Granville: A Mother's Grief in Aussie Readers

Aug 08, 2011 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-read

How does one review a book of this type? How could June possibly have survived the terrible death of her two beautiful daughters?

The story of the Granville Train Disaster certainly took on new meaning reading about June’s life, and the lives of her girls, Cathy and Lyndy. The beautiful stories of their lives, loves, laughter and wonderful memories before 18th January 1977, was all June had to hang on to. But that wasn’t enough, and in all the years that have passed, the devastation and despair d ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2011 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

Shelves: aussie-author

The Granville Train Disaster still holds the dubious distinction of being the worst rail accident in Australia. On a suburban line, during morning commuter rush hour, poor track maintenance contributed to the train derailing and smashing into a pylon, causing a road bridge to collapse on several carriages. On that day in January 1977, 83 people died and hundreds more were injured.
While my family lived in Perth at the time of the disaster, my father was raised in Auburn and he lost three friends The Granville Train Disaster still holds the dubious distinction of being the worst rail accident in Australia. On a suburban line, during morning commuter rush hour, poor track maintenance contributed to the train derailing and smashing into a pylon, causing a road bridge to collapse on several carriages. On that day in January 1977, 83 people died and hundreds more were injured.
While my family lived in Perth at the time of the disaster, my father was raised in Auburn and he lost three friends in the derailment. My grandfather, who had been an army medic, helped in the recovery of victims so even though I was very young when the disaster occurred, I have always known about it.
June Ollernshaw lost both her daughters in the tragic event, nineteen year old newlywed Cathy and 18 eighteen year old Lyndy, both on their way to work in the inner city. Granville: A Mother's Grief is June's story, now in her mid seventies, she writes of her beautiful daughters, their untimely deaths and the grief and pain she has lived with since that moment.
June's early life was a happy one, coddled and protected by her parents she had a naive view of life. She married John at nineteen and despite being told she would never have children due to the removal of an ovary at fifteen, she quickly became pregnant and gave birth to Cathy in 1957, quickly followed by Lyndy in 1958. June was thrilled with her beautiful girls but her marriage was falling apart. Her husband became abusive and he was finally diagnosed with a mental illness and institutionalized for long periods at a time. Despite the difficulties June experienced she found an inner strength that allowed her to support her girls. In the mid 60's tragedy struck the small family, first June's mother succumbed to heart trouble and then ten year old Cathy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to endure surgery and chemotherapy. The doctors warned June Cathy had just six months to live, but she beat the odds and recovered, though no-one knew if it would last. Cathy's marriage to her long time sweetheart in 1976 was a time of joy for June but just a year later both Cathy and her sister were killed when the train carriage they were travelling in was crushed under masses of rubble.
June was naturally devastated by the loss of her children and raged against fate. This memoir details the her crippling sense of loss as she tried to rebuild her life without her precious daughters.
June's voice is painfully raw and uncensored. Her pain bleeds from the pages of the novel, but through it shines her incredible love for her daughters and an admirable determination of spirit. Though June could have simply given up she found the strength to live on though the course of her life was very much altered. Unable to accept the tragedy, her grief sabotages her accomplishments,and she must reinvent herself repeatedly. In this novel, more than thirty years after the Granville Train Disaster, June is reflecting on her life and the path she has taken.

Granville: A Mother's Grief is an emotionally raw memoir. June's story serves as both a tribute to Cathy and Lyndy, and an inspiration to those who have suffered similar tragedies. I admire her bravery and thank June for sharing her story. ...more

1 like · Like · see review