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Song of the Crocodile

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Song of the Crocodile

By: Nardi Simpson
Narrated by: Nardi Simpson
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About this listen

Darnmoor, The Gateway to Happiness. The sign taunts a fool into feeling some sense of achievement, some kind of end - that you have reached a destination in the very least. Yet as the sign states, Darnmoor is merely a gateway, a waypoint on the road to where you really want to be.

Darnmoor is the home of the Billymil family, three generations who have lived in this 'gateway town'. Race relations between Indigenous and settler families are fraught, though the rigid status quo is upheld through threats and soft power rather than the overt violence of yesteryear.

As progress marches forwards, Darnmoor and its surrounds undergo rapid social and environmental changes, but as some things change, some stay exactly the same. The Billymil family is watched (and sometimes visited) by ancestral spirits and spirits of the recently deceased who look out for their descendants and attempt to help them on the right path.

When the town's secrets start to be uncovered, the town will be rocked by a violent act that forever shatters a century of silence.

Full of music, Yuwaalaraay language and exquisite description, Song of the Crocodile is a lament to choice and change and the unyielding land that sustains us all, if only we could listen to it.

©2020 Nardi Simpson (P)2020 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"Song of the Crocodile is a moving, wise, deeply rewarding novel from an astonishing writer." (Emily Maguire, author of An Isolated Incident)
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A tale of 3 generations and thousands before them, that paints to life the richness, strength, pain and truth of many First Nation's peoples. Within it is a depth of love and belonging and loss.
Nardi's words are impeccably strung together to bring this story, woven with lore and spirit, to life. I loved that it was spoken by the author.

A exquisitely crafted raw story

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Beautifully written story but absolutely tragic at the same time. Racism & it’s lasting, ongoing legacy in Australia told with heartbreaking honesty. Beautifully written in real time & Dreamtime. Loved this book but deeply affected me as well.

Beautiful & Tragic story

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For a very short time in the beginning I doubted if this was my kind of read. But once I got used to the cadence etc I was totally absorbed...so much so that I am now looking for information on the indigenous belief system to broaden my understanding. This is an excellent story and it rings very true of the way rural society was in early twentieth century Australia.

Fascinating

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Stunning imagery and use of language, this story moved me deeply. A glimpse into the harrowing lives led by generations of Indigenous Australians. Beautifully written and narrated.

Brilliant

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I loved this book. While uniquely and beautifully Australian, the writing reminded me of the magical realists, in particular Marquez. one of the best books I've read.

Brilliant

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How lucky are we to exist in a world where Nardi Simpson shares her stories? Where we get to hear her cadence as she weaves tales so powerful and full.

As a story, Song of the Crocodile, covers difficult and poignant subjects and introduces a style of narrative that we need to hear more of. Cross cultural but so powerfully Blak, this is one of those books I will remember for the rest of my life.

Exceptional storytelling and performance

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I really enjoyed how this book explores the three generations of family, quite in depth for each generation, and while the time line jumps periodically, it benefits the story, not detracts from it. I feel that the author has done this skilfully, while also navigating the underlying story of the crocodile.

Beautiful narration by the author

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Perfect narration of a breathtaking and haunting novel. Unable to put it down. This is a must read.

Spellbinding and special

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Sad but a reflection of many peoples story. I want to know what happens next.

A story that has to be heard

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I loved this book. The story was terribly tragic but the author & narrator delivered with reassurance & elegance & loads of courage. Highly recommended!

Beautiful tragic & hopeful

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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.