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The Matilda Saga #1
A Waltz for Matilda
In 1894, twelve-year-old Matilda flees the city slums to find her unknown father and his farm. But drought grips the land, and the shearers are on strike. Her father has turned swaggie and he's wanted by the troopers. In front of his terrified daughter, he makes a stand against them, defiant to the last. ′You′ll never catch me alive, said he...′
Set against a backdrop of bushfire, flood, war and jubilation, this is the story of one girl's journey towards independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.
Drawing on the well-known poem by A.B. Paterson and from events rooted in actual history, this is the untold story behind Australia′s early years as an emerging nation.
Set against a backdrop of bushfire, flood, war and jubilation, this is the story of one girl's journey towards independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.
Drawing on the well-known poem by A.B. Paterson and from events rooted in actual history, this is the untold story behind Australia′s early years as an emerging nation.
479 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
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1887 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French
321 books870 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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February 7, 2015
1894. Matilda is just twelve, pretending to be fourteen so she can work in the nearby jam factory while her mother is ill and bedridden. She continues to write to the father she's never met, who is building a home for them in the country and getting established before they move - or so her mother has always told her, and she's never doubted it.
When her mother dies, leaving her alone in the world, Matilda is left with few choices. Their landlady, Mrs Dawkins, is willing to let her stay if she works for her board, but Matilda has no intention of becoming a maid. Instead, she takes her few meagre possessions, learns which train to catch from her friend Tommy, a young boy with a knack for machinery and inventing, and heads off to find her father.
All she really knows is the name of her father's farm - Moura - and the nearest town, Gibber's Creek. When the train stops for Gibber's Creek, she finds no station or town, but the faint demarcation of a road which she might not have spotted if a wagon wasn't stopped at it. Three men are there to pick up a union speaker who rode the train with her; also waiting to be picked up are a well-dressed woman and her daughter, who's about Matilda's age. Matilda throws in her lot with the working men, who give her a lift into town where her father will be - it's a big night for the union, and her dad is the man who began it in Gibber's Creek.
When she does finally meet her father, it's a happy reunion. Her dad is full of plans, and Matilda learns a new version of the truth as to why she'd never met him before. But all too soon, a shocking and tragic event unfolds and Matilda must once again turn to her own abilities to survive in this harsh, drought-afflicted land. With the assistance of a local Aboriginal woman called Auntie Love and Auntie's nephew, Mr Sampson, and her dog, Hey You, Matilda turns her energy and willingness to learn to making her dad's dream for Moura come true. But it's not only the land she has to struggle against: her neighbour, the wealthy and powerful squatter Mr Drinkwater, presents a challenge of his own.
Jackie French is a prolific writer and the Australian Children’s Laureate; she was also, this year (2015), declared the "Senior Australian of the Year". Both are well deserved, and I hope she receives even more recognition. I was first introduced to French through her priceless picture book, Diary of a Wombat . But I had to wait till I'd moved back to Australia, in late 2013, before I could start reading her novels. The Road to Gundagai , the third book in the Matilda Saga, was one of my favourite novels of 2013 - it reads as a standalone, but I knew I had to go back to the beginning with this volume, A Waltz for Matilda.
A Waltz for Matilda deserves to be better known and more widely read than it currently is. It's a Young Adult historical fiction novel that is accessible to children and just as satisfying and wonderful a read for adults - it's not many authors who have such breadth in their style. French effortlessly captures the tone and feel of the era, both through period details and characterisation as well as through the way she writes. It's not that it's written in a faux "olde worlde" style - that would be naff to the highest degree - but that the articulate, intelligent, smoothly-flowing prose instantly grounds the reader in another era. French manages to incorporate the information her readers need to picture scenes and understand events, without the usual clunky exposition or conversations that sound manufactured and contrived. For instance, Matilda - a polite, considerate, well-mannered girl who knows how to write a letter and say 'thank you' - begins a correspondence with the lady she met at the Gibber's Creek 'station', Mrs Ellsmore, after Mrs Ellsmore discovers a shared tie with Matilda through her now-deceased Aunt Ann. Aunt Ann, a spinster of small income (especially compared to Mrs Ellsmore, who's upper class), is a member of the Women's Temperance League. Through these letters we get a sense of what's happening in Australia over the course of the next few decades, as Australia heads to Federation and then women get the vote.
This is a novel in which a lot is happening within a very simple, straight-forward narrative structure. It's a coming-of-age novel for Matilda, who grows into adulthood over the course of the book, from 1894 to 1915. It's also a treasure trove of insight into the history of the period, the dynamics of small rural towns, conflicts between class, gender and race, the rise of unions in Australia, the conditions of Aborigines, and of course the land. The land is one of French's main themes, throughout all her work - I recognised many details, beautifully rendered and incorporated into this story from 2010, from her 2013 nonfiction work, Let the Land Speak . This novel is educational while at the same time entertaining and engrossing.
