{"title":"Marie Munkara","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the captivating world of \u003cstrong\u003eMarie Munkara\u003c\/strong\u003e, an acclaimed author whose works gracefully weave together powerful narratives and rich cultural insights. As a writer of both fiction and memoirs, Munkara brings to life the complexities of identity, tradition, and the human experience through her evocative storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMunkara's debut novel, \u003cem\u003eA Most Peculiar Act\u003c\/em\u003e, is a remarkable piece of \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical fiction\u003c\/strong\u003e that explores the collision of Aboriginal and colonial cultures in Australia with unique wit and wisdom. Through a tapestry of intricate characters and compelling situations, the novel offers readers a humorous yet poignant look at the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/em\u003e, Munkara continues to blend her cultural heritage with universal themes, crafting a narrative that resonates with readers from all backgrounds. This work of \u003cstrong\u003egeneral fiction\u003c\/strong\u003e captures the essence of life's myriad secrets and the profound impact they have on our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer deeply moving \u003cstrong\u003ebiography and memoir\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOf Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e, provides an intimate glimpse into Munkara's own journey of discovery and resilience. With heartfelt honesty, she shares her experiences of displacement, identity, and finding a place to call home amidst a backdrop of cultural and personal upheaval.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarie Munkara's books are not just stories; they are windows into her rich heritage and profound reflections on the world. Embark on a reading journey with Munkara and discover narratives that are as enlightening as they are entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"of-ashes-and-rivers-that-run-to-the-sea-by-marie-munkara-9780857987273","title":"Of Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA heartbreaking, darkly funny, and deeply moving memoir from a fearlessly talented writer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDelivered on the banks of the Mainoru River by her two full-blood grandmothers, Marie Munkara was born with light skin, which meant one thing—it would only be a matter of time before she would be taken by the authorities and given to a white family to be raised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen, twenty-eight years later, an old baptismal card falling out of a book changed the course of her life forever. It was a link to her past. Knowing that she had to follow her heart or forever live to regret it, Marie set out to find the family that she had lost, leaving her strict white Catholic parents aghast—why dig up the past?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith devastating honesty, humour, and courage, the award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/em\u003e shares her extraordinary journey of discovery to find her origins in \u003cem\u003eOf Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46375815872748,"sku":"9780857987273","price":40.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12798263482493.jpg?v=1744828424"},{"product_id":"every-secret-thing-by-marie-munkara-9781925768909","title":"Every Secret Thing","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLike Alexis Wright's \u003ci\u003eCarpentaria\u003c\/i\u003e, this is a landmark text in indigenous writing. It is a work of immense spirit, ingenuity and narrative confidence.\u003c\/i\u003e — Gail Jones\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/i\u003e is a nothing-is-sacred misadventure that crackles with Marie Munkara's famous acerbic humour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet in the early days of missionary activity in far northern Australia, \u003ci\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/i\u003e follows the Bush Mob as they try to evade the Mission Mob, who, along with everyone else, are trying to avoid having their souls saved by the Roman Catholic Missionaries. In these hilariously irreverent vignettes of mission life, everyone and everything is fair game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublisher Rachel Bin Salleh said: \u003ci\u003eThere is no other Australian author of fiction who writes with such acerbic and uncompromising wit about Australia's mission and colonial history. For Aboriginal people, humour is essential to our survival, our resilience. \u003ci\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/i\u003e unapologetically challenges stereotypes. While the writing makes you laugh out loud, it also opens you up to some hard truths. That, I think, is her mastery.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinner of the David Unaipon Award and first published in 2009 by UQP, \u003ci\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/i\u003e was Marie Munkara's debut novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWith the growing interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in Australia, it is a great time to revisit and highlight some of the extraordinary works in the backlist. I think Australian readers are more ready for Marie's work now than they were when it was first released. We've come a long way as a nation in that time.\u003c\/i\u003e — Rachel Bin Salleh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA new edition of this award-winning title, \u003ci\u003eEvery Secret Thing\u003c\/i\u003e is filled with humour, joy, and despair. It is an unflinching insight into the legacy of Australia's mission era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46711371628780,"sku":"9781925768909","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18014423482873.jpg?v=1754217326"},{"product_id":"a-most-peculiar-act-by-marie-munkara-9781925936278","title":"A Most Peculiar Act","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe narrative voice is yarning, chatty and sardonic, but under all the jokes and stories there's a sharp critique of bureaucrats and institutions, and an appreciation of the heroic nature of resistance.\u003c\/strong\u003e - Kerryn Goldsworthy, The Sydney Morning Herald\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this biting and hilarious novel from Marie Munkara, \u003cem\u003eA Most Peculiar Act\u003c\/em\u003e takes a look at the ludicrous and bizarre nature and interpretations of the Aboriginal Protection Acts of the early twentieth century—and makes merciless fun of the characters involved. The story follows the trials and tribulations of Sugar, a 16-year-old fringe-camp dweller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet in Darwin, just before the Japanese bombing raids, we meet characters such as Horatio Humphris (Horrid Hump), chief protector of Aboriginals, teetotaler and 42-year-old virgin; Ralphie Brown, who has the unedifying honour of being the only public servant to ever be sacked; Drew Hepplewaite, redneck racist and female patrol officer armed with balls of steel; and the Administrator's wife, Penelope, who has a fetish for anything oriental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the Aboriginal Ordinances Act and the 'White Australia' policy as a backdrop, Sugar's resistance to assimilation becomes a protracted battle that culminates in the Christmas party from Hell. Interspersed with illicit affairs, stolen children, leprosy and 'fucking foreigners,' this story sees Sugar and her oppressors finally face off in a way none ever expected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47075883548908,"sku":"9781925936278","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19688113482873.jpg?v=1765188604"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/marie-munkara.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}