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Reviews & Recommendations

6 Degrees of Separation: From Wild Swans to My Place

Melinda Tognini September 2, 2017 8 Comments

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you will already know the way Six Degrees of Separation works. Kate from booksaremyfavouriteandbest starts off with the title of a book, and we link it to six others, in whatever way our brains make connections. It’s easy and fun, so join in!

This month’s starting book is Wild Swans by Jung Chang, about three generations of Chinese women and the impact of Mao’s rule.

6 Degrees of Separation Wild Swans

A book about a more recent aspect of China’s history is One Child: The Story of China’s Most Radical Experiment by Mei Fong, about the impact of the one child policy in China. I heard Mei Fong speak at the 2017 Perth Writers Festival and on Radio National, and was fascinated by the way her personal story become part of the larger narrative, which included much research and the collection of many first-hand experiences.

Another writer I was totally impressed with at the Perth Writers Festival was Armando Lucas Correa, author of The German Girl. I had not actually intended to buy this book, thinking I’d probably read enough about the Second World War for a while. Then I heard Correa speak. I was fascinated by his research process, the way he created a fictional narrative to bring alive real events and, sadly, the parallels to the current refugee crisis.

There are so many books with ‘girl’ in the title that I could pick any number for my next link, but I’m going with Girl Underground, a children’s book by Morris Gleitzman. Girl Underground, a sequel to Boy Overboard, is about youngsters, Bridget and Menzies, determined to free two Afghani kids from immigration detention.

6 Degrees of Separation One Child, The German Girl, Girl Underground

Meg McKinlay’s novel, A Single Stone, is also about girls underground, although in a very different scenerio. In this dystopian world, young girls are chosen to tunnel deep into the mountain, Jena makes a discovery that causes her to question everything she has ever known.

A Single Stone won the 2016 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for young adult fiction, while Sister Heart by Sally Morgan won the children’s fiction category.

Sally  Morgan’s first book, My Place, is one of those books that have stayed with me for many years. It was probably the first time I’d read about the experiences of Aboriginal people from their perspective and in their voice. My copy is dog-eared, with pages falling out – think it might be time for a re-read.

6 Degrees of Separation A Single Stone, Sister Heart, My Place

I started in a culture and time completely foreign to me, then tagged along with authors who used fiction to highlight the plight of refugees decades apart. I travelled to a world in which the lives of young girls are used to mine precious materials, and finished by listening to the voices of our country’s original custodians.

At one level, there is a diverse range of stories here, and yet all are connected by some form of oppression. Thankfully, most also reveal courage and the strength of the human spirit.

Over To You

Where will Six Degrees of Separation lead you?

Let me know in the comments below, or post a link to your own blog. And be sure to head over to booksaremyfavouriteandbest to see where Kate ended up, as well as links to other chains.

Or you could start planning ahead to next month (7 October 2017), when we’ll begin with Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate, which, I confess, I only discovered after seeing the film adaptation.

 Degrees of Separation from Wild Swans to My Place pinterest image

 

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Melinda Tognini

story-gatherer & mentor

Related Posts
The Distance Between Dreams: In Conversation with Emily Paull March 31, 2025
6 Degrees of Separation: From Dangerous Liaisons to My Place February 1, 2025
6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect January 4, 2025

8 Comments

  1. Kate @ booksaremyfavouriteandbest says:
    September 2, 2017 at 9:02 am

    I wasn’t aware of One Child – will look it up. Sounds fascinating. I have read a bit about the impact of the one-child policy through Xinran’s work and her stories I found incredibly haunting.

    My feelings about My Place are much the same as yours – it’s a book that has stayed with me. I probably read it 30 years ago (!) but still have my copy somewhere – time for a re-read as well.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 2, 2017 at 9:57 am

      I wouldn’t have heard of One Child either if I hadn’t stumbled into a panel discussion Mei Fong was part of at the PWF. I will look up Xinran on your recommendation.

      Reply
  2. Brona says:
    September 2, 2017 at 10:47 am

    2 more books about China for me to check out – thanks Melinda & Kate.

    A Single Stone was a fabulous teen read, glad that to see it mentioned her.

    Maybe we need to organise a re-readalong for My Place? I’d love to see what I think about it after nearly 30yrs too.

    http://bronasbooks.blogspot.co.id/2017/09/6degrees-september.html?m=1

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 6, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      A re-readalong for My Place sounds like a fabulous idea!

      Reply
  3. Margaret @ BooksPlease says:
    September 2, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    An interesting chain and so different from mine! I haven’t read any of the books in your chain – except for Wild Swans. My Place sounds a unique book and interests me the most.

    I haven’t heard of the starting book for the next chain – or even the film adaptation – did you enjoy that?

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      September 6, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Margaret, I watched the film a very long time ago, and it was a ‘festival’ film rather than in a mainstream theatre. I vaguely remember it being unusual but enjoyed it. I’m going to have to read the book now to remind myself!

      Reply
  4. Marina Sofia says:
    September 5, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Quite unique series of links, I like your thinking! Lots of titles to explore further…

    Reply
  5. Lisa says:
    September 6, 2017 at 1:26 am

    I will likely read One Child –thanks. Good chain.

    Reply

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Latest Comments

Apologies for the late reply! I shall go check out your post - even the title is intriguing!
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
I haven't read any of the books on your chain (though am reading Orbital currently) but love the clever links... And now adding Writer Laid Bare to my TBR.. my post is here - https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/two-roads-diverged-in-the-words-with-trivia-twists-too/
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
You're welcome! Thank you for being so generous with your time in answering my questions as well as all the incredible work encouraging creatives everywhere!
In Reflect. Simplify. Create: In Conversation with Amanda Viviers

Recent Posts

  • The Distance Between Dreams: In Conversation with Emily Paull
  • Creative Writing Prompts: April
  • Creative Writing Prompts: February
  • 6 Degrees of Separation: From Dangerous Liaisons to My Place
  • Creative Writing Prompts: January
  • 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
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