Moonbird People

by Patsy Adam-Smith

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Dion Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a series of vignettes written about Patsy’s adventures around the Furneaux Group Islands. While some of the stories are vaguely humorous, much of the book is centred on the history of the islands or the natural science of many of the birds. I enjoyed the book but at times I found it very dry. Written from distant third person, the stories lacked immediacy and much of the humour of the events was lost ― a “had to be there to appreciate it” story. Having said that the book has captured some valuable history about a seldom written about place. I thought the book could have benefitted from a detailed map of the area. The reason being that many of the islands she was writing about are not clearly marked on modern maps or the island has changed its name.

[Mark Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Patsy Adam-Smith offers an account of a way of life that even at the time of writing was a vanishing way of life in Australia. Making her home among the islanders and indigenous people of the Furneaux Group of islands she writes with amazing depth and empathetic understanding of the life these people led and provides the reader with a true insight into their fascinating world. This really is a lost classic waiting to be rediscovered. What really amazes me is how progressive Adam-Smith is as a writer, humanitarian and feminist, though I am sure she would not have counted herself amongst the last two. To work as she did in these remote islands living and embracing the lifestyle of a vanishing culture is truly remarkable. I really hope her writing is rediscovered and reappraised it really is deserving of it.

[Kelv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to be very factual and on a topic which is probably not interesting, relevant - that being said "Fronti nulla fides (don't judge a book by its cover)" - It was well written and had all the features needed to make it interesting and worth reading.

The historical aspects were impressive and gave me a good insight into 1800's in Tasmania, the islands, the local people and early explorers.

Pasty had away of writing in a direct fashion on topics which were relevant to a suitable level of detail, while maintaining a story without slowing it down or getting bogged down on specifics.