Shadow Lines

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 deeply personal story of two remarkable people.

A powerful and lyrical work by a writer of vision and imagination.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘… strongly recommended [four out of five stars]’ Australian Bookseller+Publisher

‘… a profound read.’ Western Suburbs Weekly

‘… a tale of self-discovery, beautifully told … a considerable accomplishment …’ 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 characterised 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