Song of the crocodile by Nardi Simpson
Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780733643743.
(Age: Adult/Senior secondary) Highly recommended. An interweaving of
spiritual stories of ancestors and totems, and the down-to-earth
daily experiences of an Aboriginal family confined to the outskirts
of Darnmoor, a hard country town representative of so many towns in
Australia where racism is an undercurrent unrecognised by the
townspeople but with an ongoing impact on the lives of the
Indigenous people, this story brings alive three generations of the
Billymil family.
For me the portrayal of the bright curious and cheerful little girl
Mili was so magical - you could see her happy face, her thoughtful
questions, and her love for her elders and her cousins, a really
bright little spark. All of which makes so devastating the casual
violence that is inflicted upon her. Reading about her you
understand how spirits get broken, how life just becomes too hard,
and uncaring sets in. The other amazing character is Wil, full of
energy and optimism, hardworking and determined, and so full of love
and kindness towards a wife who is broken and a son that is not his.
There are many more characters who will capture your heart; probably
most poignant of all is Paddy, lost between two worlds, heading
towards danger.
Simpson's talent is in making her characters come to life, with
language so authentic, you can hear their voices, and their
conversations, and join in their humour. This deftness with
conversational language is combined with an ability to describe not
only the workplaces, the town and the physical environment, but the
magical spiritual world that flows beneath and around it all.
It is a hard story, of hard work, endurance, and suffering. The
spotlight is shone squarely on the degeneration of a culture with
alcoholism and depression, alongside the ugliness of racism and the
whitewashing of history. But the hearts of the people are true, and
the spirit of the country may have its revenge in the end.
This is a very moving story, harshly realistic and magical at the
same time. The writing is beautiful, incorporating Yuwaalaraay
language naturally throughout. The author is clearly a talent to
look out for; this debut novel was winner of the 2018
black&write! writing fellowship.
Themes: Aboriginal culture, Country, Racism, Identity,
Marginalistion, Violence, Rape.
Helen Eddy