, lived. I found that the descriptions painted vivid pictures and the characters were developed fully. Even the ones who were not the most likable were real and three-dimensional; like the step-father and his friend who blackmailed Natalie.
My only negative comment is about the cover. I understand why the author chose that portrait, but it is not making an attractive cover. That portrait could serve the purpose if put on an inside page. Still, I rate the book 5 out of 5 and highly recommend it to readers who would like to see what it was like for one young girl to grow up in a rural part of Australia in very harsh conditions and rise above it to have a better life.
