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When the Lyrebird Calls
When Madeleine is shipped off to stay with her eccentric grandmother for the holidays, she expects the usual: politics, early-morning yoga, extreme health food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine tumbles back in time to 1900, where the wealthy Williamson family takes her into their home, Lyrebird Muse.
At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home.
Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything...
At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home.
Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything...
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2016
2 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Kim Kane
32 books13 followersKim Kane was born in London in a bed bequeathed by Wordsworth to . . . ‘a writer, a painter or a poet.’ Despite this auspicious beginning, she went on to practise law.
Kim's picture book Family Forest was shortlisted for the 2011 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards. The Vegetable Ark was a 2011 CBCA Notable Book in two categories. Kim's first novel, Pip: the story of Olive, won the 2008 Barbara Ramsden Award and was shortlisted for the 2009 Australian Book Industry Awards and the Speech Pathology Australian awards.
Kim lives with her family in Melbourne. She writes whenever and wherever she can.
Kim's picture book Family Forest was shortlisted for the 2011 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards. The Vegetable Ark was a 2011 CBCA Notable Book in two categories. Kim's first novel, Pip: the story of Olive, won the 2008 Barbara Ramsden Award and was shortlisted for the 2009 Australian Book Industry Awards and the Speech Pathology Australian awards.
Kim lives with her family in Melbourne. She writes whenever and wherever she can.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 24, 2016
I received this title from Allen & Unwin for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
A loose tribute to the Australian classic Playing Beatie Bow. On a trip to bring some antique shoes she has discovered to the local museum, Madeleine finds herself unexpectedly whisked back to the early 1900s.
When the Lyrebird Calls is essentially a story about women and girls; the ways in which their lives have been shaped and directed by the expectations of society and the ways in which they have rebelled, quietly and personally or loudly and publicly, as the case may be. Madeleine is a sporty girl, her grandmother a hippy, yoga-loving, clean-eating independent sort, and the girls from the historical period of the story are variously tomboyish, ladylike and completely ignored. Much of the plot arc involves Madeleine coming to an understanding of how the lives of these historical women differ from her own, and how much she owes to the personal sacrifice of the women that have come before her. Kane has done a great job of highlighting the pertinent issues of the time - and in particular, the suffragist movement - without labouring the point in an overtly teachy sort of way. Many of the finer points around women's social power are revealed through family dynamics and the quiet upheaval that takes place when the German cousin Elfriede comes into the picture. Overall, the story hangs together quite well, with loose ends from the beginning of the story (set in the current time period) tied up by the end of Madeleine's historic adventure.
Only two things brought this book down for me. One was the pacing: the historical period of the story moves along quite imagesedately and with much decorum, punctuated with a few moments of pinafore-ruffling action, but I was hoping for a few more near-misses or instances where Madeleine felt in danger, or at least in danger of being discovered as an interloper from the future. This is just a personal preference though, and others might find the pace perfectly suits the setting.
The other thing that annoyed me slightly was the fact that the author obviously wanted to highlight issues of racism in the historical period, but kept signposting the fact by having Madeleine take particular note every time somebody did or said something racist (albeit typical of the historical period). These instances did feel a bit overtly didactic, and somewhat out of keeping with the authenticity of the story. Obviously, in order to authentically recreate the historical period, societal attitudes, however unsavoury, have to be recreated also, but most of the instances of racism seemed to be included simply to say, "Look! People in the past were overtly racist all of the time!" Ezra, the indigenous servant/groundsman/horseman of the family seemed to serve little purpose other than as a reference point for Madeleine to note that (a) people are racist toward him and (b) she hasn't actually ever spoken to an indigenous person before. This second point could probably have been the basis for a meaningful bit of learning for Madeleine once she returns home from the past, but is never mentioned again, with greater emphasis being placed on the issue of women's rights.
