A guest post from @lostinstacks
I adored the opening of this book, the pondering of the naughtiness of Australian children, the impact of the sun and the subtle acknowledgement of our sad history.
Despite being quite aware of the problems, it is still contextually jarring, particularly in discussion of race and gender. But Judy is full of gumption and grit, and I love her father’s dismay at how to handle her!
As a side note, the editing of this story - the fact the whole picnic story was removed for so long - astounds me.
A Sunkissed, nostalgic look at childhood in colonial Australia, the quotidian life of the seven is just beautiful! Stylistically it’s a lovely, lyrical read, with children’s poetry at the opening of chapters and an omniscient narrator chatting to you as a companion or co-conspirator.
Reading a bit like an Aussie Little Women (parallels between Judy and Jo could be made?), Seven Little Australians is at times a celebration of childhood or the Aussie free spirit and independence. It touches on darker elements of colonial life, like the harshness of the landscape and the treatment of the indigenous people, but ultimately these aren’t developed. That being said, I did find myself tearing up (ok, sobbing uncontrollably and gasping in horror) at the end. All is not well, as you’d initially think.
I think Turner really tried to push the barriers with this little classic, and the more I research and the more distance I have, the more I appreciate the efforts she made, to include Aboriginal legends, to make strong female characters, to create a children’s story that while having “once upon a time,” was not an easy neat narrative.
Seven Little Australians featured in the August 2020 Classic parcel. If this review has piqued your interest, head on over to the shop to see if there are any parcels left over for sale!