Good daughters hold their tongues, obey their elders and let their families determine their destiny. Rebellious Daughters are just the opposite.
In Rebellious Daughters, some of Australia’s most talented female writers share intimate and touching stories of rebellion and independence as they defy the expectations of parents and society to find their place in the world.
Powerful, funny and poignant, these stories explore everything from getting caught in seedy nightclubs to lifelong family conflicts and marrying too young. Beautifully written, profoundly honest and always relatable, every story is a unique retelling that celebrates the rebellious daughter within us all.
Not every woman is a mother, grandmother, aunty or sister – but all women are daughters.
Rebellious Daughters contributors: Jane Caro, Jamila Rizvi, Susan Wyndham, Rebecca Starford, Marion Halligan, Amra Pajalic, Jo Case, Leah Kaminsky, Michelle Law, Caroline Baum, Rochelle Siemienowicz, Nicola Redhouse, Krissy Kneen, Silvia Kwon and Eliza-Jane Henry-Jones.
About the Editors
Maria Katsonis is a senior executive in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. Her debut memoir, The Good Greek Girl, was published in 2014. You can find her at mariakatsonis.com.au or on twitter @mariakatsonis.
Lee Kofman is a Russian-born Israeli-Australian author of four books, writing teacher and mentor. Her most recent memoir, The Dangerous Bride, was published in 2014. You can find her at leekofman.com.au or on twitter @leekofman.
Review by Caroline Baum
Disclaimer: I am a contributor to this anthology.
This spirited collection of non-fiction demonstrates the variety of rebellion. It can take many forms: silent, loud, mental, physical, and it can happen at any age (mine took place pretty late). Suddenly a dutiful daughter comes into her own, through her intellect, or her sexuality, or her politics or choice of partner and the niceties of the dutiful girl fall away. Sometimes the rebellion lasts forever, causing a bitter rift, sometimes it is attenuated and fades into forgetting. If you are lucky, there is reconciliation, or forgiveness, or shared laughter in reminiscence. A great conversation starter for daughters.
Industry Reviews
'A stellar line-up of Australian female writers' Books+Publishing
'Brimming with wise, funny, intimate stories... Each of us knows one, has one – or is one. There is much to savour here’ Nicole Abadee, Australian Financial Review Magazine
'If you have a female role model in your life whom you like to lock ideas with as well as horns, this is a great book to share and discuss' Hilary Simmons, Readings Monthly
'Within a few minutes of picking up the book, I was shedding tears… it is a highly thoughtful and often moving exploration of the nature of rebellion and how it affects ourselves and those around us' BookBirdy
'An eclectic array of honest, heart warming and heartbreaking stories' Debbish.com
'…A brave, inclusive and exhilarating read – for aren’t we all, even slightly, a rebellious daughter?' Reading, Writing and Riesling
'...gorgeous book that helps you to understand yourself, but it’s not just for the enjoyment of women, it is a universal book…' Tagg
'I adored that the rebellious nature of each woman was captured and celebrated in such a raw and glorious manner' AusRom Today
'A true celebration of those moments that define us. Recommended' Kathryn’s Inbox
'A generous insight into the exquisite quandaries of growing into yourself; a loving portrait of the journeys that birthed the women of our generation' Nithya Iyer, Peril Magazine
