What
readers say about ‘Aussie, Actually’
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!! I
have not laughed so hard in a long time. I can so relate to
your humorous account on emigrating to Australia. Very well
written.
Kathy
(Australia)
Well we didn't immigrate to
Australia, but your counterpart, New Zealand! Pretty much
the same in terms of emotional upheaval and missing family
and friends.....Good to hear someone else going through the
same emotions and putting pen to paper to capture those
thoughts.... and well done Lara, those drawings are
beautiful! God bless
Michelle and Mark (New
Zealand)
I am an Australian, who moved to the
USA 12 years ago and received your book for Christmas. I
can really relate to the feelings of culture shock - having
visited the US several times before we moved, I thought I
was well prepared. I miss Australia and Australians and
your book made me feel homesick and laugh all at the same
time but with a cup of tea and a Tim Tam I just about
coped.
Prue
(USA)
'A great heart-warming account of
adjusting to a new world. A great gift for tourists,
friends and Aussie larakins.'
Kathryn (Angus
& Robertson staff member)
Hey, your book is BRILLIANT! I
finally finished it about 3 weeks ago, but life has been so
hectic. I love it! It's so real and I have to admit, I
laughed, chuckled, screamed and cried because it's so real
and I can SOOOOOOO relate, but I do think you had it harder
than me!
Desire (Toronto,
ON)
'Having emigrated to Australia almost
7 years ago it was a very interesting read ... I felt
myself thinking ja ...ja... many times. It has been a
smooth transition for us, but I have my family in Brisbane
and have been very lucky to form some truly wonderful
friendships ! Congrats on a very balanced tale
...'
Gill
(Brisbane)
'The book is fantastic! Thanks for
the really good laughs and a couple of tears. I have only
lived in Auz for 6 months, but could really identify!
Thanks again and I will be sure to tell everyone to have a
read!'
Antoinette
(Brisbane)
Hey Lois, am just loving your book,
can't put it down and causing me to be late for work
everyday!
Cheryl (Kokstad, South
Africa)
'Over the past three years of "snot
and trana" we so often said someone should write a book
about all the things we go through as new immigrants. I
received the book yesterday afternoon after collegues heard
your talk on the radio and I have already read half. I read
out loud to my husband and he kept saying "it sounds just
like you" A great read that I am definitely sending back to
family & friends in SA to help them understand what we
are going through. It should be part of every emmigrations
agent's package in SA.'
Jacqueline
(Australia)
'We lived in Pietermaritzburg and my
Mom, who lives in Howick, sent me a newspaper cutting about
your book from "The Witness". We have been in Australia for
8 months. Although we are generally happy so far, we are
definitely feeling the culture shock and miss the
familiarity of Africa. I have ordered your book today and
can't wait for it to arrive!'
Caroline
(Australia)
'Great read! Thanks for taking the
time to write the book and more so for persevering in
printing it! Well done.
Thought I would order a few copies to
send to our “international” placements so they can have
something real to read and be prepared for their arrival in
Oz. So Friday night I couldn’t sleep, thought best I have a
read through and make sure the book was sending the “right
message” to our candidates. Well, I couldn’t put it down,
finished it off in one sitting and enjoyed every last
page.
I just wish you published the book 6
years ago when we arrived from SA. I so related to the
rollercoaster of emotions one experiences whilst attempting
to settle down in a foreign country and to a very different
life style. Anxiety, uncertainty, loneliness, fear, guilt
and just a general feeling of “verdriet” were all real to
me during the years .
To me the message is that it is ok to
be vulnerable, call out for help when you get that “sinking
feeling” and let us be there for each other in a real and
meaningful way.
So good to know that it wasn’t just
me trying to put on a brave face!
Thank you and bless
you.'
Kristine Berry
(Australia)
''I have finished
the book - very enjoyable! A warning against reading it on
the train, as I found myself laughing very loudly at times,
attracting the attention of the "Quiet Police", with their
frowns and brooding stares -
Sorry!'
Aaron
(Australia)
'I so enjoyed reading the book over
the weekend. My Aussie wife cannot wait to finish her
current book, so that she can start reading yours to see
why she was constantly woken up by her husband's loud
chuckles. I relate to every page! It will be a great buy as
a gift for Australian family and friends so they can
finally see my point of view! The book speaks for me -
Thankyou very much...I was gutted when it came to an
end.'
Clyde
(Australia)
'This book made me laugh and cry, but
most of all it touched my heart. Lois, what a beautiful
book - you have captured the thoughts, struggles and
triumphs that so many migrant families face. I cannot wait
for next book!'
Laura
(Australia)
