Mackellar: How to Get There
- Author: M. Mackellar
- Title: How to Get There
- Published: 2014
- Genre: memoir
- List of Challenges 2018
- Monthly reading plan
Introduction:
- I read an essay by Maggie Mackellar last year in
- The Best Australian Essays 2016
- …and was very impressed.
- Mackellar has had a tough life
- …death of young husband, single mother… but she is resilient.
- I want to read how she sets out her new life in Tasmania.
Conclusion:
- I had my reservations about the book in the first few chapters.
- Mackellar was describing her new relationship with Jim and
- the move to Tasmania in micro-details.
- But soon after reading the “inner thoughts’ pages between chapters
- …I was drawn into Mackellar’s world.
- “I promised myself I would never trust again.
- How does anyone ever learn to love again.”
- Through every small opening in life
- …through rips and tears and tatters….life pours.
- Mackellar: “I’ve raised these kids,
- I deserve some companionship, some love.
- I’ve done this on my own for 10 years.”
- Mackeller struggles to set down roots in Tasmania:
- a new love….compromise chips away at identity
- writer’s block…
- homesickness..the acid rain that leaches into happiness.
- “Home, I must learn to say home.” (ch 6)
- This was a great read in which
- …Mackellar pours her heart out
- …and I mean that in a good way.
- “Sitting in the quiet I also fear my own inadequacy
- …to be the woman all these people need me to be.”
- #Insightful
Last thoughts:
- I dare you to read this book
- …especially the last 3 chapters + epilogue without
- feeling emotional, a welling up in your eyes
- …..as you try to reach out to Maggie Mackellar.
- I wanted to tell her
- …your book? your life?
- …..Job well done!
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
- This is the view Mackellar had during
- …her few days of solitude writing.
- This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
NancyElin.blog 