The White Girl

Tony Birch

Jun 2019 · Univ. of Queensland Press

About this ebook

A searing new novel from leading Indigenous storyteller Tony Birch that explores the lengths we will go to in order to save the people we love.Odette Brown has lived her whole life on the fringes of a small country town. After her daughter disappeared and left her with her granddaughter Sissy to raise on her own, Odette has managed to stay under the radar of the welfare authorities who are removing fair-skinned Aboriginal children from their families. When a new policeman arrives in town, determined to enforce the law, Odette must risk everything to save Sissy and protect everything she loves. In The White Girl, Miles-Franklin-shortlisted author Tony Birch shines a spotlight on the 1960s and the devastating government policy of taking Indigenous children from their families.

Ratings and reviews

It's a nice story showcasing the sufferings of the native people of this land, then the courage for them to live on. The book is easy to read and reflect on the need for reconciliation that all people need to strive for. The eBook also comes with "Read out loud" that is enjoyed to listen to. Thank you for such a great book.

I liked it alot. It definitely spoke to me as an Australian. I think the ending felt a little quick compared to the buildup but it was still a good read.

Beautifully written. Jarring and relatable.

About the author

Tony Birch is the author of Ghost River, which won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Indigenous Writing and Blood, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. He is also the author of Shadowboxing and three short story collections, Father's Day, The Promise and Common People. In 2017 he was awarded the Patrick White Literary Award. Tony is a frequent contributor to ABC local and national radio and a regular guest at writers' festivals. He lives in Melbourne and is a Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University.