Overall rating and opinion of "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane
- Kradiographer23
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 12 May 2018, 08:48
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Re: Overall rating and opinion of "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane
- Hcurtis
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 03 Mar 2018, 21:11
- Favorite Book: The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 0
When it came to her mother's inability to leave her husband and unable to protect her children from his cruelty, I kind of sympathize with her. They live in the country with less support and if I am not mistaken it, it occurred in an era before services were formed to protect them and women had little to no rights but to try to protect their kids as best as possible.
- Lgs1089
- Posts: 121
- Joined: 04 Apr 2018, 21:55
- Favorite Book: The Buried Secrets of Peonies
- Currently Reading: Of Illusions and Ink Spills
- Bookshelf Size: 131
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lgs1089.html
- Latest Review: Long Distance Flyer, G-EBFO. ISBN 978-1-78222-456-3 by Kenneth T Ward
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
I hadn't considered that Natalie was relatable to all ages. That's an excellent point!JR_Benavidez wrote: ↑24 Apr 2018, 11:15 The book takes an interesting approach to both coming of age and the reflection of wisdom. Natalie can easily relate to all ages. The author writes in a way that touches on very hard topics without seeming to overwhelm the reader: racism, an alcoholic step-father and an attempted rape. As Natalie reflects on these things as well as the taboo relationship with an older married man it's not with pain or regret but just it is a fact of life.
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.
"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 02 Mar 2018, 07:42
- Currently Reading: The Next Worship
- Bookshelf Size: 21
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jbluestocking2.html
- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
- FawkesThorn
- Posts: 22
- Joined: 03 Mar 2018, 20:50
- Currently Reading: The Titan's Curse
- Bookshelf Size: 32
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fawkesthorn.html
- Latest Review: Toni the Superhero by R.D. Base
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
- Review1
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 25 Jun 2017, 15:23
- Currently Reading: The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
- Bookshelf Size: 4
- Lolo Skyooz
- Posts: 36
- Joined: 05 Apr 2018, 01:14
- Currently Reading: The Haunting of Hill House
- Bookshelf Size: 12
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lolo-skyooz.html
- Latest Review: Demon Freaks by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
- Reading Device: B00GDQDRPK
- Shaggy-Reads
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 10 May 2018, 12:13
- Currently Reading: Bound in Flames
- Bookshelf Size: 393
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shaggy-reads.html
- Latest Review: A Kingdom Forgotten by Charles W. McDonald Jr.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy family drama. The issues within are real life problems that ring true. I am hoping for more about the main character; how is she now and where is she in her life as she grows and changes any new challenges?
I would give this a 3 out of a 4. I don’t give it a 4 because it took a push for me to get through and the mother’s character needed more development in the area of support for her daughter.
Also, some of the book is vague. As she helps the cow calf it states how she did similar with her mother. That isn’t clear about whether she helped her mother with calving or childbirth. I wish that was more detailed for understanding. There are other issues through the book with such vagueness.
Overall it is a good book for teens and adults. The plot covers many ages and is easily relatable to today’s environment. Many parents aren’t truly parenting their children. If you want to read about family drama that could be happening in your community then give this book a read. I believe this plot is more true than people care to admit. The descriptive writing is good and I really like the main character. Don’t miss out if you like drama with a real world twist.
- daniya__shah3
- Posts: 222
- Joined: 17 May 2018, 07:56
- Currently Reading: Wuthering Heights
- Bookshelf Size: 27
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-daniya-shah3.html
- Latest Review: Lonely Expiation by Siegfried Finser
- JeanneTiberio
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 01 Mar 2018, 12:32
- Currently Reading: McDowell
- Bookshelf Size: 11
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeannetiberio.html
- Latest Review: Concealment by Rose Edmunds
Natalie is a great central character. That was one of my favorite parts of the book. My least favorite part of the book was her infatuation with an older man. It didn't ring true for me. It would have seemed more plausible for her to be infatuated with a rebellious teenager of a similar age.
Overall, I thought this was a very good book with a suspenseful plot and good character development.
- AcBoka
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 07:04
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 4
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-acboka.html
- Latest Review: Heartaches by H.M. Irwing
that I like because of it's main character Natalie. Being so strong, she is definitely someone to look up to.
- Sefiros2211
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 29 Mar 2018, 08:33
- Favorite Book: Eye of the World
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 12
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sefiros2211.html
- Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 26 Apr 2018, 07:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 8
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-midnightbasm.html
- Latest Review: Invisible Me by H M Irwing
- amybo82
- Posts: 651
- Joined: 07 Sep 2014, 17:27
- Favorite Book: cannot pick just one
- Currently Reading: Calypso
- Bookshelf Size: 1517
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amybo82.html
- Latest Review: The Adventures of The Gorilla Billies by Mark J Stopford
- Reading Device: B00TA9FD2M
- Publishing Contest Votes: 17
- Dragonfly6
- Posts: 59
- Joined: 20 Mar 2018, 07:13
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 53
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dragonfly6.html
- Latest Review: Why can't Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh
Hcurtis wrote: ↑12 May 2018, 14:09 I think this book is inspirational and eyeopening for those that are in the situation of living in abusive environments and for those that are looking at helping those in abusive environments. To be able to see through the eyes of Natalie helped to get the abuse's point of view, especially if there is no way from them to leave the situation due to age or feeling a sense that you have to help protect the others in the home.
When it came to her mother's inability to leave her husband and unable to protect her children from his cruelty, I kind of sympathize with her. They live in the country with less support and if I am not mistaken it, it occurred in an era before services were formed to protect them and women had little to no rights but to try to protect their kids as best as possible.
This is such a great point! There are often times when victims of abuse have limited or no resources in certain regions, states or countries. I have worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and often there is one child, usually the oldest, who takes on a protector role for other members of the family who are suffering the abuse.
I enjoyed the book not only for the story it told through Natalie's perspective, but also because it was descriptive enough that I felt transported to where Natalie lived in Australia, despite never having been to Australia myself.
Additionally, I enjoyed that Natalie was a passionate, strong-willed, stubborn, and flawed character. It made her human and relatable. I could understand why she hesitated helping Alex at the end, and even though she didn't do it it in time, she did decide to to help him and tried to pull him out. Whatever the reader may think about Alex dying, it was the best thing for Natalie's family.