My Island Home by John Singe

My Island home (UQP, 2003)

I am ashamed to say that I never finished My Island Home. I tried to read it several times and I really wanted to finish it but I found the author's style turned me off. Not that he's a poor writer in terms of his command of English. It was the structure that failed to hold my attention.
   The black and white photos in the centre are delightful and I am sure that Singe's vast experience of more than 30 years in the Torres Strait bubbles with interesting anecdotes, customs and stories. However I found myself getting lost very quickly in the rambling and disjointed narrative he has written. This is such a pity as I could see dozens of opportunities in each chapter that were worth expanding and turning into heart-felt or humorous stories. Singe's rushed and crowded structure lacked connection with characters and so I felt little empathy with anyone he wrote about. I wish I could say more positive things but this book was truly hard work and I only managed to finish the first two chapters.