02 Jun / The White Girl by Tony Birch [in Booklist]
*STARRED REVIEW
In 1960s Australia (not so unlike in the U.S.), the laws allow Aboriginal communities to be openly mistreated, their movements restricted, and their humanity denied. Lauded Australian Indigenous writer Tony Birch explores his country’s complex racist history through three generations of brown women, centering his narrative on Odette, 63, of small-town Deane. There, she raised her daughter Lila who, at 16 gave birth to Sissy, then left the 1-year-old with Odette and disappeared.
At almost 13, Sissy is the titular “white girl,” her skin the only remnant of an unknown white father. Her lightness means the government can legally steal Sissy from Odette to sever her Aboriginal bonds. With her health failing, Odette isn’t sure how much longer she can protect Sissy, but she’ll risk anything to keep the girl safe. She also needs to find Lila.
Birch’s resonating narrative finds an ideal aural cipher in Indigenous Australian Shareena Clanton, who provides an eloquent performance for every character. Of course, Odette is the impressive star, but Clanton infuses aching determination in “never grown up” Henry Lamb (his devotion to his dog Rowdy will induce tears), loyal desperation in George Kane, wrenching longing in a hotel receptionist, determined pride in Jack Haines, and more.
Together, author and narrator achieve a pitch-perfect symbiosis of text and voice.
Review: “Media,” Booklist, May 15, 2022
Readers: Adult
Published: 2022