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The Road from Coorain
The Road from Coorain
Author: Jill Ker Conway
From the shelter of a protective family, to the lessons of tragedy and independence, this is an indelible portrait of a harsh and beautiful country and the inspiring story of a remarkable woman's life. Jill Ker Conway is a noted historian, specializing in the experience of women in America, and was the first woman president of Smith College.
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ISBN-13: 9780679724360
ISBN-10: 0679724362
Publication Date: 8/11/1990
Pages: 256
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 79

3.9 stars, based on 79 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Munro avatar reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
A beautifully written autobiography. At age 11, Conway ( Women Reformers and American Culture ) left the arduous life on her family's sheep farm in the Australian outback for school in war-time Sydney, burdened by an emotionally dependent, recently widowed mother. A lively curiosity and penetrating intellect illuminate this unusually objective account of the author's progress from a solitary childhood--the most appealing part of the narrative--to public achievement as president of Smith College and now professor at MIT. Gifted with an ability to adapt to a wide range of cultures and people and despite ingrained Australian prejudice against intellectuals, Conway devoted herself to the study of history and literature, spurred on by excellent British-style schooling.
reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
A beautifully written narrative of Conway's life on a sheep-farm in the grasslands of Australia, her intellectual blossoming in a male dominated culture and her departure for American, eventually the presidency of Smith College.
murder101 avatar reviewed The Road from Coorain on
Helpful Score: 4
This is a great book, I especially loved the beginning where she talks of her childhood on a sheep farm in New South Wales really interesting stuff.Also very strong people who by the end of the book you feel like you know.This book is a very complex story of a woman torn between her family duty and her academic acheviments in a time and place where women rarley achevied the success she attains.Lots of interesting facts of her travels at that time in history. At the end she emerges as a very strong female against all odds.
reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed about three-fourths of this book. It was very interesting how she grew up in the outbush of Australia and what a different and difficult life it was. The last part of the book wasn't quit as interesting, but on a whole I really liked the book.
kera108 avatar reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Well written autobiographical rendering of a woman's upbringing, trials and education in Australia. Full of wonderful descriptions, brilliant remembrances. Thoughtfully developed and skillfully executed.
Read All 27 Book Reviews of "The Road from Coorain"

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reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 23 more book reviews
This is a great story about a woman living on a sheep farm in Australia and "is a masterpiece of scene, memory, and very stylish Enlgish."
reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 64 more book reviews
The 1st of 3 autobiographies covering the life of a notable woman. Covers her growing-up years on Australian sheep farm, move to the city with her "difficult" mother, travels in Europe, college education and her decision to move to the US to continue her education. The book jacket calls it "gripping and inspiring" and I found it to be such. It brings to life the Australian experiences of culture and challenge, and the challenge of being a woman that transends any culture. Was a book group discussion book for me and I am grateful to have found it that way.
reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 3 more book reviews
Enjoyed this book.
reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 16 more book reviews
Jill Ker Conway is the dean at an Ivy league school(Smith?). This is a very inspiring memoir about growing up in the outback of Australia and achieving her goals in the face of hardship.
Alameda avatar reviewed The Road from Coorain on + 336 more book reviews
Hardship unimaginable - comming of age - from one world to another.


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