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256 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2019
We are all ordinary. Every single one of us is an ordinary person who has a set of talents, opportunities, challenges and experiences to work with. Whether we turbocharge those into greatness or lie on the couch is usually entirely up to us. But to start with, we are all ordinary to the core.
When I use the word 'ordinary', I mean normal, human, grounded, real. I don't mean average, mediocre or dull. — Lucy
The first thing you need to know about Get The Girls Out is that Lucy Bloom writes exactly how she presents. I have been lucky enough to see her and her wit and humour does translate from the spoken to the written with ease. If you do get the chance to see her present do it, it will be worth your money and your time (one of only two presenters I will say that about). This is such an inspirational book. Lucy has some different and arguably enlightened views on the role of men in childbirth, sexual assault and motherhood. While these views it may be widespread they aren't commonly expressed.
The format of the book combined with the writing style makes this such a readable book. The book is broken down by theme rather than a timeline. The overarching themes are A kick where it hurts, Chasing squirrels, Ordinary, Kindness, Charity, Courage, Optimism and Saying yes. Beyond the themes the people in her life are astounding. Her kids, Hudson, Harlow and Sheba, made me smile, Lucy has been so lucky with them. They have adjusted well to a mother who travels a lot leaves them to their own devices more and is to put in mildly unconventional. Catherine Hamlin is in an inspiration, I can see why she attracts the people she does. Lucy's men, Mr Perry, Doc, Rob and Captain India, are all so different, all suit different sides of her. The way she wrote them all with dignity and respect says more about her than anything else.
Lucy Bloom has lived a life you cannot make up and have to read to understand. testifying at a royal commission (which still causes her professional issues), Harlow's birth, meeting and loving Rob and Captain India, her accident and the resulting scars, all her travels and charity work. But what results is a book that makes you want to get out and act, to do something for people. She achieved her goal. If the blurb appeals to you, if you like to travel, if you like strong women. Read this it is a romp.
Lucy, there will always be a woman who is younger and more beautiful than you. ALWAYS. There are girls being born now right who in twenty years will be drawing attention from men you are. So don't bother comparing yourself with young and beautiful. Those things fade. Smarts, experience and maturity trump looks and youth every time. no young thing can ever compete with that. — Snowy
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