Tell Me Why for Young Adults

by Archie Roach

Shortlisted for the 2022 Prime Minister's Literary Award. ‘There are many Australian stories, and mine is just one about what happened to me and other First Peoples of this country. It’s important for me to tell my story – because it’s not just part of my healing but of this country’s as well. We all have a story and as you read this book I would like you to think of your own story, what that means and who is also a part of your story.’        In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir – and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people – Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. It took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was.   Tell Me Why is an unforgettable story of resilience, strength of spirit and hope.

Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2021

About the author

Archibald William Roach AM (8 January 1956 – 30 July 2022) was an Aboriginal Australian musician. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, a Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder and a campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians. His wife and musical partner was the singer Ruby Hunter (1955–2010).

Roach first became known for the song "Took the Children Away", which featured on his debut solo album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990. He toured around the globe, headlining and opening shows for Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega and Patti Smith. His work has been recognised by numerous nominations and awards, including a Deadly Award for a "Lifetime Contribution to Healing the Stolen Generations" in 2013. At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards on 25 November 2020, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame.

Reviews

[Polynesianreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart, my soul will cherish this book for many years to come. Thank you for sharing your story, the trauma they faced can never be healed 😔 but we can make a difference by sharing and understanding their stories. They are our First Nations people and we must honour that by acknowledging it. Love and respect ❤️✊🏽

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: Stolen Generations, alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, death of a sibling, death of a parent, death of a spouse, generational trauma, incarceration, mental health.

4.5 stars.

Somehow, I've gone my whole life without hearing an Archie Roach song, so I went into this completely blind. Like, I knew it was going to be about his life and his experiences as a member of the Stolen Generations. But I had no idea how prevalent alcohol abuse would be in the story and how much loss he'd experience in his life before he even reached the point of starting his musical career.

This was darker than I expected from a YA edition, but there were occasional moments of humour to lighten the mood. My favourite hands down was when he thought Paul Kelly was a security guard rather than PAUL FREAKING KELLY.

After I finished reading, I went and listened to the songs that are included at the beginning of each chapter in lyric form, and I wish I'd been smart enough to listen to them WHILE I WAS READING so that I had more of an idea of Roach's music as I was reading.

My one small gripe is that because I had no idea of anything Archie Roach related going in, I didn't know how old he was. And in the early stages of the book - particularly his childhood and teen years - there are no mentions of what year it is. So I had no idea when the early stages of the book are set, given that the Stolen Generations covers the 1910s to 1960s/1970s. But, like, I'm a grown ass adult with the sense to Google it and I chose not to, so that's absolutely on me.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting autobiography of a truly great Australian. A member of the Stolen Generations (that is, aboriginal children forcibly removed from their parents/families and placed in children's homes and foster care) Archie recounts frankly his homelessness, imprisonment and descent into alcoholism. However, it is also a powerful story of hope as Archie re-connects with members of his family, re-establishes a relationship with his partner, and becomes a celebrated song writer and musician whose songs speak to and give a voice to indigenous people. At times the writing could be more concise; however, this work is highly recommended.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an abridged version of Archie Roach’s autobiography aimed at younger readers. It captures the sadness and pain of losing one’s family, the spiral of addiction and the ability of music to heal and bridge a divide. It is well paced, conversational and interesting to learn about his life. It is an important work in reminding us all that the work we need to do with First Nations Australia is not done.

The best part is that each chapter is framed around the lyrics of one of his songs. I listened to each of the songs before reading the chapter and it really shaped the experience for me.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Archie Roach’s history, just knew that he was a First Nations musician. This story highlights the Stolen Generation, intergenerational trauma, racism and trauma experienced by First Nations people. Such an eye opening read.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read. I absolutlely loved it.While heartbreaking at times, it is a beautiful story of resilience and healing from being horribly taken and disconnected from family and culture. I fell in love with this man, his story and music.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vale, Archie.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realise I picked up the young adult version but it didn’t matter. Incredible story of Archie Roach & Ruby Hunter’s life.

[Michael Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie Roach’s passionate and striking memoir, Tell Me Why, portrays the struggles of Archie – an Indigenous Australian musician – throughout his life. Archie is a member of the Stolen Generation and was placed in foster care with Alex and Dulcie Cox until he left to begin a long, tumultuous journey towards finding his biological family, himself and his purpose. Roach’s novel primarily discusses the importance of family, the struggles Indigenous peoples face with addiction, and the racism that Indigenous peoples are subjected to. Tell Me Why is a poignant novel that allows readers to deepen their understanding of the impacts of colonisation, the intergenerational trauma of Indigenous peoples from the Stolen Generation, and to evoke a stronger sense of empathy in readers into the heartbreaking lives that Indigenous peoples are forced to live.

Tell Me Why illustrates the importance of family. Family in this novel is not limited to the standard western notion of only direct blood relatives. To Archie Roach, family is a wider, more diverse unit. Archie’s family consists of his adoptive parents, his biological siblings, his Indigenous Gunditjmara community, his own children and wife, as well as his diverse musical family. These families assist Archie in battling his alcohol addiction and help guide his journey towards becoming his true, empowered self.

Through finding his brothers and sisters, as well as living with other impoverished Indigenous peoples in Sydney and Melbourne, Archie developed a strong alcohol addiction which consumed his life for over fifteen years. Archie was a ‘drinker who worked’ (Roach 2019, p. 128) not a worker who drank. Alcohol permeated through every aspect of Archie’s life, as drinking and yarning was an ingrained component of Indigenous culture. Charcoal Lane – the Fitzroy bars – provided a ‘place of drinking and family’, ‘a meeting place’ where ‘[Indigenous] stories were collected’ (Roach 2019, p. 281). Consequently, alcoholism saturated Archie’s friends and family’s lives causing irreparable damage. It killed his older brother Horse, it caused Ruby to have a miscarriage, and nearly caused Archie to commit suicide: ‘Everyone will be better off without you.. DO IT.’ (Roach 2019, p. 208). Thankfully, the power of family was able to help Archie overcome his addiction. When Ruby left Archie, he finally realised ‘it was [time to clean up]’ (Roach 2019, p. 221) and stayed at a rehabilitation centre. Here, Archie realised the divinity of life, that he was ‘throwing away’ the most ‘wonderful thing in the world’ (Roach 2019, p. 227). Through his own family unit and the deaths of his siblings, Archie was able to transcend his addiction and find his true purpose: music and helping others overcome their trauma.

Concluding this review, I really enjoyed this novel. It is the Young Adult’s version since this is a year 8 text at Girton Grammar. I am curious as to how it differs from the adult version. Roach articulates his story with emotion, grit, truth and humility. It is real, and that is what makes it so unique. I have learnt a lot about Indigenous culture and the history of Australia through this novel, and I am pleased that it is in some schools’ curriculum.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this having no idea it was an abridged version, it was such an honest book that had my gut tied up in knots, I'm not sure I could read the adult version. Thanks for your honesty Archie Roach, what the governments did back then was nothing but atrocious, reminds me of what they did with all of those English children too, and the lies they were told.

[Erin O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a deeply moving and important book. 🖤💛❤️
I’ll be reading this with my Year 8 English class next term and I’m looking forward to our discussions, they’re a really insightful group!