Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia

by Victor Steffenson
Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Technical
  • ID: 4482
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
artsreview.com.au · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.50

Fire Country by Victor Steffensen explores the traditional Indigenous fire management practices that could help prevent devastating bushfires in Australia. The book argues for a return to these methods, which have been overlooked in favor of modern fire suppression techniques.

Fire Country by Victor Steffensen is a compelling read that delves into the traditional Indigenous fire management practices that have been used for thousands of years. The book highlights how these practices, which involve controlled burning, can help prevent the catastrophic bushfires that have become increasingly common in Australia. Steffensen argues that modern fire suppression techniques have failed and that a return to traditional methods is necessary for the future of the land. The book is not just about fire management but also about the cultural and spiritual significance of these practices to Indigenous communities. It's a call to action for all Australians to recognize and respect the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge.

Quick quotes

    The book is a powerful reminder that Indigenous knowledge is not just relevant but essential for the future of Australia.

    Steffensen's writing is both informative and engaging, making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.

    Fire Country is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental management, Indigenous culture, or the future of Australia.

podcasts.apple.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer praises Yanique's debut novel for its unique blend of magical realism and historical fiction, set in the Virgin Islands. They highlight the novel's exploration of identity, colonialism, and the power of storytelling, as well as its strong female characters and vivid portrayal of the clash between tourists and locals.

Tiphanie Yanique's debut novel, Land of Love and Drowning, is a magical realist work that calls to mind Gabriel García Márquez, yet manages to stake out new territory—both geographic and literary. The novel is a multigenerational saga that traces the story of a Virgin Islands family over six decades of the 20th century, exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and the power of storytelling. The reviewer praises Yanique's vivid portrayal of the clash between tourists and locals, as well as her strong female characters and the novel's exploration of the dangers of allowing Virgin Islands voices to be silenced. The novel's climax concerns the filming of a pornographic movie set in the Virgin Islands, which reinforces American stereotypes of the islands as a place for sex and drinking on exotic beaches. The reviewer highlights the novel's unique blend of magical realism and historical fiction, as well as its exploration of the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving cultural identity.

Quick quotes

    The idea that 'magic is real' comes up again and again. For instance, each of the two Bradshaw sisters possesses a gift straight out of a fairy tale.

    The novel's first scene, in which Captain Bradshaw witnesses a demonstration of static electricity, is typical: 'Science is just a kind of magic, and magic just a kind of religion, and Owen Arthur knows all about this because Owen owns a ship and men who spend their lives on water know that magic is real.

    The novel's climax in part concerns the filming of Girls Are for Loving, a pornographic movie set in the Virgin Islands, based on a real film from 1973.

aiatsis.gov.au · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

The Land of Love and Drowning is a family drama intertwined with the history of St. Thomas, exploring themes of belonging and cultural change. The novel's beautiful prose and compelling characters make it a standout, with a unique blend of magical realism and historical fiction.

The Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique is a captivating family drama set against the backdrop of St. Thomas in the early 1900s. The story follows the Bradshaw family as they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and identity amidst the shifting political landscape of the Virgin Islands. The novel beautifully weaves together elements of magical realism with historical fiction, creating a rich and immersive narrative. The characters, particularly the sisters Eeona and Anette, are deeply compelling, each grappling with their own sense of belonging and purpose. The prose is evocative and lyrical, making the reading experience a delight. The themes of belonging and cultural change are explored with depth and nuance, making this a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read. The magical elements are seamlessly integrated into the story, adding a layer of intrigue and wonder. Overall, the novel is a stunning exploration of family, identity, and the enduring power of place.

Quick quotes

    her running away had finally taken her to a haunted place where the past greets you at the door.

    The way the fantasy elements are treated reminded me a little of Jo Walton’s Among Others, where the plot of the story doesn’t orbit around the magic (except when it does).

    Tiphanie Yanique writes some damn beautiful prose. Everything from the evocative descriptions of the sea, to the bickering of family members, to scenes that shouldn’t be easy to read or mentally digest, to people’s half remembered childhood memories that might have just been a dream, to a single burning glance turning into a loving relationship, to the languorous way that time flows, the language of Land of Love and Drowning is just gorgeous.

margulesgroome.com · Unknown · 2021-02-02
compelling 4.50

The novel intertwines themes of familial love and the inescapability of history, focusing on the Bradshaw family and the Virgin Islands. The story explores how love and history shape the characters' lives, often disrupting and endangering them.

Tiphanie Yanique's novel _Land of Love and Drowning_ delves into the complex dynamics of familial love and the inescapable nature of history. The story centers around the Bradshaw family, particularly the sisters Eeona and Anette, as they navigate their lives in the Virgin Islands during a time of significant historical change. The novel portrays love as a force that can both sustain and destroy, while history is shown to be an ever-present influence that shapes the characters' destinies. The narrative is rich with mythological elements and multiple perspectives, providing a deep and multifaceted exploration of the characters' world. Yanique's use of language and her blend of realism with magical realism create a compelling and thought-provoking story.

Quick quotes

    Family will always kill you — some bit by bit, others all at once. It is the love that does it.

    History could do that, change a person’s name. History was something so simple and insistent that none of us has escaped it.

    The Duene do not want us to follow them because they protect the wild things from our destruction. The women protect the sea. The men protect the land.

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