A key scene towards the beginning of the novel is used as the fictional inspiration of the famous song, "Waltzing Matilda" (in real life, this was written by Banjo Patterson in 1895. There is a note at the beginning of the book that outlines the origins - both known and dodgy - of the song, but I did love the way it was woven into the story. It fitted perfectly. Needless to say, this is a book that made me cry as much as it made me smile. It connected with me from the opening lines, effortlessly, like that moment at the birth of your child when you hold in your arms a being that is a part of you, yet separate. (You know you're struggling to articulate a sense when you have to resort to such an intense, mind-blowing yet traumatic and over-represented event!) Perhaps it is better to say, simply, that whenever you find an author whose writing just fits perfectly with you, that you're so comfortable with and that ticks all your boxes (personally, I want stories that engage, entertain, challenge and confront me and make me feel), you know you'll never be disappointed.
One of the things I really loved about this story (and there were many) was the juxtaposition of Matilda actively listening and learning from Auntie Love, who taught her women's business, including how to find food where white people see dirt and dust, with that of Mr Drinkwater, whose character, early on at least, represents your typical white squatter. An authoritarian figure, like a local lord, who owns great swathes of land and controls pretty much everything, he too loves the land, but he also is too stubborn to learn a non-white way of farming it. The character arc for Mr Drinkwater was wonderful, and really enriches the story. Matilda is, of course, a real heroine. I can't imagine any twelve year old today doing what she did, none of it - this is another aspect of the story that makes you feel grounded in the 1890s, when children worked and often died on factory floors.
The Australian landscape is brought vividly to life, and whether you're Australian or not, it is both familiar and new. Familiar because it is the dry, drought-afflicted land so often talked about and photographed, and new because there's more to it than that. I loved that moment, early on, when Matilda puts aside her pre-conceived idea of beautiful, based on pictures in books - the pretty, neat English green fields and fluffy white sheep - for the glorious gold of her new land. It is, almost literally, a transfiguring moment, when she steps away from the English ideal into the Australian reality, and learns to appreciate it and see it. This helps to enable her to learn how to care for it, rather than mould it to fit an inappropriate ideal (something people still try and do today - if you're interested in learning more about that, I recommend you read Let the Land Speak).
I could go, but I'd rather let you read it for yourself and discover the joy within its pages. As for me, I've got books 2 and 4 (The Girl from Snowy River and To Love A Sunburnt Country) ready to go, and I can't wait to visit the next generations of The Matilda Saga.
When her mother dies, leaving her alone in the world, Matilda is left with few choices. Their landlady, Mrs Dawkins, is willing to let her stay if she works for her board, but Matilda has no intention of becoming a maid. Instead, she takes her few meagre possessions, learns which train to catch from her friend Tommy, a young boy with a knack for machinery and inventing, and heads off to find her father.
All she really knows is the name of her father's farm - Moura - and the nearest town, Gibber's Creek. When the train stops for Gibber's Creek, she finds no station or town, but the faint demarcation of a road which she might not have spotted if a wagon wasn't stopped at it. Three men are there to pick up a union speaker who rode the train with her; also waiting to be picked up are a well-dressed woman and her daughter, who's about Matilda's age. Matilda throws in her lot with the working men, who give her a lift into town where her father will be - it's a big night for the union, and her dad is the man who began it in Gibber's Creek.
When she does finally meet her father, it's a happy reunion. Her dad is full of plans, and Matilda learns a new version of the truth as to why she'd never met him before. But all too soon, a shocking and tragic event unfolds and Matilda must once again turn to her own abilities to survive in this harsh, drought-afflicted land. With the assistance of a local Aboriginal woman called Auntie Love and Auntie's nephew, Mr Sampson, and her dog, Hey You, Matilda turns her energy and willingness to learn to making her dad's dream for Moura come true. But it's not only the land she has to struggle against: her neighbour, the wealthy and powerful squatter Mr Drinkwater, presents a challenge of his own.
Jackie French is a prolific writer and the Australian Children’s Laureate; she was also, this year (2015), declared the "Senior Australian of the Year". Both are well deserved, and I hope she receives even more recognition. I was first introduced to French through her priceless picture book, Diary of a Wombat . But I had to wait till I'd moved back to Australia, in late 2013, before I could start reading her novels. The Road to Gundagai , the third book in the Matilda Saga, was one of my favourite novels of 2013 - it reads as a standalone, but I knew I had to go back to the beginning with this volume, A Waltz for Matilda.
A Waltz for Matilda deserves to be better known and more widely read than it currently is. It's a Young Adult historical fiction novel that is accessible to children and just as satisfying and wonderful a read for adults - it's not many authors who have such breadth in their style. French effortlessly captures the tone and feel of the era, both through period details and characterisation as well as through the way she writes. It's not that it's written in a faux "olde worlde" style - that would be naff to the highest degree - but that the articulate, intelligent, smoothly-flowing prose instantly grounds the reader in another era. French manages to incorporate the information her readers need to picture scenes and understand events, without the usual clunky exposition or conversations that sound manufactured and contrived. For instance, Matilda - a polite, considerate, well-mannered girl who knows how to write a letter and say 'thank you' - begins a correspondence with the lady she met at the Gibber's Creek 'station', Mrs Ellsmore, after Mrs Ellsmore discovers a shared tie with Matilda through her now-deceased Aunt Ann. Aunt Ann, a spinster of small income (especially compared to Mrs Ellsmore, who's upper class), is a member of the Women's Temperance League. Through these letters we get a sense of what's happening in Australia over the course of the next few decades, as Australia heads to Federation and then women get the vote.
