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A Waltz for Matilda (The Matilda Saga, #1)

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A Waltz for Matilda (The Matilda Saga, #1)

By: Jackie French
Narrated by: Edwina Wren
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About this listen

 The story behind Banjo Paterson's iconic Australian song.

'Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his Billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me...'

In 1894, twelve-year-old Matilda flees the city slums to find her unknown father and his farm. But drought grips the land, and the shearers are on strike. Her father has turned swaggie and he's wanted by the troopers. In front of his terrified daughter, he makes a stand against them, defiant to the last. 'You'll never catch me alive, said he...'

Set against a backdrop of bushfire, flood, war and jubilation, this is the story of one girl's journey towards independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.

Drawing on the well-known poem by A.B. Paterson and from events rooted in actual history, this is the untold story behind Australia's early years as an emerging nation.


PRAISE

'Jackie French has a passion for history, and an enviable ability to weave the fascinating minutiae of everyday life into a good story.' -- Magpies Magazine

 Action & Adventure Fiction Growing Up & Facts of Life Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Survival Stories Survival War
All stars
Most relevant
Easy to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns in this well written story. A great Australian read.

Thoroughly enjoyed

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Loved it when I read it, loved it when I heard it, will listen again

Top Shelf Stuff

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Little too much like Mary Elwyn Patchett's stories.
Timelines of Drinkwater generations were questionable, without enough wriggle room to be ok.
However, I still hung on every word, rewound many times, and found myself bawling at various points throughout.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and am about to embark on Book 2 in the Matilda series.
Thank you once again Jackie French, for keeping me up late coz I couldn't put it down.

bit far fetched

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Brilliant, captivating, great depth and colourfulness of characters. Couldn’t stop listening. Loved every minute if it!

Brilliant

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well written, well narrated and easy to listen to. Some of the themes are a bit intense and I would recommend for kids from ages 12 upwards, especially if they are sensitive.

lovely romp

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.