I visited the Amazon site after viewing the DVD "Rabbit Proof Fence." Although I have not read the book, the DVD contained a lot of landscape and many periods during the movie were what some may consider "quiet." When experiencing literature from another era or culture, I believe it helps to try to put self into the environment of the characters. The pace of "Rabbit Proof Fence" helped me be there.

I would reccomend reading the book (even though I didn't...) and highly recommend viewing the DVD. I experienced the grace and courage that exists in all of us at some level.

Sorry folks I just could not get through this book. Unanimously the "critics" said the first 50 pages were disorganized and tedious. I read up to page 10, "zzzz" I then skipped ahead to page 50 thinking "OK NOW the action will begin" nope just more of the same rambling sentences. I am keeping the book for its historical reference, and maybe someone else will read it and then convince me of the story's value.
M*E*G*O = My Eyes Glazed Over!

Rabbit-Proof Fence is the story of 3 young part-Aboriginal girls in Australia, the oldest only fifteen years of age. Historically, "half-caste children", (half-Aboriginal and half-Caucasian) were considered wards of the Australian government and were, therefore, forcibly removed from their families and taken to settlment schools that were little more than jails. The purpose of these schools was to prepare these Aboriginal children for their role in white society as domestics and farmworkers. This book is a true story of 3 girls who escaped from the Moore River Settlement school. Their story is nothing less than amazing. The description of the "weevily porridge" that they were served for breakfast at the school, or the sheets that were only issued when the big inspectors were coming to visit and the other hardships they faced should sadden and anger every reader. Unfortunately, there are many similarities between their story and the treatment of Native Americans in this country. It is a must read!

Even the best of countries has its dark spots. In one of the best of countries - Australia - half-white, half-aborigine children were taken from their homes in a forced assimilation into white society. RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is about three young girls who ran away from this forced assimilation and walked back to their native people across the Australian outback. Although the story is interesting, the writing is such that getting through the book, even at a slim 130 pages, is as slow and plodding as the girls' trek itself.

The first half of the book is a snapshot history of Western Australia. Although some points are interesting, it is far too disorganized and even rambling to provide a solid picture of the period. This is further complicated by the author's slant of the native people living in peace and harmony before the brutish white man came along. No doubt there is truth to this, even a large degree of truth. But as the aborigines are later described as voluntarily working for whites and describing certain employers in positive terms, it is obvious that the full story and texture of the environment is not provided.

The latter part of the book describes the girls' actual journey from the southern part of Western Australia to the north, following the rabbit-proof fence which dissects the country and will lead them home. Even given the lifeless writing style, one cannot help but be impressed with the tenacity this required, especially as they had professional trackers on their trail. This book is good for someone interested in Austalia but be forwarned that the writing is not up to telling a tale such as this.

I was enthralled by this story. It is also educational.

Having seen the movie, I just had to read the book to get the details--and I might add, the real truth about the details. For example, in the book it is Gracie and Daisy, not Molly, who first approach a house for food. (I don't know why this is changed in the movie.) I thought this was wise on Molly's part, since younger children are often times better received by strangers.

If you don't have a lot of time to read, you might appreciate the brevity of this book. The "Glossary of Mardujara Words" is helpful, especially since some non-English words appear in the book more than once.