This is a novel in which a lot is happening within a very simple, straight-forward narrative structure. It's a coming-of-age novel for Matilda, who grows into adulthood over the course of the book, from 1894 to 1915. It's also a treasure trove of insight into the history of the period, the dynamics of small rural towns, conflicts between class, gender and race, the rise of unions in Australia, the conditions of Aborigines, and of course the land. The land is one of French's main themes, throughout all her work - I recognised many details, beautifully rendered and incorporated into this story from 2010, from her 2013 nonfiction work, Let the Land Speak . This novel is educational while at the same time entertaining and engrossing.
A key scene towards the beginning of the novel is used as the fictional inspiration of the famous song, "Waltzing Matilda" (in real life, this was written by Banjo Patterson in 1895. There is a note at the beginning of the book that outlines the origins - both known and dodgy - of the song, but I did love the way it was woven into the story. It fitted perfectly. Needless to say, this is a book that made me cry as much as it made me smile. It connected with me from the opening lines, effortlessly, like that moment at the birth of your child when you hold in your arms a being that is a part of you, yet separate. (You know you're struggling to articulate a sense when you have to resort to such an intense, mind-blowing yet traumatic and over-represented event!) Perhaps it is better to say, simply, that whenever you find an author whose writing just fits perfectly with you, that you're so comfortable with and that ticks all your boxes (personally, I want stories that engage, entertain, challenge and confront me and make me feel), you know you'll never be disappointed.
One of the things I really loved about this story (and there were many) was the juxtaposition of Matilda actively listening and learning from Auntie Love, who taught her women's business, including how to find food where white people see dirt and dust, with that of Mr Drinkwater, whose character, early on at least, represents your typical white squatter. An authoritarian figure, like a local lord, who owns great swathes of land and controls pretty much everything, he too loves the land, but he also is too stubborn to learn a non-white way of farming it. The character arc for Mr Drinkwater was wonderful, and really enriches the story. Matilda is, of course, a real heroine. I can't imagine any twelve year old today doing what she did, none of it - this is another aspect of the story that makes you feel grounded in the 1890s, when children worked and often died on factory floors.
The Australian landscape is brought vividly to life, and whether you're Australian or not, it is both familiar and new. Familiar because it is the dry, drought-afflicted land so often talked about and photographed, and new because there's more to it than that. I loved that moment, early on, when Matilda puts aside her pre-conceived idea of beautiful, based on pictures in books - the pretty, neat English green fields and fluffy white sheep - for the glorious gold of her new land. It is, almost literally, a transfiguring moment, when she steps away from the English ideal into the Australian reality, and learns to appreciate it and see it. This helps to enable her to learn how to care for it, rather than mould it to fit an inappropriate ideal (something people still try and do today - if you're interested in learning more about that, I recommend you read Let the Land Speak).
I could go, but I'd rather let you read it for yourself and discover the joy within its pages. As for me, I've got books 2 and 4 (The Girl from Snowy River and To Love A Sunburnt Country) ready to go, and I can't wait to visit the next generations of The Matilda Saga.
January 27, 2012
I’m re-writing this review to do it justice, because I really loved this book. It covers so many poignant things about the history of my country (we celebrated Australia Day yesterday), and it’s well told with wonderful characters that you really get to know. They are real characters, each one independently taking the story where they will, you never feel that there’s an overbearing author pushing everyone about.
Jackie French is renowned for highly readable historical fiction with an Australian flavour, and this novel explores Australia’s early years as an emerging nation, around 1900… (how young is our nation as we know it!). It centres around twelve-year-old Matilda O’Halloran, who in 1894 leaves the city slums to go and find her father who is making his living on the land. It’s a time of unrest: drought and desperation have strained the relations between workers and landowners, the poor and the wealthy, and Matilda’s own father is wanted by the troopers.
French has taken inspiration from the well-known poem by A B Paterson, known to many through the famous Aussie tune Waltzing Matilda. She’s also incorporated events from actual history – just suspend your disbelief that so much of it involved our heroine. There’s the reality of life on the land, erratic at best: drought, flood, bushfires, and the constant battle to keep crops and livestock alive. There’s the political instability of a land of non-unified governments, the inequality between owners and workers, and the lack of money all round.
Telling the history of a nation through specific characters requires that circumstances work to make everything fall into place, and sometimes the events are rather unlikely. Some may call this contrived, but I think this is part of an author’s license, for they are making history into a story which helps us to personally engage with the reality far more than we would with an unimpassioned account.
One of the more unlikely friendships formed is between 15 year old Matilda and her elderly neighbour. Yet such comradeship is a natural part of our heritage, because the determination in both of them – one youthful and adventurous, and the other ingrained and stubborn – made them so similar that it was only natural that they became friends. There is something of our heritage in both of them.
French doesn’t shy away from the messy elements of history, illegitimate children born to unsanctioned relationships between whites and indigenous Australians, or the struggle of a rightful feminism that fought for respect where it was lacking, or even the racism towards the Aboriginal people that was the prevalent attitude of the time. But her history is not bitter, she is sensitive to these issues and makes them evident but does not allow them to devalue the good that happened as well.
