Raft - Softcover

Goldenberg, Howard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 187646285X ISBN 13: 9781876462857

Publisher: Hybrid Publishers, 2009

Synopsis

Every year for over a decade Goldenberg, a white middle-aged doctor, has spent numerous periods working as a relieving doctor for Aboriginal communities in remote places. On these visits he has observed and recorded Aboriginal Australians' lives without resorting to simplification or glib solutions. Among his true stories we meet psychotic Elijah who believes he is Satan's boss and cannot die; a dehydrated baby whose mother gambles away money for food; an old lady who receives a gashed head while fending off a thief stealing her money - her husband. In the midst of tragedies, suffering and moral ambiguity, these stories also tell of cultural richness and common humanity. Goldenberg writes: 'Aboriginal Australians are not at peace. They are variously unwell, underfed, overfed, afflicted excessively by our lifestyle diseases, confused by our drugs and drink, endowed with income but not with work, living in sickening poverty in paradisiacal places; and distracted from their serious cultural business by the trappings of our serious cultural emptiness.'

About this title

About the Author

Howard Goldenberg grew up in the Riverina town of Leeton, New South Wales. On his father's side, Howard is descended from the Gaon (Genius) of Vilna; on his mother's from Cyril Coleman, pearl diver, polo player, and one-stringed violinist, of Broome. He practises medicine in both city and outback communities. Howard is married, with three children and five grandchildren. In 2007 he won both the Victorian Country Marathon and Northern Territory Marathon Championships (over 60 years) and is currently training for his thirty-seventh marathon. Raft is his second book.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hybrid Publishers
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 187646285X
• ISBN 13: 9781876462857
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 246