September 23, 2020

Staff pick: Miranda Tapsell's "Top End girl"

 

You can find this book here.

I don’t often read autobiographies; I am not much of a nonfiction reader at all to be honest. The good thing about looking at books for a library; however? Reading outside your likes and comfort zones. It is about opening up to different narratives and points of view that you might not find by reading that same genre you read every other day.

Autobiographies are very different for me because they are about specific lives and specific points of view other than my own. These can be confronting, comforting, or a celebration, but either way it can be emotional. And it should be because it is the story of someone’s life, or part of their life depending on which autobiography you read.

Tapsells’ heart is in this book as she talks about some of the most impacting moments of her life, particularly her career and making the film Top End Wedding.

Tapsell is a straight-forward writer, and I imagine a straight-forward talker too. She is bold in speaking up about what she believes in and what she is passionate about and is very self-confident: evident through her stories about her childhood.

A very important message in Tapsell’s story is about her connection to country as a proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman. Tapsell brings up the pride and love she has for her culture and family; as well as the importance for non-Indigenous people to learn of and understand the issues and inequality facing First Nations people.

This is particularly true of Australia. Everyone should know, or learn, about not just the effects of colonisation on Indigenous people; but the invisibility of people of colour that continues today through how history is told, or even how health care and custodies work. The land is more than a way for governments to make a profit; and people are more than the stereotypes or covert racism that pervades everyday language.

Tapsell never says she speaks for all First nations people: she speaks for herself. It is a strong voice that shows clearly how much she has worked in her life, enjoyed life and celebrated everything she has and works towards. This book is one to read, because it helps show anyone how important it is to not just be aware of, but love and embrace community and culture.

SB

And if you are interested, you can borrow "Top End Wedding" here at the library!

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