One of most beautiful qualities that comes through her characters and their story is resilience. This has been claimed as an Aussie quality, and I only hope it is so. Her characters have no self-pitying victim complex, they ‘get on and have a go’. They are not afraid of hard work, and they are not afraid of death, death happened so quickly and so often that they had no choice but to make an effort and continue on. This is the same generous attitude I love in my dear Grandmother, and I feel this book could have been written about her and the strong line of Aussie women who came before her. It makes me consider how weak we can be facing our little problems, which are nothing compared to what was faced by everyone back then. Theirs was a story of starting out, failing, and beginning once again.
There’s a beautiful passage on the good that can come from suffering, because if there is no need, there is no solution sought.
If there had been no drought you’d never have come here. You’re a gift to me from the drought. Like many things. The drought gave us much more than it took. If there had been no drought there’d have been no shearers’ strike, no union. If times had been better no one would have worried about tariffs between states or kanakas coming in to take white men’s jobs. Without all of that we’d still be a collection of states, bumbling along side by side. The drought gave us Australia. p423
These characters radiate wisdom, something we young Australians can learn from so many of our ancestors. It’s about living in the present and throwing our all into what we do, learning to give and to suffer well, to really live instead of seeking false fantasies that are shallow and short lived and lead to bitterness.
There is also a great deal of wisdom in the romance in this book. Matilda asks the right questions about what freedom there should be in a relationship, about the need to accept some inevitable differences between people but not having false hope about differences that are irreconcilable. There is tremendous honesty when she considers a nice, romantic proposal – it was everything she had hoped for – with the objectivity it needs: knowing there are fundamental differences between them she realises her motives for getting married are perhaps not right. She sees that love can include failings, but not lies. And it needs courage to live it well, and sometimes even the courage to say no.
Her wisdom may feel old-fashioned to some, but she lives the same struggle that many young romantics face: a sweet but blind attraction, fed by wishful thinking, but dampened by a little doubt that won’t go away. Her characters have the courage to face that doubt, passing on invaluable experience to the reader.
How does French make ‘bone-deep integrity’ the most irresistible part of the hero’s character? She shows that waiting patiently – especially when one is longing to act – is the most effective fuel for a happy and lasting relationship. And it really is beautiful, especially when contrasted with the charm of false consolations. Yet these too can contribute to beauty of character when they are faced with honesty and integrity.
A charming yet substantial historical novel; even if written for teens, adults will find much to love in this story. www.GoodReadingGuide.com
March 15, 2014
Please note that my ratings are based on my enjoyment of the book.
This was wonderful. As I was reading this, I felt bad that with each page I flipped I would come closer to the end.
I'll try to write a proper review.
The Plot:
Well, after some unfortunate circumstances, meaning the death of her Mum, the murder of her Dad, Matilda finds herself with a plot of land. She hated it at first, but after her dad pointed out its beauty to her and because she doesn't want to work for the mean old guy, who unintentionally drove her father to kill himself, twelve year old Matilda decides to follow her Dad's dream of owning a sheep farm and sets one up herself. And guess what? The poor little girl becomes a successful young lady to a rich woman.
Though I did suspected early on that Mr Drinkwater and Auntie Love were somehow involved with each other in the past.
Characters: (Well, some of the characters, anyway.)
Matilda O'Hallaran: She's a plucky, independent and wise girl. I'd like to be like her, but I'm much too girly and "maarte" to be a proper farm lass like Matilda. I liked her very much.
Tommy Thompson: (I thought his first name was Thompson.) A sweet guy who is obviously sweet on the two years younger Matilda, he has a talent as a mechanist and as an inventor.
Mr Drinkwater
Seems like a bad guy at first because he unintentionally killed Matilda's dad, his GRANDSON, but he proves to have Hidden Depths when he's kind to Matilda. It turns out that he married Auntie Love and gave her her name, and she and him are Matilda's great grandparents, making her about an eighth Aboriginal.
Auntie Love
I consider her my favourite character from them all. When she died, I wailed. A Cool Old Aboriginal Lady, who turns out to be Matilda's Great Grandmother and her father's maternal Grandmother, who left Mr Drinkwater, her husband, when their youngest daughter died.
Doo Lee
A "Chinaman" who gives the young Matilda a ride to Moura. He gives her veggies, too. Though he didn't appear much after the ride, he's pretty important nonetheless, as he plants Matilda's vegetable garden and his wife Patricia becomes a friend of Matilda, though they're not as close nor is their relationship prominent in the book. But she did invite her to her son's wedding to a white girl.
There are plenty of other characters, but I decided to add only the ones who stood out the most to me.
Oh, and Matilda's Dad kills himself by drowning himself in the billabong so he won't be arrested for doing something he didn't do. Wasn't very nice for Matilda, but though her road to independence started when she left the city when her Mum died to find Dad, that scene really got it moving.
The Romance (Cough, cough, the Love Triangle):
So, as the story spans over several decades from 1894 to 1915, of course innnocent-in-ways Matilda would grow up to be quite the young woman. It helps that not only is she quite beautiful when she gets older, but loaded, too. Betty Tommy, I suspect, has fancied Matilda since their time in the jam factory, but she seems him originally as a brother. Meanwhile, Veronica James is a bit of a liar (understatement), proud, and just like his Dad, but he loves Drinkwater and has this brightness about him. At first, I was a Team Tommy, then after he tells Matilda that she was like an amazon when she helps to save their sheep in the bushfire, I was shipping James/Matilda, even when he lied to Matilda about shooting Natives, I shamefully admit. But, I was back to shipping TommyxMatilda when James went away to fight in the Boer War. But Tommy marries another girl and James dies when he's executed by the English for shooting two Boers, and it looks for a while that Matilda'll become an old maid, when she does eventually see Tommy again, widowed and lost one son and with his daughter, their relationship ends with a happy note as the waltz to the Waltzing Matilda. Yup, they WILL get together after the credits.
