We listened to most of this book as an audio book during a long car trip, and my wife let me finish it at home (her turn is next :) ). Today, I alternated listening to the last two chapters with live coverage of the American Indian Movement tribunal on the genocidal Native American boarding schools of the 20th century, where children were taught "to despise their traditons" (as Buffy Sainte-Marie puts it in her wonderful song "Now that the Buffalo's Gone") http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2014/10... This novel is based on the life of an actual poor rural Australian woman from before World War I to the end of the Great Depression. Jessica was the catalyst for legal cases that would later lead to an end to the boarding schools and to establishment of Aboriginal rights. An important subplot of this riveting novel is the parallel experience of Australia's aboriginal children forcibly taken from their families and placed in boarding schools around the same period, which were designed to get them to become "white". and which had similarly deadly consequences for Aboriginal people and their cultures as the Indian boarding schools in North America.Other subplots are an archetypal family drama (similar to Child Ballads such as "The Twa Sisters"), involving murders and deception. The writing is captivating, and there are several people I could identify with. This seems to be a woman's novel, with some elements of a romance, but it has elements of drama that appeal to male sensibilities as well. There are many tragedies in the book, and the end of the book is a sad one, though there is a satisfying formal resolution of dramatic tensions that have left me wanting to step back into the harsh but beautiful setting of the story.
I'm sorry to say that I haven't enjoyed this book as much as I expected. Comparisons are usually worthless, but I can't help but think of Courtenay's former novel, "The Power of One" and find that "Jessica" lacked originality and spirit. Whereas I loved Peekay and Doc and the way the story flowed, with its easy prose, written almost like a fairy tale, with strong conviction and hope; I wasn't drawn to Jessica or her problems. I thought she was a grown up woman when she has to deal with the sneaky ways of her family (it was hard to believe that a mother could be that evil) and I believe her supposed stubbornness to protect Jack is what mostly brought her to such a desolate destiny. Didn't feel sorry for Jack neither, who finally betrays her without a blink. And then, after all this unearned hardship, she has to earn the reader's respect in the last part of the book, where she fights for the rights of the Aborigines while helping black Mary Sympson to get her children back, although I have to admit that I was shocked by the end of the story and a bit shaken while reading the last pages.All in all, I found the novel a cheap copy of "The Power of One", the same topics are discussed: the unfairness of life, strong characters who fight for justice, racism (there's also some Jew characters who play an important role at the end of the novel), human rights and war. All theses issues are discussed in the book, which is fine, but not great if you have had the pleasure of reading his masterpiece before. It has to be really difficult to write something that good and then be able to create something better.
Do You like book Jessica (1998)?
A fascinating account of two women’s (mother and daughter) determination to gain wealth, and respectability at any cost. Lies, forgery, murder, abduction and a fake pregnancy all conspire to rob their daughter, and sister of her child. But Jessie, their victim is a fighter. With an assortment of oddball friends and social outcasts, she fights back, not just against her own sister and mother, but against a government policy that tries to breed black out of its indigenous peoples. Set against the baron squalor, and racial prejudice of the Australian outback before, during, and post world war one ‘Jessica’ is based on real events. A must read.
—M.j. Croan
I went back and forth about this book. There were times when the writing was really good and the story was rich. There were other times when it just seemed way too long. If you're looking for another Power of One, then this book will be a disappointment. If there were half stars I might be tempted to go with 3 1/2 stars. I'm trying to think what to write and really it was such a strange meandering story, so tragic in places, predictable many times but then a beautiful surprise would freshen the narration. I don't know. I'll have to think on this one a bit more.
—AmyLyn
I struggled with this story - mainly due to the way Jessica was being treated by her own family. For some reason the writing came a bit close to the bone. I skipped a few bits but persevered and finished feeling very benevolent towards Mr Courtney. Only to discover that he had recently died. Over the years I have had a very inconsistent attitude towards his books Matthew Flinders cat is one of my all time favorites and of course there is a special place for the power of one. Yet Tommo and Hawk and the Potato Factory were just a too difficult for me to get past the first chapter. Now posthumously I read about the man and understand a little more, he is clearly a gentleman and one to be admired. His gift for understanding the human condition was outstanding and his death a huge loss. For me the way he depicts alcoholism, racism and sexual proclivity have always been a source of admiration and I have the utmost respect for his honesty. Not surprisingly it appears he accepted his terminal illness as many of his fictional heroes did with dignity and grace, I take my hat off to such humbleness in one so talented.So thank you Mr Courtney for the memories Jessica will always be the book that bought his more challenging books (for me) and my favorites together in one place. Rest in peace......
—Kate
