- Paperback: 142 pages
- Publisher: Miramax Books (1 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0786887842
- ISBN-13: 978-0786887842
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
37,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Australia & New Zealand
- #4 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Cultural History > Australian
- #11 in Books > History > Countries & Regions > Australasia & Pacific > Australasia > Australia
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Product Description
Synopsis
Written by Doris Pilkington, the daughter of the oldest girl, Molly, the story traces the traumatic uprooting of the three sisters from their community in Northwestern Australia. Following a government edict in 1931, black children and children of mixed marriages were gathered up and brought to settlements where they were to be disciplined to abandon their aboriginal heritage, and taught to be culturally white. The three sisters, Molly, Gracie and Daisy quickly planned an escape from the Moore River Native Settlement with its harsh life of padlocks, barred windows, hard cold beds and horrible food. Solitary confinement was doled out as regular punishment and they were forbidden to speak their own language. The girls headed for the nearby rabbit-proof fence that stretches over 1000 miles through the desert toward their home. Their journey lasted over a month, and they survived on everything from emus to feral cats, while narrowly avoiding the police, professional trackers, and hostile white settlers. Their story is a truly moving tale of defiance and resilience.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The longest walk,
By Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Rabbit-proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time (Paperback)
It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated [the film was waiting] and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history.The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of "superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of "assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking. There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance. This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its "White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
compelling true story,
By C L Lodge (Hereford, Herefordshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rabbit-proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time (Paperback)
a compelling and emotional book this will make you appreciate the vast distances these girls travelled to return to their homeland and the way they were treated to make them decide to walk the long way home.Racism and aboriginal rights do not even come into this,just pure determination to return to their family.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rabbit-Proof Fence,
By
This review is from: Rabbit-proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time (Paperback)
'Rabbit-Proof Fence' is the short, but completely captivating story of three girls escape from a half-caste aboriginal centre and their epic, long walk home back to their families. This book is simply written, but extremely evocative and can easily be read in a couple of hours. But, for those hours, you will live and breathe the lives of these tenacious and brave girls completely. Written by the daughter of one of the girls (Molly) and pieced together from recollections and telegram records, this book charts what the human spirit is capable of and what bravery was shown by the girls to get back to their homes. A simple story, beautifully told and one to leave you awe inspired and full of respect. A solid four stars.
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