The most interesting thing about this book is the fact that it is being marketed as being "in the tradition of Playing Beatie Bow", the Australian classic time-slip tale by Ruth Park. You can see by comparing the covers of the two books that there has been a conscious attempt to connect the two in the minds of readers. Good old Beatie was a set text for many primary school kids of the era, so perhaps the marketing gurus are counting on adult readers (and particularly teachers!) making the link and picking up Kane's tome, but apart from the few obvious similarities, the two books could be read as companion novels, rather than one being a straight re-telling or re-imagining of the other. While Park's story took place in the slummy environment of The Rocks, with a Scottish immigrant family and constant threats of being beaten yeller and green, Kane's story is set in the grand house of an upper-class family of ladies. The romance theme of Park's work is missing from Kane's story (thank the Lord!) and When the Lyrebird Calls is lacking the dark, gritty atmosphere and almost ghost-story quality of Playing Beatie Bow. This is probably a good thing if, like me, the front cover of Park's book and the eerie skipping-rhyme poem gave you the heebie jeebies as a kid. Canny teachers will no doubt be pleased to have a newer time-slip story of the same historical period to introduce to their students, either alongside or as a substitute for the original classic.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, particularly in a book targeted at upper primary, lower secondary readers, I would definitely recommend giving When the Lyrebird Calls a go.
Ten Second Synopsis:
A loose tribute to the Australian classic Playing Beatie Bow. On a trip to bring some antique shoes she has discovered to the local museum, Madeleine finds herself unexpectedly whisked back to the early 1900s.
When the Lyrebird Calls is essentially a story about women and girls; the ways in which their lives have been shaped and directed by the expectations of society and the ways in which they have rebelled, quietly and personally or loudly and publicly, as the case may be. Madeleine is a sporty girl, her grandmother a hippy, yoga-loving, clean-eating independent sort, and the girls from the historical period of the story are variously tomboyish, ladylike and completely ignored. Much of the plot arc involves Madeleine coming to an understanding of how the lives of these historical women differ from her own, and how much she owes to the personal sacrifice of the women that have come before her. Kane has done a great job of highlighting the pertinent issues of the time - and in particular, the suffragist movement - without labouring the point in an overtly teachy sort of way. Many of the finer points around women's social power are revealed through family dynamics and the quiet upheaval that takes place when the German cousin Elfriede comes into the picture. Overall, the story hangs together quite well, with loose ends from the beginning of the story (set in the current time period) tied up by the end of Madeleine's historic adventure.
Only two things brought this book down for me. One was the pacing: the historical period of the story moves along quite imagesedately and with much decorum, punctuated with a few moments of pinafore-ruffling action, but I was hoping for a few more near-misses or instances where Madeleine felt in danger, or at least in danger of being discovered as an interloper from the future. This is just a personal preference though, and others might find the pace perfectly suits the setting.
The other thing that annoyed me slightly was the fact that the author obviously wanted to highlight issues of racism in the historical period, but kept signposting the fact by having Madeleine take particular note every time somebody did or said something racist (albeit typical of the historical period). These instances did feel a bit overtly didactic, and somewhat out of keeping with the authenticity of the story. Obviously, in order to authentically recreate the historical period, societal attitudes, however unsavoury, have to be recreated also, but most of the instances of racism seemed to be included simply to say, "Look! People in the past were overtly racist all of the time!" Ezra, the indigenous servant/groundsman/horseman of the family seemed to serve little purpose other than as a reference point for Madeleine to note that (a) people are racist toward him and (b) she hasn't actually ever spoken to an indigenous person before. This second point could probably have been the basis for a meaningful bit of learning for Madeleine once she returns home from the past, but is never mentioned again, with greater emphasis being placed on the issue of women's rights.
The most interesting thing about this book is the fact that it is being marketed as being "in the tradition of Playing Beatie Bow", the Australian classic time-slip tale by Ruth Park. You can see by comparing the covers of the two books that there has been a conscious attempt to connect the two in the minds of readers. Good old Beatie was a set text for many primary school kids of the era, so perhaps the marketing gurus are counting on adult readers (and particularly teachers!) making the link and picking up Kane's tome, but apart from the few obvious similarities, the two books could be read as companion novels, rather than one being a straight re-telling or re-imagining of the other. While Park's story took place in the slummy environment of The Rocks, with a Scottish immigrant family and constant threats of being beaten yeller and green, Kane's story is set in the grand house of an upper-class family of ladies. The romance theme of Park's work is missing from Kane's story (thank the Lord!) and When the Lyrebird Calls is lacking the dark, gritty atmosphere and almost ghost-story quality of Playing Beatie Bow. This is probably a good thing if, like me, the front cover of Park's book and the eerie skipping-rhyme poem gave you the heebie jeebies as a kid. Canny teachers will no doubt be pleased to have a newer time-slip story of the same historical period to introduce to their students, either alongside or as a substitute for the original classic.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, particularly in a book targeted at upper primary, lower secondary readers, I would definitely recommend giving When the Lyrebird Calls a go.
