ABBEY’S BOOKSELLER PICK —— A chance meeting sparked Sayer’s interest in Gypsies, and she soon realised that Australia has a Gypsy history. This lively book traces it chronologically from the First Fleet (at least three Romani men were transported, including James Squire, the first colonial brewer). Traditions and customs are explained and there are profiles a number of contemporary Australian Gypsies, who share insights into their closed world. Persecution equals distrust of outsiders, but Sayer obviously had the ability to empathise with her subjects, and this makes for a fascinating read! Lindy Jones
——
Since the arrival of the First Fleet there have been Gypsies in Australia, yet their experiences have never been included in any official histories.
In Australian Gypsies, award-winning memoirist and novelist Mandy Sayer weaves together a vivid, wide-ranging history that begins with the roots of the Romani culture, tracing the first Gypsy people to arrive in Australia (including James Squire, the colony's first brewer) through to Gypsy families today, who share the stories of their ancestors and their lives.
With her unconventional, nomadic early life, Mandy Sayer has a unique insight into the lives of the people she meets, and a strong sense of the importance of their history. Given their blessing to tell their stories, Sayer also demolishes some longstanding but baseless myths along the way.
By:
Mandy Sayer Imprint: New South Books Country of Publication: Australia Dimensions:
Height: 233mm,
Width: 155mm,
Spine: 19mm
Weight: 490g ISBN:9781742234670 ISBN 10: 1742234674 Pages: 320 Publication Date:02 October 2017 Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