Negatives:
The time skips iffed me a bit. I suppose it has to do with the fact that the first part of the book just goes from each moment to the next. I liked the way it was, and it was a rather large change. But aside from that, I enjoyed it a LOT.
Overall:
All in all, Ienjoyed LOVED this book very much, and the characters became real to me, as did the story. Jackie French has really outdone herself here in this amazing novel. I encourage you, reader, to pick it up and don't be afraid to dream!
This was wonderful. As I was reading this, I felt bad that with each page I flipped I would come closer to the end.
I'll try to write a proper review.
The Plot:
Well, after some unfortunate circumstances, meaning the death of her Mum, the murder of her Dad, Matilda finds herself with a plot of land. She hated it at first, but after her dad pointed out its beauty to her and because she doesn't want to work for the mean old guy, who unintentionally drove her father to kill himself, twelve year old Matilda decides to follow her Dad's dream of owning a sheep farm and sets one up herself. And guess what? The poor little girl becomes a successful young lady to a rich woman.
Though I did suspected early on that Mr Drinkwater and Auntie Love were somehow involved with each other in the past.
Characters: (Well, some of the characters, anyway.)
Matilda O'Hallaran: She's a plucky, independent and wise girl. I'd like to be like her, but I'm much too girly and "maarte" to be a proper farm lass like Matilda. I liked her very much.
Tommy Thompson: (I thought his first name was Thompson.) A sweet guy who is obviously sweet on the two years younger Matilda, he has a talent as a mechanist and as an inventor.
Mr Drinkwater
Seems like a bad guy at first because he unintentionally killed Matilda's dad, his GRANDSON, but he proves to have Hidden Depths when he's kind to Matilda. It turns out that he married Auntie Love and gave her her name, and she and him are Matilda's great grandparents, making her about an eighth Aboriginal.
Auntie Love
I consider her my favourite character from them all. When she died, I wailed. A Cool Old Aboriginal Lady, who turns out to be Matilda's Great Grandmother and her father's maternal Grandmother, who left Mr Drinkwater, her husband, when their youngest daughter died.
Doo Lee
A "Chinaman" who gives the young Matilda a ride to Moura. He gives her veggies, too. Though he didn't appear much after the ride, he's pretty important nonetheless, as he plants Matilda's vegetable garden and his wife Patricia becomes a friend of Matilda, though they're not as close nor is their relationship prominent in the book. But she did invite her to her son's wedding to a white girl.
There are plenty of other characters, but I decided to add only the ones who stood out the most to me.
Oh, and Matilda's Dad kills himself by drowning himself in the billabong so he won't be arrested for doing something he didn't do. Wasn't very nice for Matilda, but though her road to independence started when she left the city when her Mum died to find Dad, that scene really got it moving.
The Romance (Cough, cough, the Love Triangle):
So, as the story spans over several decades from 1894 to 1915, of course innnocent-in-ways Matilda would grow up to be quite the young woman. It helps that not only is she quite beautiful when she gets older, but loaded, too. Betty Tommy, I suspect, has fancied Matilda since their time in the jam factory, but she seems him originally as a brother. Meanwhile, Veronica James is a bit of a liar (understatement), proud, and just like his Dad, but he loves Drinkwater and has this brightness about him. At first, I was a Team Tommy, then after he tells Matilda that she was like an amazon when she helps to save their sheep in the bushfire, I was shipping James/Matilda, even when he lied to Matilda about shooting Natives, I shamefully admit. But, I was back to shipping TommyxMatilda when James went away to fight in the Boer War. But Tommy marries another girl and James dies when he's executed by the English for shooting two Boers, and it looks for a while that Matilda'll become an old maid, when she does eventually see Tommy again, widowed and lost one son and with his daughter, their relationship ends with a happy note as the waltz to the Waltzing Matilda. Yup, they WILL get together after the credits.
Negatives:
The time skips iffed me a bit. I suppose it has to do with the fact that the first part of the book just goes from each moment to the next. I liked the way it was, and it was a rather large change. But aside from that, I enjoyed it a LOT.
Overall:
All in all, I
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2011
‘And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong, …’
This novel opens in 1894, when Matilda O’Halloran is living in a city slum with her mother. When her mother dies, Matilda leaves the city to find her father and his farm. Matilda finds her father, but then loses him in circumstances just like the song:
‘Up jumped the swagman and sprang into that billabong,
‘You’ll never take me alive’ said he’
And so, Matilda is on her own. And despite the best advice of the neighbours, including the rich landowner Mr Drinkwater who was part of the billabong fiasco, Matilda is determined to stay on her father’s farm. With the help of an old aboriginal woman, Auntie Love, and the support of others Matilda manages to make a go of it.