November 14, 2016
Well I adored it! This book had many things I love in good YA Aussie fiction; strong female characters, strong friendship/family themes, historical bent, mentions of lollies, and a sweet, sad story line. While I would never call this book action packed, it does have that quaint quality I love about books from the era that Madeleine actually fell into. For all she hates the manners and the odd clothing, I love those kinds of things!
I was particularly drawn to this book from the beautiful cover, and the unknown of the girls looking out from it. Matching the names to the faces there was a game I played as I read, and each girl's personality grew more. Plus, I've always love lyrebirds and so was drawn to the title as well.
A real little gem of a book, definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. Five stars!
I was particularly drawn to this book from the beautiful cover, and the unknown of the girls looking out from it. Matching the names to the faces there was a game I played as I read, and each girl's personality grew more. Plus, I've always love lyrebirds and so was drawn to the title as well.
A real little gem of a book, definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. Five stars!
December 15, 2016
Time-slip novels for young adults seem to be all the rage, particularly with Australian writers. It is a tradition started by our wonderful Ruth Park with Playing Beattie Bow and she set a very high benchmark. Belinda Murrell has written some cracking good books in this genre, and now we have Kim Kane entering the field.
My issues with this book I feel come from being an adult reading a YA novel, so I'm hoping that the intended audience will not be put off by them.
I feel Kane is trying too hard to make a point, or two, about our Australian past: there is the Aboriginal servant wanting to return "home"; a suffragette Aunt fighting for the vote for women; use of racist terms such as 'half-caste' and 'native'. I kept feeling Kane has too many messages that she is trying to convey about how far we have come since Federation. It felt a bit like a sermon to me.
However, as an adventure about a modern-day girl being transported to a time where she had to behave in a certain way, (including wearing corsets) it's a great read.
I hope younger readers will get lost in the story, and, unintentionally, learn about our past, and appreciate how far we have come in just over 100 years.
My issues with this book I feel come from being an adult reading a YA novel, so I'm hoping that the intended audience will not be put off by them.
I feel Kane is trying too hard to make a point, or two, about our Australian past: there is the Aboriginal servant wanting to return "home"; a suffragette Aunt fighting for the vote for women; use of racist terms such as 'half-caste' and 'native'. I kept feeling Kane has too many messages that she is trying to convey about how far we have come since Federation. It felt a bit like a sermon to me.
However, as an adventure about a modern-day girl being transported to a time where she had to behave in a certain way, (including wearing corsets) it's a great read.
I hope younger readers will get lost in the story, and, unintentionally, learn about our past, and appreciate how far we have come in just over 100 years.
May 2, 2020
I wanted to love this story, but I have an awkward relationship with time-slip novels about adolescent girls (and presumably about adolescent boys, but I can't point to one I've read recently enough to remember). This one does a lot of things right, with the characterisation, the story line, the refusal to whitewash and sanitise Australian history, the conflicting perspectives of the two main characters. And it does a really good job of introducing a lot of concepts, handling the political climate surrounding Federation and suffrage in Australia. There are some really well done scenes showing both the diversity of the Australian community at the time and the racism and sexism inherent in the system.
