Backbencher

The novel The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway is a rather beautiful story of a young woman’s travels through life being raised in early 20th century Australia. It shall not be confused with a feminist novel (thank God), but rather a simply elaborate tale of how a woman perceived society in a traditional male setting.

The story begins with her being raised in Coorain, a rural community of Western Australia, where she begins to interact with the world around her. She realizes all that is beautiful and learns to interact with nature and perceive the qualities of life. She does not specifically say this, but it is written in the theme that her female gender roles and beliefs are typified in that she should enjoy nature and learn to perceive the colors and growth around her to enrich her life. It is one of those chapters that makes me all happy to enjoy life.

My personal favorite chapter was when she was graduating high school and was for the first time learning who she was and began to explore the possibilities of what she would do with her life. She decides upon learning to teach which she explores in college. While in college she takes up history where she explores the histories of America and other European countries. During her internship she decides to explore London, and learns that she rather appreciates her home of Australia. She returns there without much hesitation.

I feel in a way that I could personally connect with this novel, in that it simulates my life in North Dakota. There are many comparisons and contrasts to be made, but the themes of learning nature, making it through life, and becoming established as a professional is truly a gift. I previously stated that this was written from a female perspective, but I must say that this could be genderless, as men have feelings too. I hop off my soapbox.