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Butterfly on a Pin
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Showing 1-10 of 12 reviews
21 May 2018
Alannah Hill’s early life in the backblocks of Tasmania sounds frankly terrifying. She describes an impoverished family, a drunken, raging, violent father, a depressed and suicidal mother, errant, damaged older brothers, and sexual abuse (once at the hands of two policemen). Then there were the trashy neighbours with the incestuous teenagers. No wonder she escaped to Melbourne at the age of sixteen - only to face more horrors.
Her saving grace was a boutique (bow teek) called Indigo and the kindly people who ran it, and the kind family of her first boyfriend. The story of becoming an Australian fashion legend is compelling. Like many driven people, she worked really hard. Think 100 hour weeks. Yet despite her success, phone conversations with her mother yielded a relentless stream of negativity that is stupefying (“Only Fifth Avenue? Why aren’t you first? You’ll never be good enough will you?” is the tenor of it). At first, it seems like ignorant Irish Catholic babble designed to perpetually put her daughter down, but eventually you understand that though it was that, it was also a form of humour. Alannah learns later that her mother was, in fact, extremely proud of her.
Suffice to say that this is a gut-wrenching yet wise and heartening story from a generous spirit, a hugely talented girl from nowhere who made good, despite everything, including the loss of her brand. We can only wish her well. Coincidentally, I finished reading it, with tears in my eyes, at 2.30am, the same time at which she wrote the final paragraph.
Her saving grace was a boutique (bow teek) called Indigo and the kindly people who ran it, and the kind family of her first boyfriend. The story of becoming an Australian fashion legend is compelling. Like many driven people, she worked really hard. Think 100 hour weeks. Yet despite her success, phone conversations with her mother yielded a relentless stream of negativity that is stupefying (“Only Fifth Avenue? Why aren’t you first? You’ll never be good enough will you?” is the tenor of it). At first, it seems like ignorant Irish Catholic babble designed to perpetually put her daughter down, but eventually you understand that though it was that, it was also a form of humour. Alannah learns later that her mother was, in fact, extremely proud of her.
Suffice to say that this is a gut-wrenching yet wise and heartening story from a generous spirit, a hugely talented girl from nowhere who made good, despite everything, including the loss of her brand. We can only wish her well. Coincidentally, I finished reading it, with tears in my eyes, at 2.30am, the same time at which she wrote the final paragraph.
16 June 2018
Alanah your bravery and honest account makes for the most interesting read Ive had in ages. Your rise and fall and rising again only shows the strength needed in this funny thing we call life. You story will empower more girls to believe no matter how strange or abusive your disfunctional start to life, its possible to live your dreams and over come things you thought impossible. Coundn't put this book down love love loved this story
23 May 2018
A sad story showing a greater resilience for life than was expected. That fashionista inside triumphed. Alannah Hill is a whirlwind force of nature
21 September 2018
if you like reading autobiographies, you will love this, I have always been obsessed with Alannah Hill clothing, so that was why I chose this book,
26 July 2018
A very candid story, sad, hilarious, brutally honest. A very difficult story to share I imagine but I’m so glad I read it - you’re a legend Laaaaan! Not to mention beautiful <3
2 December 2018
a thrill to dive into
26 July 2018
Was quite a good book. I was really quite surprised by how humble Alannah is. What an inspirational, creative women.
11 June 2018
Beautifully written, hopeful, delightfully funny and so brave. Her words are as beautiful as her clothes. So enjoyable a journey.
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