There are two things I usually avoid like the plague. Well, three if you count vegetables. The others are short stores and non-fiction… so my interest in a compilation of ‘true stories from Australia’s finest female writers’ would usually be unfathomable.

However… I was heading into hospital and figured my post anaesthetic attention span might prefer shorter outings. And that’s most definitely been the case!

Rebellious Daughters
by Maria Katsonis, Lee Kofman
Published by Ventura Press
on August 1st 2016
Source: Ventura Press
Genres: Non-fiction
ISBN: 1925183564
Pages: 232

Goodreads

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.

In their intro Lee and Maria provide a summary of what’s on offer and it’s as impressive as it is varied.

The compilation includes an eclectic array of honest, heartwarming and heartbreaking stories. But in common is that sense of family and relationships. Daughters’ relationships with their mothers, fathers, grandmothers and siblings are explored along with complexity of family dynamics as our writers have aged and grown themselves over the years. And there’s some reflections on life as a mother and a mother of daughters in particular.

I’m loath to single any individual writers out but some hit home more than others. My relationship with my parents – and now just my mother – has been one of my greatest blessings and I was reminded of this fact while reading the offerings from these impressive writers. I was also however reminded of my own experiences with my father’s dementia, and some of the other (ahem) growing pains experienced over my formative years – though like some of the writers, I was mostly a good girl – rebelling but rarely!

As a lover of logic, I must admit I prefer those stories which ran vaguely chronologically or in a story arc of sorts, as I struggle with what is akin to random thoughts and facts jostled together – so the collection was a little uneven in parts for me.

There really is – however – something for everyone here. And the wonderful contributors have bravely laid their souls bare, trusting we readers with their innermost thoughts and personal experiences. And for that I am grateful.

Rebellious Daughters edited by Maria Katsonis & Lee Kofman will be published in Australia by Ventura Press on 1 August 2016 and a percentage of sales from this book goes to Women’s Legal Service Victoria.

I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

Were you a rebellious daughter (or son) or did you rebel vicariously through those around you?