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One Hundred Years of Dirt

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One Hundred Years of Dirt

By: Rick Morton
Narrated by: Rick Morton
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About this listen

Social mobility is not a train you get to board after you've scraped together enough for the ticket. You have to build the whole bloody engine, with nothing but a spoon and hand-me-down psychological distress.

Violence, treachery and cruelty run through the generational veins of Rick Morton's family. A horrific accident thrusts his mother and siblings into a world impossible for them to navigate, a life of poverty and drug addiction. One Hundred Years of Dirt is an unflinching memoir in which the mother is a hero who is never rewarded. It is a meditation on the anger, fear of others and an obsession with real and imagined borders. Yet it is also a testimony to the strength of familial love and endurance.

2019, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Biography of the Year, Long-listed

2019, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, Long-listed

©2018 Rick Morton (P)2019 Bolinda Publishing Art & Literature Indigenous Creators Journalists, Editors & Publishers LGBTQIA+ Creators Mental Health Awareness Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

'I think it's terrific and I was very moved by it.' (Tim Winton)
'One Hundred Years of Dirt had me spellbound from the get-go. Morton is a crack storyteller and his words and stories are infused with genuine compassion. It's a magnificent book, the clarity of it is inspiring.' (Christos Tsiolkas, award-winning author of The Slap)
'... a compelling family saga, cataloguing violence and aggression stretching across generations.' (The Sydney Morning Herald)
All stars
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I loved this book, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. A brilliantly written book that is touching and funny and educational. A privilege to listen to.

Brilliant book

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Wow, what a life you have had Rick. I would love to be your friend.❤

loved it

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Rick Morton is a modern day story teller with edge. He shares with brutal frankness his sexuality, poverty & living in the isolated regions of Australia & the battle of living with mental illness. That he chose to write is his gift to us all. He writes of the marginalised, the beauty of Australia & with unvarnished truth
his views of modern Australia & its politics.

Modern Man Tells Old Story Which Needs Sharing

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a reminder on how not to judge others, you just don't know what wars they have been through or what battles they are still fighting. Always be caring.
an interesting and at times disturbing account of life experiences. I do hope Ricks brother is OK now and his mother enjoying life.

food for thought

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A multi generational struggle, that uncovers layer upon layer of grit, through the captivating recount by Rick Morton. At times I felt I could smell and taste the air and feel the pain, but how could I? A story to he told and told well.

Rick Morton.. I will now read every book you write

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Rick has written and read a story which was clearly painful for him.
Providing a window into a broad range of Australian culture, class and media.
To have done this without slipping into self pity or self indulgence shows his talent as a writer.

Wonderfully written and performed

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Should be required reading for any of the commentate class - the struggle of Rick’s mother to keep her family together. To sheer steel she must be made of. Not least of which to produce the eloquent and self aware young man that is Rick - even if he is an alien.

Utterly exquisite.

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nailed it. brilliant story, brilliant author and narrator, great messages and things that need to be talked about more.

brilliant

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This is a story for our time as the class divide seems to widen apace, and deeply moving. You can hear the emotion in Rick’s narration. A story of surviving, at times, seemingly insurmountable obstacles to live a life of meaning and empathy. A story as well of the unwavering belief and quiet determination of a mother. I am left with food for thought and journeys to embark on out west . Thanks Rick.

Moving and insightful story.

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Wow. Thank you Rick. Thank you for writing this book and thank you for reading it yourself. It couldn’t have been done as well by another.

Simply...Thank you Rick

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