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Reckoning cover art

Reckoning

By: Magda Szubanski
Narrated by: Magda Szubanski
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Publisher's Summary

Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved performers, tells her story.

In this extraordinary memoir, Magda Szubanski describes her journey of self-discovery from a suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father’s espionage activities in wartime Poland and by her secret awareness of her sexuality, to the complex dramas of adulthood and her need to find out the truth about herself and her family.

With courage and compassion she addresses her own frailties and fears and asks the big questions about life, about the shadows we inherit and the gifts we pass on.

Honest, poignant, utterly captivating, Reckoning announces the arrival of a fearless writer and natural storyteller. It will touch the lives of its listeners.

©2015 Magda Szubanski (P)2015 Bolinda

What listeners say about Reckoning

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving and powerful

I'd heard good things of this book. Even so, it exceeded my expectations. I was frequently moved by her depictions of her parents, of their dilemmas, of her dilemmas.

The thing that makes this an outstanding audiobook is that her tale is diversely populated - mainly with Poles and Scots, whose accents she captures very well. And occasionally she throws in a Dutch accent or an ocker one.

She deals with important themes - right/wrong, life/death, struggles with sexuality and identity, politics of oppression, encountering feminism.

As a heterosexual Jewish-Polish male nearly ten years older than Magda, I love this book.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Trying too hard to be something it's not

I was really looking forward to listening to this audiobook. I love Magda as an actress and activist and was excited to get to know her a little better, but after a little over 2 hours that barely went anywhere, I gave up. I felt like Magda was more intent on proving to her listeners how intelligent she was, rather than trying to engage them in any meaningful way. There were many instances of her trying to dramatise the mundane and find significance in those events, but it didn't translate well. Instead of writing a punchy and insightful memoir, it was a memoir trying desperately to be War and Peace, and read in much the same way. I really wanted to enjoy this, but I won't be going back to it.

If you're looking for a serious but moving memoir, I'd recommend Sally Field's 'In Pieces'. For a funny, engaging memoir from an Australian comedian, 'The Lucy Family Alphabet' by Judith Lucy is great, likewise Kitty Flanagan's 'Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies'.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A masterpiece

Magda I am so grateful to you for all the happiness you have given me over the years in your various incarnations - my favourite other than Babe was the Meetings of the Daughters of Satan - I still do a really good rendition.

But, this book is simply magnificent, a masterful and gripping story. Told with such humility, honesty and brilliance. Thank you so much.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just great! (And awesome)

Magda Szubanski is someone I have always deeply appreciated but this autobiography felt like a unique and new creation, something that I would love even if I didn't have such admiration for this lovely actress. It is beautiful, well constructed, and at moments wonderfully profound. Well written, sympathetic and cathartic without being self indulgent, so much recommendation coming from this brain right now...

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommend

Loved this book. Interesting, insightful, funny, sad and entertaining.
A complex personal story of self and family.
Was lovely to hear Magda's story in Magda's own words.
Highly recommend.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not for me

struggled to get into it, long winded, didn't finish reading,. Tried several times to engage.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Magda
Thank you so much for sharing your most personal information with us. I just bloody loved it, and I'm telling anyone and everyone who'll listen. Your book is a must " listen" to, I'm so pleased I chose to listen rather than read as I've had the journey with you. I've laughed out loud often throughout and cried as well. I've been listening to you every morning and afternoon back and forth to and from work. I can not thank you enough for telling us the story of you and your family. Well done x
Ps love your work I've been a loved fan since d gen. All the best.
Lisa

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Jo
  • 27-01-2016

I didn't want this book to end

Magda is one talented lady. This book was raw and honest, and her story telling remarkable. Listening to Magda reading her story was very special, particular her mum's Scottish accent. I loved this book and would be happy to listen to Magda tell her story every day.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Deb
  • 04-01-2016

Always a surprise

What made the experience of listening to Reckoning the most enjoyable?

The fact Magda narrated the story of her life

What other book might you compare Reckoning to, and why?

None, its her original personal journey

What does Magda Szubanski bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Her tone and understanding

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Magda is an amazing lady who i admire even more now i have heard her story.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much more than an actress

Although the narration wasn’t that entertaining, Magda’s story was so enlightening- she is way more than just an actress. I loved this memoir.

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1 person found this helpful

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