[.ca] Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the ... (ISBN 0786887842)

The longest walk:
It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated \othe film was waiting\c and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history. The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of "superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of "assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking. There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance. To those complaining the book is too brief, one can only ask: "What would you add?". This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its "White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. \ostephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada\c

MOLLY IS STRONG and that's due to her heritage:
Words cannot explain how this story blessed my soul. I love(d) Molly, Gracie, and Daisy as if they were my kids. Molly made me proud and also all schools should teach about Aborigines because I had never heard of them nor their history until I tunred the channel one day. I saw it maybe three times. and said to heck with it because I kept missing the beginning. I said I'm going to order this book because those little angels were amazing. The Canadian reviewer said it best; DO NOT RUSH THROUGH THIS BOOK because this is an extremely important story. I am going to spread awareness obo the Aborignals, the Mardujara tribe, and the people of Jigalong. Do you realize I finished the book Sunday, and I am now readingit again? I will read the book until I get sick of it; over and over. Now, the movie producer changed a lot of important events around. In the movie Gracie was captured on those tracks, but in the book it stated that DAISY WILLINGLY went with some woman to meet her mother, but a few days later that woman turned her in; the producer meant to say Gracie was caught. The producer mixed Gracie up with Daisy. Gracie is now deceased, so Daisy is the one who was in the film with Molly. Mrs. Pinkerton said this was ONE of the greatest escapes of all time; well she was wrong because THIS WAS IN FACT THEE GREATEST ESCAPE OF ALL TIMES, and in my opinion it was the longst walk EVER IN THE WORLD (not just Australia). No one in the USA has ever walked that far, and in that condition. NEVER! Those babies were mentally strong and I hope the Lord will bless the rest of their days with rest and relaxation. I also hope Mrs. Pinkerton was able to talk the two remaining survivors into going on a nice vacation outside of Austrailia. I doubt it though because at the end of the movie Dgudu said "I'm never leaving this place again--I'm staying right here in Jigalong". God, I love her and the younger sisters/cousins as well. They sure blessed my soul through their courage and willpower. You must count your blessings people. These women lived a hard life, and then the "Protector" of Aboriginals had the audacity to take Molly and the author later in life. What is this I'll teach you housekeeping mess? I sure wish I could have given that nut a piece of my mind. The US President should have done something to help those lovely people. I guess not though back in the 1940's. Black people were still fighting for their rights. Paul Robeson would have set Mr. Neville and Riggs straightaway! He would have definitely been the Aboriginal's advocate :) I loved this book, and it was very EDUCATIONAL. (...)

The Movie is Actually Better This Time:
This may be an absolute first, and hopefully last, but I am going to say it: the movie is better than the book. While the premise of the book is amazing, the actually book is poorly written, at times grammatically incorrect, and a huge disappointment. There is a little insight from the girls' perspective and the first fifty pages or so is a disorganized retelling of european colonization. The first half of the book jumps around all over the place with little to no transition between completely new subjects. Sure, its a "quick read," but there is a reason: the writing is elementary and often rushed. Where the heck was this woman's editor?

Impressiv and captivating:
Rabbit-Proof Fence is the most fantastic film we ever watched at school.We think that the film is even better than the book because you are touched by the landscape and the music of the Australian continent. Actually you cannot opress tears! So we are convinced the book must have the same qualiity. Enjoy reading and do not forget watching the film! Thank you.

ACTUALLY, THE MOVIE IS BETTER:
Often, if a novel or a book in general is turned into a film, it does not exactly get better. This time it does. The film is definitely more moving than the book, mostly because of the narrator's style, which somehow does not manage to enthrall the reader too much. (Compare what the preceding reviewer says.) Still, it is interesting reading, especially if you want to compare the similarities and the differences between the book and the film.