But I really struggled with the protagonist. I don't know if I would have had the same issue reading as an adolescent, but I frequently had to put the book down and go away for a period of time, because I just knew things were about to be dodgy. And I wasn't entirely convinced that all of the sub-plots were necessary. . I suspect that some of this might be characteristic of early career writers, and i'm interested in seeing where Kane goes to next (and will be looking out for one of their other books)
But I really struggled with the protagonist. I don't know if I would have had the same issue reading as an adolescent, but I frequently had to put the book down and go away for a period of time, because I just knew things were about to be dodgy. And I wasn't entirely convinced that all of the sub-plots were necessary. . I suspect that some of this might be characteristic of early career writers, and i'm interested in seeing where Kane goes to next (and will be looking out for one of their other books)
May 8, 2017
A solidly-written timeslip tale that takes a thoughtful look at a key moment in Australia's past from the perspective of those on its fringes, barred from participation by the fact of their gender (and, to a lesser extent, race - if there was one character I wanted to see more of, it was Percy). The characters are well-drawn and not idealised, but not demonised either; I'd have liked a little less tell and a little more show regarding Maddie's interest in sports, which doesn't really get a moment on-stage until the cricket game, but she comes across believably as an active, energetic girl throughout. Of the adults, Mum Crum and Aunt Hen really stick out as great, interesting characters. I worked out the final surprise well before it was revealed on the page, but thought it well-handled anyway, and Maddie's eventual moment of empathy for the distant and annoying Bea felt earned.
January 3, 2020
What a terrific book! I enjoy a time-slip novel, but not everyone does them well. It can be difficult to balance modern values and beliefs with historical views, and to explain the reasons for these differing views, but Kim Kane does this very well. I particularly enjoyed the twist at the end. Recommended for Australian middle graders (Yr 5-7) and for teachers looking for a way to explore a unit on Australian democracy.
June 28, 2017
I really liked the idea and research that went into this, but there wasn't enough action. I thought the book was too long, without enough plot to warrant it. I would have liked to see more conflict between modern Madeleine and the 1900s. I think students might find this one a bit slow, even though it fits well with Stage 3 curriculum.
August 22, 2017
This is a junior fiction that I would certainly recommend to young readers. I would have enjoyed the plot and the characters if I had of read it as a younger reader. The low rating I have given it is because I did not enjoy it as an older reader. I am sure however that it would appeal to a younger reader.
September 2, 2020
Felt a bit flat to me--basically time travel tourism to the home of a wealthy Australian family in 1900, with some small family drama but not much happening and not enough strong emotional story. Sort of like looking through an old photo album.
June 4, 2017
Time slip story -Federation and universal suffrage
July 20, 2018
An enthralling read, with the main character going back in time after stumbling upon a stone structure, and being thrust into the year 1900 lives of her ancestors.
August 4, 2022
I wanted to live in this book
August 15, 2022
An okay childrens story
May 18, 2017
Tweens and adults alike enjoyed this wonderful story and absolutely loved the ending. It is amazing what we take for granted and it stimulated many discussions about the rights of women, aboriginies and right/wrong and shades of greys, not to mention when can we meet a lyrebird. Thanks Kim you provided a thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable read!
Read
February 23, 2017A time-slip novel in which Madeleine finds herself transported back to 1900 Australia, where she befriends a family of girls and is witness to a family secret and a family tragedy.
When Madeleine is shipped off to stay with her eccentric grandmother for the holidays, she expects the usual: politics, early-morning yoga, extreme health food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine tumbles back in time to 1900, where the wealthy Williamson family takes her into their home, Lyrebird Muse.
At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home.
Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything...
When Madeleine is shipped off to stay with her eccentric grandmother for the holidays, she expects the usual: politics, early-morning yoga, extreme health food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine tumbles back in time to 1900, where the wealthy Williamson family takes her into their home, Lyrebird Muse.
At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home.
Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything...
January 27, 2018
Madeline has to stay the winter holidays with her Grandmother Mum Crum who renovated houses and lives on vegetable smoothies and exercise in Elf Cottage with an English garden in a small town outside Melbourne. It’s cold and her eccentric grandmother is a challenge.
After an early morning swim, Mum Crum sets Madeline the task of working on a huge old cupboard that’s in her room. Sanding it down and painting it was not her preferred holiday activity. If only she’d been able to stay at her best friend’s house instead. While working on the cupboard Madeline finds a secret compartment. In it, they discover a box with a very old pair of shoes inside. Not the treasure Mum Crum hopes for, but to Madeline they are, and she puts them on. Apart from a list of names and addresses, there’s nothing else in the secret drawer.
