Overview

Lifting the Lid - a memoir born of adoption is a compelling story told by a distinctive voice with heart and humour about identity, belonging and a woman's search for her biological truth. It is an exploration by the author, as an adopted baby girl, growing up in Newcastle, Australia in the 1970s and 1980s - of assimilating and clashing with culture, gender and societal norms. Anyone connected to adoption or interested in family history and Australia's social landscape from the mid-twentieth century to the present will love this book. Lifting the Lid explores identity through the author's experience as the product of a sexual encounter between a 'fine' protestant girl and a migrant Italian Catholic musician in the mid-sixties, traversing uncharted territory where truth and secrets live in parallel across Newcastle, Sydney, Tasmania and Melbourne. Growing pains from childhood to adolescence and the coming of age towards adulthood are vividly described through imagery of dreams and references to pop culture as the inner workings of a developing mind unfolds as the author searches for her place. Uniquely Australian, yet universal in thought, this memoir illustrates how identity is linked to heritage and the fallout from denial of the truth.

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9780648892007

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Reviews

I was absolutely riveted and loved it. I was fascinated. And I think any reader would be. Dom Harden This would make a great movie! Dr Tash The yearning/searching/finding experiences were much deeper emotionally than my concepts of people finding their birth families. People who love family history will love reading this book! Bec Gelsi (the author) has such a distinctive voice which really comes through, without ever swamping the narrative. Her inner struggle, and integrity and compassion as a human being are so evident and so moving. Yoni P A story of belonging and family, it's also partly an ode to growing up in Australian in the 70s. I enjoyed the social commentary and imagining the constraints of the times on the women in the story. RGj After reading Lifting the Lid I have a greater understanding of the plight of those adopted children trying to complete their identities. I've been touched and informed by this story and reminded of childhood and growing up in that era. Harry M I got out of this story the very real and harrowing story of someone who searched for a missing link. I saw frustration and joy and the depths in between. I got out of the story that the loss of identity is devastating. V Bright

Author Information

Karen Ingram is a mother, feminist, performer, celebrant and activist who lives in Melbourne, Australia on traditional lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people and remains connected to her hometown of Newcastle, the traditional lands of the Awabakal and Worimi people. Her experience as an adopted child born in the mid-sixties has shaped her perceptions of life, family and identity. She has worked as artist manager, publicist, educator, presenter, media spokesperson, counsellor, social justice advocate and community development practitioner - collecting experiences like feathers to grow a colourful and majestic boa. She is a self-described 'glass half full' kind of woman.www.kareningram.com.au

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