Wild Chicory in Aussie Readers

Nov 23, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, contemporary-fiction, reviewing-by-request, arc, own-read, gift-from-author, novella, 2016-release

It was 1976 and the usual hot summer in Australia – living in Marrickville high on a hill overlooking Sydney, young Brigid wasn’t sure if her beloved Grandma Nell would ever be happy again. Their Christmas had been a joyous one, but just five days later Granddad was gone. Brigid hated to see her lively Grandma so sad; she knew though if she could get her to tell some of her stories she’d be happier…

In September 1912 the Kennedy family finally sailed into Sydney after a long sea voyage from Irela It was 1976 and the usual hot summer in Australia – living in Marrickville high on a hill overlooking Sydney, young Brigid wasn’t sure if her beloved Grandma Nell would ever be happy again. Their Christmas had been a joyous one, but just five days later Granddad was gone. Brigid hated to see her lively Grandma so sad; she knew though if she could get her to tell some of her stories she’d be happier…

In September 1912 the Kennedy family finally sailed into Sydney after a long sea voyage from Ireland. There were fourteen children in the family and thirteen of them were boys. The only girl, who had been born at number thirteen, was Nell. Lively, with bright red curly hair, she was loved and spoiled by all. Then along came Peter; born on Australian soil not long after their arrival Pete was a chubby baby and fussed over lovingly. When tragedy struck one year into their new life in Australia, Brigid Kennedy was left to raise her brood of fourteen children alone.

As Grandma Nell wove her magical tales of the past, both happy and sad, her granddaughter Brigid learned more about her heritage, the land of her ancestors – there were the stories of a dreadful war, of struggling to make ends meet - stories of a deep love which was woven throughout the entire family; lots of fun and happiness interspersed with the usual mischief from the children as well as sadness and grief. But most of all, it was stories of an immigrant family making a new life in a new land…

Aussie author Kim Kelly has written a moving and poignant novella with Wild Chicory. Though it is fiction, the two main characters Brigid and Nell have little pieces of the author and her grandmother Lillian blended throughout. Switching between time frames, it is a beautiful story, deeply emotional, and it gives an insight into how the author started her own journey of writing stories. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Wild Chicory – and I love the cover too!

If you’d like to view the author’s other books (all of which I’ve loved!) click here: http://www.theauthorpeople.com/kim-ke... I believe the paperback of Wild Chicory will be available somewhere in January 2016.

With thanks to the author for my proof copy to read and review.
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Mar 15, 2016 Anne_MB rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-fiction, 2016

A beautiful, absorbing novel that feels like a true family and social history. Interesting, emotional, so much for me as a reader to relate to and definitely one to read again.
I loved this little book so much and will be searching out the author's other books.
Thanks to The Reading Room and The Author People for my copy. ...more

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Jan 27, 2016 Janine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a wonderful book this is! It's a novella about an Irish family who originally immigrated from Ireland to Australia . It's told in a short story form and bounces from one generation to another but all comes together in the end. I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy of this book by the author Kim Kelly, thank you Kim for this little treasure. Another example of what fine talent we have here in Australia ...more

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Oct 01, 2020 Helen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the first book from Kim Kelly that I have read, and it won’t be the last and lucky for me I have a few to catch up on, this is a story about families the struggles they go through, we go from Ireland to Australia, there are world wars to go through, famine and depression but families are families not perfect but love is always there.

We meet a young girl Brigid in her grandmother’s home in Marrickville and her grandmother is very sad and Brigid is doing what she can to make her happy, it ...more

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Jan 25, 2016 Kira marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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Apr 05, 2016 Lauredhel marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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May 01, 2016 Jules marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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