Nonfiction Readers Challenge: Bowraville by Dan Box

Australian Authors, Book Reviews, Nonfiction reader challenge, reading challenge update 1 Minutes

Nonfictionchallenge2020

Screenshot_20200130_091042Since signing up to the Nonfiction Readers Challenge I’m inspired to read a few more nonfiction books this year. I chose to do the Nonfiction Nipper, which was to read 3 books from any category. I’ve got quite a few nonfiction books lined up to read this year, so I’m positive I’ll be able to move up to the next level.

My first book is something very different for me. Bowraville by Dan Box is a true crime novel, that is also, in my opinion part memoir.

I listened to the audiobook of this which is read by Dan Box, something I prefer when listening to a memoir as I think they can really get across the emotions and messages they are trying to convey.

This is just one terrible story of injustice that has happened in Australia and to the Aboriginal people. Three children murdered in a space of 5 months and now 29 years later their families have never had justice.

We hear about the officers who were first approached when each child went missing and how the families were told, “They’ve probably gone walkabout”. One of these children was 4 years old! I was disgusted by the behaviour of the police at the beginning of these events and then completely disbelieving of the way the cases were handled once they were deemed something more sinister. The local police, who were in no way up to handling a missing person case let alone a murder case, or serial murders, were given very little help from the authorities in the city.

Dan tells an interesting story that made me angry at the way aboriginal people were and are treated in the event of a crime. The racism in the town was just as disappointing and I’m baffled how people think the way they do.

Sometimes the story felt a bit repetitive, but I think that was Dan Box’s way of reiterating the injustice of these cases and the injustices of the law.

A worthwhile read if you are interested in true crime and the way the law doesn’t always work.

Published by Claire Louisa

I am an avid reader who will read just about anywhere I can. I have a TBR pile I doubt I will ever get through. I read a large variety of genres and love learning about other peoples cultures and experiences through fiction. I love reading and reviewing books & supporting #australianwomenwriters, #aussieauthors & #indieauthors #mmromancereader and LGBTQ+ supporter 🏳️‍🌈. I am an artist, an Art Therapist at Healing heART Therapy & a disability support worker. This year I will be studying cert 4 in mental health.

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17 thoughts on “Nonfiction Readers Challenge: Bowraville by Dan Box”

    1. It was absolutely terrible, I’d never heard of it until I saw the book in kmart the other week. It really does make you angry when you understand all that went on, and all that didn’t. And the way our law doesn’t work in many cases. It’s a very sad case indeed, but as he investigates, there are a fair amount of murders, especially indigenous ones that aren’t treated with the importance they should be.

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        1. This was in NSW, a state you would expect more from. Actually we should expect more from all States. And some of our laws are so unjust, some date back to the first settlers, isn’t it time they were changed so justice can actually happen. NT has been on the news a lot, especially youth detention.

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        3. I wonder if it will ever really change. Their are many people who could instigate change who just don’t care enough to do anything about it.

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    1. It was very good, a good choice for me too because I’m pretty passionate about the treatment aboriginal people get dealt. It made me very angry.

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