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  • Butterfly on a Pin

  • By: Alannah Hill
  • Narrated by: Alannah Hill
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (85 ratings)

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Butterfly on a Pin cover art

Butterfly on a Pin

By: Alannah Hill
Narrated by: Alannah Hill
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Publisher's Summary

Alannah Hill, one of Australia’s most successful fashion designers, created an international fashion brand that defied trends with ornamental, sophisticated elegance, beads, bows and vintage florals. But growing up in a milk bar in Tasmania, Alannah’s childhood was one of hardship, fear and abuse. At an early age she ran away from home with eight suitcases of costumes and a fierce determination to succeed, haunted by her mother’s refrain of ‘you’ll never amount to anything, you can’t sew, nobody likes you and you’re going to end up in a shallow grave, dear!’ 

At the height of her success, Alannah walked the razor’s edge between two identities - the ‘good’ Alannah and the ‘mongrel bastard’ Alannah. Who was the real Alannah Hill? Reprieve came in the form of a baby boy and the realisation that becoming a mother not only changes your life but completely refurbishes it forever. 

Yet 'having it all' turned out to be another illusion. In 2013 Alannah walked away from her eponymous brand, a departure that left her coming apart at the seams. She slowly came to understand the only way she could move forward was to go back. At the heart of it all was her mother, whose loveless marriage and disappointment in life had a powerful and long-lasting effect on her daughter. It was finally time to call a truce with the past.

©2018 Alannah Hill (P)2018 W. F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Butterfly on a Pin

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Loved it!!

Loved this book. Couldn't put it down.
Beautiful written and read. She's incredible creative writer. Absolutely amazing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredibly moving and raw - highly recommended

Alannah’s story was very emotional, gut wrenching at times but her resilience shone throughout. Her narration of the book added to its charm.

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  • Jo
  • 05-12-2020

Honest and raw

Alannah wrote and narrated her life story so well. Her mother’s harsh and crass voice made the story so real and painful to listen to. The sad demise of such a brand and a woman , her power so frail and fragile. Incredible and memorable . Josephine

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Outstanding

The best book I’ve listened to in a long time. Highly recommended. 10/10. Distinction in every respect.

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Alannah should write more

Great book, I'm glad Alannah narrated her story I don't think it would have been half as good without her dramatics. She had a hard life and overcame so much.

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Beautifully read, beautiful story ❤️

Alannah Hill reads with elegance, grace and dark humour. Loved every second of this unforgettable story ❤️

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Whimsical, truthful and entertaining!

The marvellous, transformative and highly entertaining memoir of Alannah Hill has taken me through the journey of a “unjoined” child into the eccentric whimsical Australian Designer that we all know!
I was expecting to be interested, but felt transported, and this will be one of, if not the, favourite autobiographical book I have read.

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Wow

Truly worth penning, Alannah’s memoir gives us complete insight into the iconic designer’s mind, her hopes and torments. Her path to success is fascinating and her retreat from the spotlight now utterly understandable. Thank you Alannah for sharing your story. I recommend this to everyone who appreciated her talent.

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Raw, honest, shattering, creative and insightful

A brave, emotional, inspiring biography well read by the author. Her creative talent is expressed in every aspect of her life. The dinner party hooked me in for a non stop journey ... I felt empathy, sadness, hope, despair, inspiration and humour. Talking directly to the listener with 'dear reader' the work touched me with its humanity. Reasons and purpose for this work are clear and important.

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Heartfelt

So much pain, but so heartfelt. It was an honour to read your story and I wish you so much love.❤️

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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.