Overall rating and opinion of "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane
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Discussing"Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane
In my own opinion I feel Natalie, falling in love with Bruce Glover is morally wrong.With the affection that Rosemary Glover has for her she should have exercised restraint.Natalie is hardworking with a reasonable sense of responsibility as she goes to work as a housekeeper for the Glovers.She could be described as vindictive in the way she refuses to render help to Alex when he falls into the creek while trying to pull Libby on.Alex dies as a result of not getting immediate help which could only have been given by Natalie.
Jennie Linnane did a great job in making the novel relatable by showcasing the Australian landscapes,cultures and language in the development of the novel.I will surely read this novel over and over again.Congrats to the author on BOTM.
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I found it odd for a book of the month, but this is my first book of the month I have read. I am curious if all will be similar. The book didn't seem to be professionally edited.Riverlutz wrote: ↑13 Apr 2018, 17:02 Ironbark review...
The story was great, my only issue was at times they get into too many details for things that really didn't mean much for the actual storyline, but overall a good read.
Times were hard back then and the story shows of how the struggle is real.
I would not rate it book of the month , but would definitely recommend to friends to read...
Although, I enjoyed reading it. It was a very quick read for me, just a few hours.
- Lgs1089
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"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."
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- Latest Review: Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane
Natalie story tells it all of a disrupt family life. Her ludricous stepfather and her humble mother, who thinks only of pleasing her husband eventhough life with him is futile. The author again reveals to its reader the density of heartbreaks, and the solidarity of growing up, but eventhough the content of the story reflects on such grave intentious actions, there is yet still hope for something better. In chapter one "Home and Family" the author states: She is now sixteen and is still at home, and no one in the "household" is remembering Natalie birthday. At age sixteen every or most teenager hopes for a party, a gift or just a quite family brunch; a good breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But this did not happen for Natalie. She even reflects back to her feelings for Mr. Glover and has never been kissed. Teenagers enjoy these things. What the author is saying Natalie home life is boring. And most readers will feel a sense of remorse, hoping that their family will not be like hers.
And there's Grandpa, who lives with them but buries himself within his own senility of old age, and who once own the property, but turned it over to his son-in-law Alex who is arrogant and ludricous, and based and what the author states, he does not seem to know what is happening around him, concerns of the way is daughter(Alex wife) is being treated. The authour did not share much interest in the lives of Natalies siblings Joey, Shirley and little Robyn who feels so scare when she wets her bed. This part will make the readers laugh.
Natalie is an avid artist who reflects on the art of bright neons, and hope someday to fully accomplish it. She also thinks that their happiness will be the riddance of her stepfather, and wish that he could be killed at work, and as a reader I think she is hurt with such an uncomfortable family life growing up in the realms of poverty, all because of him.
The author literacy towards this book should be recommended to all readers, both children and adult, base on contents, which is not fictional, but happening in our daily lives. "To beware of ludicrous step-parents, because, it could be either a step-father or step-mother who is cruel as Alex."
"IronBark Hill" should be put on every book shelf, the authour has literally state facts maybe with a little fiction, but the book is good enough for reading. It may not be the best seller for the month of April but it is good enough to read.
- gen_g
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- JR_Benavidez
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Her mother may be perceived as weak yet she didn't have an easy life either. A rancher's daughter, the love of her life dead in a tragic accident and yet she raised her daughter to be woman mature at the age of sixteen able to pursue her dreams when she herself was unable too.
Definitely would recommend.
- Jmteachmom
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I think the ending is hard to grasp because our 21st century minds just do not get it! Have an open mind and understanding that we live in a different society and culture. But I do love the questions it brings up!!!Christina Rose wrote: ↑13 Apr 2018, 18:27I hope you are enjoying the book! I still have to make my way through it as well. It seems well received, outside of the ending.heidifinger wrote: ↑09 Apr 2018, 14:38 Reading the reviews and comments of the book I am excited to get reading. I just downloaded it and will read it this week.
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Even though I didn't enjoy the minor characters I would still recommend this book to other people. All of the moments seemed very genuine and were filled with emotion. Although I thought that Natalie's conversion to atheism seemed to come out of nowhere and the dialogue in that section sounded like something that a new atheist would say rather than a young woman who was turning away from religion.
- keidav447
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What do you like most about it? It gave me joy whenever good things happened to Natalie, and her thoughts of what she wanted out of life adds good meaning to what people want in general.
What do you like least? Physical abuse in any type of way is not good for anybody to have to deal with and can cause health problems within that persons life.
Will you recommend the book to other people? I will recommend this book to others.
Why or why not? I feel everyone can reap the benefits from beginning, middle, to end by reading this book. It is good to go outside the box sometimes. It opens you up to wonders and things you never thought you knew.
- holsam_87
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Overall I really enjoyed how everything came together and feel that Natalie is a very sympathetic character that anyone can empathize with. I really enjoyed how Natalie was portrayed and how she interacted with the other characters. I didn't enjoy the portrayal of abuse or the slurs that were thrown at Natalie and Joey since they have Aboriginal blood. I would definitely recommend this to others since it shows a different spin on the typical family, especially since this takes place in Australia. I would rate this book with 4 out of 4 stars.gali wrote: ↑01 Apr 2018, 01:37 This is a discussion topic for the April 2018 Book of the Month, "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane
What is your overall opinion of the "Ironbark Hill"? What do you like most about it? What do you like least? Will you recommend the book to other people? Why or why not?
Please remember to add your actual rating using the book's page on
Bookshelves.
“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”
—J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Cristina Chifane
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What I loved most about this novel is its simplicity and the pervading sadness hidden in Natalie's struggle to survive the consequences of a traumatic childhood. She may perceive Alex's death as a liberation, but I think she never fully overcame her abuse as her lifelong relationship with Bruce Glover proves. Her art may be her refuge and salvation. At the same time, it may become a permanent prison, a way of avoiding real life.
On the whole, Ironbark Hill is beautifully written and could easily serve as an example to the kind of pain and trauma people have to live with because of other people's lack of control and irresponsibility.
- gen_g
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- Jmteachmom
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Seems like a great book. I like books where I got attached to the characters.