Shadow Lines is the story of Jessie Argyle, born in the remote East Kimberley and taken from her Aboriginal family at the age of five, and Edward Smith, a young Englishman escaping the rigid structures of London who fell in love and married. Despite unrelenting surveillance and harassment, the Smith home was a centre for Aboriginal cultural and social life for over thirty years.
A powerful and lyrical work by a writer of vision and imagination.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
strongly recommended’ Australian Bookseller+Publisher
a profound read. Western Suburbs Weekly
a tale of self-discovery, beautifully told ? a considerable accomplishment: The West Australian
‘Kinnane’s meticulous research and a talent at reading between the lines of the official records are evident from the first chapter: Aboriginal History
little short of a masterpiece: Sydney Morning Herald
a stunning work, straddling the genres of lay and academic history: Studies in Western Australian History
‘Richly characterized and lyrically drawn, Shadow Lines is one of the great works of Western Australian literature: Writing WA
‘It is almost 20 years since this classic award-winning Indigenous memoir was first published in 2003, and it has lost none of its punch.: Good Reading
‘This is a book that should be on high school and tertiary curricula. Its subject matter is as timeless as its emotional strength is powerful.: Fremantle Shipping News