But this novel is more than just one girl’s success against the odds. It is also the story of the positive and negative aspects of how Australia became a nation. The novel draws on a number of industrial issues, including factory work in the city as well as the shearer’s strike of 1894 and the ‘Federation Drought’ which started in the 1890s and ended early in the 20th century. Matilda’s story also incorporates the treatment of women, of the indigenous peoples, and touches on the treatment of the Chinese as Australia draws close to federation. There are other historical snapshots as well: Australian soldiers in the Boer War and inventions that have enabled Australians to adapt to life in what can be a harsh and unforgiving country.
Matilda succeeds in what is very much a man’s world, and along the way finds friends, forgiveness and love.
This novel is described as juvenile fiction, and it touches on many of the themes of Australia’s history between 1894 and 1915. While its inspiration is the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, the story moves into the events and times that inspired the writing of the song (by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson). Ms French also includes a set of useful notes on the text providing points on some of the historical elements of the novel. I suspect that many adults would also enjoy the story as much as I did.
‘The past is not always comfortable, but it is part of who we are.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This novel opens in 1894, when Matilda O’Halloran is living in a city slum with her mother. When her mother dies, Matilda leaves the city to find her father and his farm. Matilda finds her father, but then loses him in circumstances just like the song:
‘Up jumped the swagman and sprang into that billabong,
‘You’ll never take me alive’ said he’
And so, Matilda is on her own. And despite the best advice of the neighbours, including the rich landowner Mr Drinkwater who was part of the billabong fiasco, Matilda is determined to stay on her father’s farm. With the help of an old aboriginal woman, Auntie Love, and the support of others Matilda manages to make a go of it.
But this novel is more than just one girl’s success against the odds. It is also the story of the positive and negative aspects of how Australia became a nation. The novel draws on a number of industrial issues, including factory work in the city as well as the shearer’s strike of 1894 and the ‘Federation Drought’ which started in the 1890s and ended early in the 20th century. Matilda’s story also incorporates the treatment of women, of the indigenous peoples, and touches on the treatment of the Chinese as Australia draws close to federation. There are other historical snapshots as well: Australian soldiers in the Boer War and inventions that have enabled Australians to adapt to life in what can be a harsh and unforgiving country.
Matilda succeeds in what is very much a man’s world, and along the way finds friends, forgiveness and love.
This novel is described as juvenile fiction, and it touches on many of the themes of Australia’s history between 1894 and 1915. While its inspiration is the song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, the story moves into the events and times that inspired the writing of the song (by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson). Ms French also includes a set of useful notes on the text providing points on some of the historical elements of the novel. I suspect that many adults would also enjoy the story as much as I did.
‘The past is not always comfortable, but it is part of who we are.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 13, 2010
Set in 1894, A Waltz for Matilda begins when twelve-year-old Matilda flees the city slums and the ghosts of her guardians to find her unknown ‘golden’ father and his farm. Matilda encounters the eccentric Mr. Gotobed and Mr. Doo on her travels to Moura but her father’s home is not the safe haven she thought it would be with the land in a state of turmoil, with the shearers on strike, Mr. Drinkwater looking for someone to blame, a drought robbing families of their farms and the stirrings of a Union in the air.
The hardships of the life on the land are depicted with brilliant accuracy where bushfires burn, but flowers bloom in their wake. A Waltz for Matilda is ultimately a story of the minorities; the women, Indigenous and Chinese who had very little say in Australia’s federation but help make Australia what it is today.
A beautifully crafted story based on true historical events told through the eyes of the strongest, fiercest heroine I’ve ever met. A Waltz for Matilda is a heart-warming Australian tale filled with battlers, old biscuits and the most compelling female protagonist to be found in Young Adult literature.
The hardships of the life on the land are depicted with brilliant accuracy where bushfires burn, but flowers bloom in their wake. A Waltz for Matilda is ultimately a story of the minorities; the women, Indigenous and Chinese who had very little say in Australia’s federation but help make Australia what it is today.
A beautifully crafted story based on true historical events told through the eyes of the strongest, fiercest heroine I’ve ever met. A Waltz for Matilda is a heart-warming Australian tale filled with battlers, old biscuits and the most compelling female protagonist to be found in Young Adult literature.
February 3, 2024
Still just as good as four years ago - Jackie French is such a great storyteller.
July 13, 2024
I forgot how much I love this book aha
February 8, 2018
I read this on my way back to the US from Australia, so I had visions of gum trees and the dry countryside in my brain. I have enjoyed quite a few of Jackie French's books. I find historical fiction to be much more interesting than the history lessons I was subjected to in virtually all of my classes in grade school and beyond. That said, I do have a few things that make me uneasy about this book.
Jackie French acknowledges in the introduction and the notes at the end of the book that the racism depicted in the book must be there, because otherwise the book would be too far from historical reality. I agree. In fact, I find that the racism has been toned down a bit too much. I am not sure that a 12 year old girl would find it so easy to discard her racist heritage. It is a fine line to tread and Ms. French does it well: portray the racism fairly accurately, but show the heroine as not accepting of it. But I would have liked to see a bit more internal struggle with it in Matilda.
The second thing that I have reservations about is the character of Mr. Drinkwater, the elder. After finding out the relationships between all of the major characters, I still don't quite understand why the critical early scene plays out as it did.
