Ten Doors Down cover art

Ten Doors Down

The Story of an Extraordinary Adoption Reunion

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Ten Doors Down

By: Robert Tickner
Narrated by: Robert Tickner
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About this listen

Ten Doors Down is the deeply moving story of a federal minister’s remarkable reunion with his birth parents.

Robert Tickner had always known he was adopted but had rarely felt much curiosity about his origins. Serving in the Hawke and Keating governments, he held the portfolio of minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and while there he was instrumental in instigating the national inquiry into the Stolen Generations.

When, in his 40s, Robert at last turned his attention to the question of his own birth, he had some sense of the potentially life-changing course that lay ahead of him. But he could not have anticipated learning of the exceptional nature of the woman who had brought him into the world, the deep scars that his forced adoption had left on her or the astonishing series of coincidences that had already linked their lives. And this was only the first half of a story that was to lead to a reunion with his birth father and siblings.

This deeply moving memoir is a testament to the significance of all forms of family in shaping us - and to the potential for love to heal great harm.

©2020 Robert Tickner (P)2021 Robert Tickner Parenting & Families Relationships Adoption

Critic Reviews

"Tickner's sensitive portrayal of the woman at the heart of his story is a powerful refutation of an inhuman system that doomed generations of single mothers (described as 'of low intelligence if not actually retarded' by doctors) and their children (the so-called 'clean slates') to the unimaginable misery of forced adoptions." (Julia Taylor, Books+Publishing)

"Ten Doors Down is an emotional and deeply personal story, and Tickner's insights into family are moving and uplifting." (Georgia Brough, ArtsHub)

"Optimistic and uplifting...a moving story, and told with economy and great focus." (Debra Adelaide, The Age)
All stars
Most relevant  
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and congratulate Robert and his family for sharing it. ❤️

a very moving story

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I was initially drawn to this title because of knowing the person, Robert Tickner, via his political life as a minister of a government which aimed to help Australia's indigenous people gain not only recognition but rights.
However, as I listened and heard his LIFE story shared about his adoption in the early 1950s in Australia and the harsh realities back then, I knew I needed to stay the course.
Glad I did. Sharing as I can with those who also may find it of interest but would add a "warning" that some people may find the content about adoption practices difficult.
Thank you for sharing Robert...and for your family members who did too.

Heartfelt, Honest & Emotionally Courageous

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This book is an excellent ‘read’. The overall story is positive with some great outcomes. Along the way it is confronting and an emotional account. Hopefully it will jar readers into realising how wrong governments and law makers can be and should encourage all of us to not sit back and be passengers to unreasonable law making in the future.

Captivating Work

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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.