Like a number of books, the reviews here and on Amazon range from "Must Read" to "Waste of Time." I must admit to finding some truth in each of them.
Having said that, I wish my mother was alive to read this book. She was Australian, growing up in the same time period Jill was, except she was a few years older. Mom passed the exam to enroll in the best high school in Sydney, but went into the work force instead, due to her family's financial situation. In her case, the 'villain' was her father and not her mother, whom she always loved deeply.
I was a member of a 5th grade class in Gladesville, Australia, which is now part of Sydney. My mother took my brother and I home with her for a year. Unfortunately, this was several months after her mother's death. This allowed me to understand the book better. For example, growing up I learned British children's stories instead of American ones.
Australia today is so far unlike the country Jill Ker and my mother knew that there is almost no explaining it. The culture of the people has changed considerably. No need to go into that here. Financially, Australia, as a country, has the highest personal debt in the world. I think Jill's father would be shocked.
Sometimes life doesn't give you the family you want or need. At those times, people must not use their family as an excuse, but as a reason to make yourself better. I feel that my mother did just that. She never went to high school, but she was the equal of Jill Ker, if not superior, in bettering her life and making a difference.
Having said that, I wish my mother was alive to read this book. She was Australian, growing up in the same time period Jill was, except she was a few years older. Mom passed the exam to enroll in the best high school in Sydney, but went into the work force instead, due to her family's financial situation. In her case, the 'villain' was her father and not her mother, whom she always loved deeply.
I was a member of a 5th grade class in Gladesville, Australia, which is now part of Sydney. My mother took my brother and I home with her for a year. Unfortunately, this was several months after her mother's death. This allowed me to understand the book better. For example, growing up I learned British children's stories instead of American ones.
Australia today is so far unlike the country Jill Ker and my mother knew that there is almost no explaining it. The culture of the people has changed considerably. No need to go into that here. Financially, Australia, as a country, has the highest personal debt in the world. I think Jill's father would be shocked.
Sometimes life doesn't give you the family you want or need. At those times, people must not use their family as an excuse, but as a reason to make yourself better. I feel that my mother did just that. She never went to high school, but she was the equal of Jill Ker, if not superior, in bettering her life and making a difference.
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