tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post4401598850727065040..comments2024-03-23T18:50:06.402+11:00Comments on journey & destination: I Can Jump Puddles by Alan Marshall (1955)Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-89928274703584102592020-02-25T20:34:44.678+11:002020-02-25T20:34:44.678+11:00Hi Patrushka, thank you so much for taking the tim...Hi Patrushka, thank you so much for taking the time to comment and sharing your enthusiasm for the author's work. Thanks also for mentioning those other books. I'll see if I can find them. I could imagine him being a bit of a character and it's sad to think his work isn't more widely known, especially his children's books. His overcoming attitude and the joy of life he had is very inspiring. Thanks again!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-43602330649691415512020-02-24T22:23:23.316+11:002020-02-24T22:23:23.316+11:00It was so refreshing to come across this article w...It was so refreshing to come across this article which pays tribute to the work of Alan Marshall and recognises its relevance for today. It is not just ‘I Can Jump Puddles’ which has been neglected, but the whole body of his work ranging from the second and third parts of his autobiography, the short stories, and his stories about his experiences with our indigenous people who, in turn, named him ‘Gurawilla’ which translates as storyteller. His story 'Wild Red Horses', as well as the children's book 'Lost in the Bush' are classic stories about bushfires which could well serve as cautionary tales for today. Some may not know that he was commissioned to write the story of Sidney Myer and The Myer Emporium which, in spite of some heavy editing, survives as a fascinating and meticulously researched historical picture of a Melbourne icon.<br /><br />I worked as Secretary to Alan Marshall for ten years, when he lived in Eltham.Patrushkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415272629880685532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-64308732965690511012019-02-20T12:15:38.074+11:002019-02-20T12:15:38.074+11:00I agree with Carol. people today are too fragile ...I agree with Carol. people today are too fragile too mollycoddled. Jill McNamara, Omeo.<br /><br />Jill McNamaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-34317865260284055192018-01-31T16:23:26.505+11:002018-01-31T16:23:26.505+11:00Hi John, I read this book aloud and edited parts, ...Hi John, I read this book aloud and edited parts, as I mentioned in a comment above, so the parental guidance was there :) Every generation has its blindspots and the racism in many of the older books written in previous generations was a significant blindspot. However, it happened, and I think books like this, judiciously used, are appropriate.'A Fortunate Life' by Albert Fahey is another Australian classic that raises similar issues, but in both books the overarching themes presented - children with disabilities, strength in adversity, plus the historical viewpoint, are important and leaving these books unread because they clash with the ideals of our own culture seems false to me. I appreciate you commenting & thanks for taking the time to do so.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-20835420895398517732018-01-31T09:51:53.072+11:002018-01-31T09:51:53.072+11:00This is not a children's book. The language an...This is not a children's book. The language and racism is not appropriate for children today. You need to be a good Google searcher for a lot of phrases and words. God, blacks and Measurement lingo need parental guidance at least. I finally got around to reading it and I am 50+ year old teacher.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738441294284671038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-11257927146286677052017-06-06T17:01:53.169+10:002017-06-06T17:01:53.169+10:00From what I remember, Kirsten, it was mostly his D...From what I remember, Kirsten, it was mostly his Dad's attitude & ? some of the men in the hospital in the earlier part of the book but I read it aloud so edited bits & pieces. A Fortunate Life was similar. The author rejected God after his experience of Gallipoli. I edited that also for my youngest but I got her older brother to read it & then we talked about it. he was about 15 at the time, I think.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820925595506920754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-23224720453278690272017-06-06T16:39:19.508+10:002017-06-06T16:39:19.508+10:00I started to read the book but was concerned with ...I started to read the book but was concerned with his attitude towards God in the book. So I moved on to others books for the kids. Maybe I should pick it up again. How did it end Faith-wise?Kirsten Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231118250915230891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-21758911710731639482015-07-15T07:30:31.855+10:002015-07-15T07:30:31.855+10:00Haven't read this book for years, you've r...Haven't read this book for years, you've re-inspired me to pick it up again.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04448595911801738792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-77679342625331231922015-06-24T09:54:46.411+10:002015-06-24T09:54:46.411+10:00Great synopsis Carol ... I want to go out and read...Great synopsis Carol ... I want to go out and read it now. Odd how we have these great Australian classics that are so relevant to today, we hear know the names of the authors but not the content of their books.<br /><br />I will keeping this one in mind for later!<br />Thanks<br />MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7546783121640385268.post-59459302751520156932015-06-22T23:35:14.258+10:002015-06-22T23:35:14.258+10:00Hi Carol,
Thanks for another informative book rev...Hi Carol,<br /><br />Thanks for another informative book review. And while of course I am enjoying all the reviews, I must admit I particularly like hearing about the forgotten Australian classics.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Angela<br /><br />Angelanoreply@blogger.com