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Always Greener

The true story behind Restless Dolly Maunder

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Always Greener

By: Kate Grenville
Narrated by: Kate Grenville
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About this listen

'If there’d been a gun in her hand at that moment she knew she’d have shot them.... She’d been so pleased with little Dolly Russell, the good life she’d got for them all. Thought she had it made, had got her hands at last on the levers of her life.... Now it turned out that all that, being so pleased with herself, was no more real than a puff of smoke.'

Always Greener is an exquisite portrait of Kate Grenville's complex, conflicted grandmother, who she feared as a child and only in adulthood came to understand. Born in rural Australia, Dolly Russell becomes a successful businessperson, mother and troubled wife. Then came the depression, bankruptcy and World War I. Yet, in a way, those disasters freed her. They allowed her to use her intelligence and ambition to make a space for herself in a man’s world.

With all the pathos and subtlety that defined Grenville’s Australian classics such as Lilian’s Story and her Booker-shortlisted The Secret River, Always Greener tells the story of a generation of women often forgotten at our own cost.

©2021 Kate Grenville (P)2021 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. Historical Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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This surprisingly insightful and moving narrative is both engaging and deeply moving. Beautifully expressive, Kate’s voice adds to the enjoyment of a moment in time, not usually acknowledged or regarded in present day Australia.

Deep knowing

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Prolific and highly respected Aussie author Kate Grenville takes us into the life and times of her smart and strong Grandmother, Dolly, in this important historical narrative. Grenville 's style is simple and empathetic, engaging from start to finish as we follow Dolly's journey from her hard-working childhood through to old age. With backdrops including war and The Great Depression, and country and city life, in an era that neither prized nor supported women's rights or intellects, Dolly's strength, smarts and determination are put to the test repeatedly as she chooses to take on new challenges, while struggling to deal with family relationships in a difficult world. Simultaneously Dolly is attempting to satisfy her own needs and assert herself as a woman. This book gives some moving insights and a respectful nod to a generation of resourceful and resilient women who fought to survive in a very hard world. Dolly's story is so beautifully told. Definitely one for the sisterhood - read it!

An important work: feminist historical narrative

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Just a delight to listen to, thank you so much Kate! Highly recommend listening to, historically interesting & very engaging from beginning to end.

Beautiful story beautifully narrated!

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this was a fascinating listen. we really need to be grateful to these pioneering women who paved the way before us.

great listen

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I have often thought about all the women who have gone before me and what it was like to live in a world constructed entirely to keep them small. Where what was and is, will always be. Breaking these societal rules meant disconnection, further lack of opportunity and even less autonomy. This beautiful book examines this paradigm in a way that is painfully self-aware, hopeful, honest and raw. I loved Dolly and her smarts and the honesty with which she told her story. Thank you for bringing to light what it's like for so many women, regardless of era, but especially those who have paved the way for more freedoms, choice, love and being true to ourselves.

An ode to women born at the wrong time

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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.