Texta Book Club: The White Girl by Tony Birch

An emotionally eloquent novel about the necessary inheritance of strength in Indigenous women.

– The Monthly

To coincide with the exhibitions Pat Hoffie: This Mess We're In and Helen Fuller: Bowerbird, we will be discussing The White Girl by Tony Birch.

Odette Brown has lived her whole life on the fringes of a small country town. Raising her granddaughter Sissy on her own, Odette has managed to stay under the radar of the welfare authorities who are removing Aboriginal children from their communities. When the menacing Sergeant Lowe arrives in town, determined to fully enforce the law, any freedom that Odette and Sissy enjoy comes under grave threat. Odette must make an impossible choice to protect her family.

In The White Girl, Tony Birch has created memorable characters whose capacity for love and courage are a timely reminder of the endurance of the human spirit.

Texta is no ordinary book club; it's for people who love art. We use fiction (mostly) to unpack the subjects, themes and emotions of art. Conversation is never colourless, and is facilitated by our Engagement Coordinator, Renae Belton, and QUT Librarian Nicole Clark.

Texta is held throughout the year on Tuesday evenings. You can purchase this title from the Bookshop at QUT Depot.

For any queries, contact QUT Art Museum on 07 3138 5370 or artmuseum@qut.edu.au