And one minor criticism from an American: I wish the book had included the full text of the song in one of the appendices.
But I did enjoy the book and I finished it on the plane flights, even though I was massively tired. I will be looking for the sequels, even though it is difficult to find Australian children's and young adult's literature in the U.S.
Jackie French acknowledges in the introduction and the notes at the end of the book that the racism depicted in the book must be there, because otherwise the book would be too far from historical reality. I agree. In fact, I find that the racism has been toned down a bit too much. I am not sure that a 12 year old girl would find it so easy to discard her racist heritage. It is a fine line to tread and Ms. French does it well: portray the racism fairly accurately, but show the heroine as not accepting of it. But I would have liked to see a bit more internal struggle with it in Matilda.
The second thing that I have reservations about is the character of Mr. Drinkwater, the elder. After finding out the relationships between all of the major characters, I still don't quite understand why the critical early scene plays out as it did.
And one minor criticism from an American: I wish the book had included the full text of the song in one of the appendices.
But I did enjoy the book and I finished it on the plane flights, even though I was massively tired. I will be looking for the sequels, even though it is difficult to find Australian children's and young adult's literature in the U.S.
May 27, 2019
Trigger warnings: death of a parent, workplace injury, racism, racial slurs, animal death, bushfire, war,
Uh, wow. I picked this up somewhat reluctantly because it's the first book in a long series and I felt like I should read at least one book in the series. I didn't anticipate this being much more than a 3 star read for me based on the blurb and the "sorry about all the historically accurate but now deeply offensive racist language!" warning at the beginning, so colour me surprised when I flew through its nearly 500 pages in a matter of hours.
I think part of the reason why I was initially reluctant to pick this up is that it says on the back of the book that Matilda is 12. But she doesn't remain 12 for long as the book actually predominantly focuses on her teen years but ends when she's in her 30s.
There are all manner of challenges thrown at Matilda along the way, and she handles them all wonderfully. French does an amazing job of portraying place as a character, and she effortlessly weaves Australian history into the story. I loved all the characters and I loved being in Matilda's world. I've already picked up book 2 and I can't wait to see where the Matilda Saga goes from here.
Uh, wow. I picked this up somewhat reluctantly because it's the first book in a long series and I felt like I should read at least one book in the series. I didn't anticipate this being much more than a 3 star read for me based on the blurb and the "sorry about all the historically accurate but now deeply offensive racist language!" warning at the beginning, so colour me surprised when I flew through its nearly 500 pages in a matter of hours.
I think part of the reason why I was initially reluctant to pick this up is that it says on the back of the book that Matilda is 12. But she doesn't remain 12 for long as the book actually predominantly focuses on her teen years but ends when she's in her 30s.
There are all manner of challenges thrown at Matilda along the way, and she handles them all wonderfully. French does an amazing job of portraying place as a character, and she effortlessly weaves Australian history into the story. I loved all the characters and I loved being in Matilda's world. I've already picked up book 2 and I can't wait to see where the Matilda Saga goes from here.
December 22, 2023
Re-read this book cause it’s an old fave, will never get tired of this story- such beautiful description of the Australian land and spirit, with Matilda being a very inspirational protagonist.
July 9, 2025
so yummy 🫶🫶
March 2, 2014
Waltz for Matilda, written by Jackie French, is a beautifully written, captivating novel about Matilda, a young Australian girl who runs away from the city to join her father in the outback. Life is hard out there and happy endings are sparse, however, Matilda works hard, is strong and thoughtful and courageous!
Jackie French recommended I read this book of hers first, and it is truly wonderful. I have recommended it for younger readers as well as older readers because it’s story is accessible and age appropriate for all readers.
The book is set in Australia, during the early Colonial times. She's tough, and strong, beautiful and proves herself to be a great Australian woman.
Jackie French recommended I read this book of hers first, and it is truly wonderful. I have recommended it for younger readers as well as older readers because it’s story is accessible and age appropriate for all readers.
The book is set in Australia, during the early Colonial times. She's tough, and strong, beautiful and proves herself to be a great Australian woman.
March 17, 2015
Matildas
The book Matildas Jackie French is about a girl that’s trying to find her father, while living with her mother, who was ill. After Matildas mum became ill they had to move in with her aunt, as they couldn’t afford to pay the rent.it wasn’t long after, that her aunt had a tragic accident and died. Matilda’s life gets harder with there mum being sick and she having no one to care for her. After a couple of months her mother died. She had been working at the jam factory with a boy called Tom. Tom had given her a home to live in and would of given her food to eat. Matilda is a very good book you can learn a lot about Australia I recommend you reading this book have fun
The book Matildas Jackie French is about a girl that’s trying to find her father, while living with her mother, who was ill. After Matildas mum became ill they had to move in with her aunt, as they couldn’t afford to pay the rent.it wasn’t long after, that her aunt had a tragic accident and died. Matilda’s life gets harder with there mum being sick and she having no one to care for her. After a couple of months her mother died. She had been working at the jam factory with a boy called Tom. Tom had given her a home to live in and would of given her food to eat. Matilda is a very good book you can learn a lot about Australia I recommend you reading this book have fun
July 27, 2020
I turned the pages with increasing speed. Found the main character too perfect for my liking and some of the plot a bit farcical, but an entertaining piece of YA historical fiction.
