Rating: 
Summary: ...and the movie is great, too
Review: A different kind of coming-of-age story, set in Australia. And the kids are three aborininal girls (remember that at one time the Austrailans considered the aboriginal people to be animals, or at least sub-human) who trek across sere and wild landscapes to return to their home.
Then realize that this is a true story, told by the daughter of one of the three girls who, along with maybe thousands of other children, were separated from their families by government edict, forced to 'live as white.' It was a misguided effort at assimilation, masquerading as well-intentioned but in reality was a formal effort to erase an entire culture.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is an inspiring story of survival, defiance, resiliance, and ultimately of love.
Rating: 
Summary: a real goanna on damper classic
Review: How is the Rabbit-proof fence like the great Wall of China?
In 1907 an ineffective fence was constructed by the government
to try to contain a rabbit over population problem.
To the outback people it became a land mark that became a "symbol of love, home and security".
Somewhere in thinking of this legal kidnapping of "muda-muda" children
it is lost that this wasn't an isolated event. In America after the Indian wars in the late 1800's
Indian children were kidnapped as well. It was all done with very good intentions
of making good white men and women of the children
who ended up as a new kind of indentured servant in many cases and never saw their real families again.
I've never heard of any of the American Indians escaping and making the trip home,
but it is known that they many of them did return to reservation life
and their family rather than be servants in east coast homes.
I learned of this doing genealogy research on names related to mine by vowel changes
(Bagola is an Indian surname).
That three young girls made it home under such conditions
is just amazing. For that alone the story is an epic... but they
had "professional" trackers on their trail as if they were hardened criminals
under a death sentence. It is a classic in role reversal for this reason.
Other stories of the mistreatment of natives peoples and their children
exist, but this is a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Quick Great Read
Review: If you are interested in what happens to native or aboriginal peoples when whites try to incorporate them into a white culturally based society, READ THIS BOOK! The book is 10x better than the movie...full of real details. Even though this story was told orally from a vantage point of 60+ years, it is backed up with articles, poice reports,etc. Very credible and tragic story.
Rating: 
Summary: If you saw the movie...
Review: If you saw "Rabbit Proof Fence" and want to learn more about the lives of its characters, this ISN'T the book for you. We read it for my book club, and it was generally considered to be a disappointment. Even at a slim length (130 pages) it took some effort to finish. The author -- the daughter of one of the girls depicted in the movie-- spends the first fifty pages telling tales of Western Australia's colonization by the British. The detail, while reasonably interesting, eclipses the story of the girls. Their lives and the journey they took from the Moore Settlement school back to their home, is told sparingly, with little insight into what the girls went through. How about an adult's perspective on what they'd been through as girls? A more detailed update on their lives? You will get more detail from seeing the movie, which makes this book largely irrelevant.
Rating:
Summary: The longest walk
Review: It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated [the film was waiting] and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history.The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of "superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of "assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking. There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance. To those complaining the book is too brief, one can only ask: "What would you add?". This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its "White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating:
Summary: The longest walk
Review: It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated [the film was waiting] and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history. The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of "superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of "assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking. There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance. To those complaining the book is too brief, one can only ask: "What would you add?". This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its "White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating: 
Summary: ACTUALLY, THE MOVIE IS BETTER
Review: Often, if a novel or a book in general is turned into a film, it does not exactly get better. This time it does. The film is definitely more moving than the book, mostly because of the narrator's style, which somehow does not manage to enthrall the reader too much. (Compare what the preceding reviewer says.) Still, it is interesting reading, especially if you want to compare the similarities and the differences between the book and the film.
Rating:
Summary: Impressiv and captivating
Review: Rabbit-Proof Fence is the most fantastic film we ever watched at school.We think that the film is even better than the book because you are touched by the landscape and the music of the Australian continent. Actually you cannot opress tears! So we are convinced the book must have the same qualiity. Enjoy reading and do not forget watching the film!
Thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: The Movie is Actually Better This Time
Review: This may be an absolute first, and hopefully last, but I am going to say it: the movie is better than the book. While the premise of the book is amazing, the actually book is poorly written, at times grammatically incorrect, and a huge disappointment. There is a little insight from the girls' perspective and the first fifty pages or so is a disorganized retelling of european colonization. The first half of the book jumps around all over the place with little to no transition between completely new subjects. Sure, its a "quick read," but there is a reason: the writing is elementary and often rushed. Where the heck was this woman's editor?
Rating:
Summary: An unbelievable story that needed to be told!
Review: Truly a profound story, but nothing can prepare you for what these 3 little girls endured through their travels. Their story is strong, gripping, compelling and enlightening.
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