August 20, 2022
Solid five stars 🌟
September 26, 2021
This book was unexpectedly really racist. It perpetuates derogatory stereotypes of and racist attitudes towards Aboriginals, as well as other cultures who have played a significant role in Australia's recent history. While portraying such attitudes and stereotypes would be part of the story, especially given when it is set, the author repeatedly set up opportunities for development of more socially progressive ideas, but never did. From using blood quantum to justify claims, to perpetuating fear-based ideas about "wild" Aborigines. There is a discussion section at the end of the book, where racism is addressed - the only aspect of the deeply ingrained racism of the book that is addressed is the occasional use of racist terms for Aboriginals, which are used to portray the reality of the time. However, everything else is ignored or glossed over.
This kind of representation and condoning of the deeply embedded racist attitudes and beliefs in Australian culture, which chooses to cast a blind eye to the cultural and social genocide of our history and the ongoing implications today, is perpetuating the problem and not helping us move forwards or do better.
This kind of representation and condoning of the deeply embedded racist attitudes and beliefs in Australian culture, which chooses to cast a blind eye to the cultural and social genocide of our history and the ongoing implications today, is perpetuating the problem and not helping us move forwards or do better.
June 23, 2021
I love how Australia—and her history!—come to life in this book. This was a re-read for me, but I found it just as fascinating the second time as the first. I wouldn’t be surprised if I read it again sometime in the future. Jackie French has a way with words that draws you into her setting, and I found her portrayal of everything spot-on and the story gripping. Matilda was delightful and relatable—and each time something bad happened, I wanted to try to help her through it. But overall, it was very good, with a satisfying ending. For the most part, a highly recommended read (see below).
Note for parents: I wouldn’t recommend this for younger readers. There is a good amount of language in here (which is probably pretty typical of the kinds of people represented here), and some of the scenes are pretty intense.
Note for parents: I wouldn’t recommend this for younger readers. There is a good amount of language in here (which is probably pretty typical of the kinds of people represented here), and some of the scenes are pretty intense.
June 13, 2019
A beautiful book - and a fascinating look at life in late 19th century-early 20th century Australia. I don't normally go for Australian historical fiction and this is my first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised! A rollicking tale full of twists and turns, just when I thought I had the plot all figured out, something would come along and shock me to the core because I hadn't foreseen it coming. I had to keep reading so I could find out how it ended. The climax was unexpected, although a tad convenient and the resolution tied everything in a neat bow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am pondering continuing with the series, although Matilda won't be the main character anymore. I give this one 5 stars!
February 21, 2026
As always, I love Jackie French's writing! The way she writes about Australia, and about the time period in the story is so good! I also really love how she made her own story out of Banjo Patterson's poem, and she also explained the phrase 'Waltzing Matilda'. I also really love how she has notes about the book at the end, and these are about the food, environment, animals and events mentioned in the book, and how she has talen real stories from that time period and portrayed that ih her own characters. This is a very good book, and I highly recommend!
May 29, 2017
Epic young adult novel with a wide ranging history of the natural land, race relations, conquest of the Aboriginal people, women's rights--all around the time of the federation/Australian independence. Wish it didn't end with the heroes rich and in love, but the rest of the education is nicely from the bottom up, union/working men alliances as the heroic element.
May 5, 2025
4.25 🌟 a really nice ode to country and the nameless women who fought so hard behind the scenes. a nice reminder of the humble beginnings of our small country, as well as a love letter to the landscape we've grown to love so dearly.
such an easy read and one where I have missed multiple train stops because I was lost in moura
such an easy read and one where I have missed multiple train stops because I was lost in moura
August 3, 2025
Incredible storytelling alert! The way French weaves Australian history, a love of Australian bush (reminded me of Holly Ringland in that way) and Banjo Paterson’s/ Henry Lawson’s works, shapes up to be great reading.
Keen to continue on with the series, she is a historical fiction masterclass. She does deserve far better covers though, that’s for sure.
Keen to continue on with the series, she is a historical fiction masterclass. She does deserve far better covers though, that’s for sure.
December 7, 2024
Said to be a “love song to Australia” and I agree. It was lovely, engaging, tragic, and hopeful. I loved the themes and Matilda’s grit, determination, and individuality. I loved learning more about the founding of Australia and the land itself. Such a great read.
January 25, 2019
A well written story.
July 8, 2024
I never would have gravitated to this book (thank you book club) but it absolutely took a hold of my heart and shattered it in the best way possible.
Such a beautiful read.
Such a beautiful read.
Read
July 6, 2025This has been on my to-read list for years!
Well worth the wait and the perfect audio book for a drive across the Nullarbor :-)
Well worth the wait and the perfect audio book for a drive across the Nullarbor :-)
Read
July 29, 2025I was obsessed with these back in the day
January 7, 2026
STANDS THE TEST OF TIME!
March 5, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. Although fiction it was based around multiple true events. Such strong lovable characters, great acting and such an epic story around such a well known song.
You are amazing Jackie French. Brilliant children’s writer, author for adults and champion for women especially.
You are amazing Jackie French. Brilliant children’s writer, author for adults and champion for women especially.
January 27, 2021
Enjoyable read. Should be in schools to encourage young people on how to achieve some times the impossible. Loved the character Matilda.
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