Mum Crum suggests Madeline take the list and the shoes down to ‘Lyrebird Muse’ a museum in a formerly grand home used as a summer retreat by a wealthy family in the previous century. The stone building is an impressive landmark in the district dating to the time before Federation. Lyrebirds had once been plentiful in the Dandenong’s but no longer. Dressed in Mum Crum’s old black turtleneck jumper and woolly skirt she heads off.
The caretaker at the Muse doesn’t give Madeline time to explain why she’s there and sends her on her way. Walking away after going down the hill to a park then past it to an old woolshed she finds a lane she hadn’t been on before. The shoes are hard to walk in and she sits down near some stones. ‘Maddison 4 Kai’ was carved into one of them. She pushes her nail into the K of Kai and wobbles the rock, she pushes some more till the rock tilts on its point and flips. On the back of the stone is a picture. Madeline is amazed to see a Lyrebird strutting nearby. She’d never seen one before, not even in a zoo.
The beautiful bird makes a gong sound that isn’t like a bird call at all. Then, a girl with a round face asks her, ‘What are you doing? I want to know what you are doing in Bea’s dress slippers?’ Madeline quickly discovers she’s was no longer in her own time and that little girls behave very differently in this era. How was she going to get back home to Mum Crum?
This is a beautifully written time slip book. After seeing Kim Kane at Somerset Literature Festival in 2017, I was intrigued to see how her detailed research would help the book evolve. I was delighted to see how the history of pre-Federation Australia wound into this time slip story.
After an early morning swim, Mum Crum sets Madeline the task of working on a huge old cupboard that’s in her room. Sanding it down and painting it was not her preferred holiday activity. If only she’d been able to stay at her best friend’s house instead. While working on the cupboard Madeline finds a secret compartment. In it, they discover a box with a very old pair of shoes inside. Not the treasure Mum Crum hopes for, but to Madeline they are, and she puts them on. Apart from a list of names and addresses, there’s nothing else in the secret drawer.
Mum Crum suggests Madeline take the list and the shoes down to ‘Lyrebird Muse’ a museum in a formerly grand home used as a summer retreat by a wealthy family in the previous century. The stone building is an impressive landmark in the district dating to the time before Federation. Lyrebirds had once been plentiful in the Dandenong’s but no longer. Dressed in Mum Crum’s old black turtleneck jumper and woolly skirt she heads off.
The caretaker at the Muse doesn’t give Madeline time to explain why she’s there and sends her on her way. Walking away after going down the hill to a park then past it to an old woolshed she finds a lane she hadn’t been on before. The shoes are hard to walk in and she sits down near some stones. ‘Maddison 4 Kai’ was carved into one of them. She pushes her nail into the K of Kai and wobbles the rock, she pushes some more till the rock tilts on its point and flips. On the back of the stone is a picture. Madeline is amazed to see a Lyrebird strutting nearby. She’d never seen one before, not even in a zoo.
The beautiful bird makes a gong sound that isn’t like a bird call at all. Then, a girl with a round face asks her, ‘What are you doing? I want to know what you are doing in Bea’s dress slippers?’ Madeline quickly discovers she’s was no longer in her own time and that little girls behave very differently in this era. How was she going to get back home to Mum Crum?
This is a beautifully written time slip book. After seeing Kim Kane at Somerset Literature Festival in 2017, I was intrigued to see how her detailed research would help the book evolve. I was delighted to see how the history of pre-Federation Australia wound into this time slip story.
November 13, 2016
So glad I was choosen to receive the early proof of this book. I didn't actually realise it was a young person's book - on the back it says for ages 10 to 13. I guess at that age I was fascinated by The Lion, the witch and wardrobe and this has a slightly similar feeling. A time-slip into an different age and but in this case, the same place. Definitely enjoyable for an adult such as myself and more especially because I am deeply interested in my family genealogy in the time....they characters bring this era to life!
What an imagination the author must have - all the tie in's. And great research undertaken to bring the emancipation of women's rights, the forming of the Australian federation and the treatment of Aboriginal people all into the web that is the Williamson family. A story of fiction but seems so real.
The lyrebird - what a hoot. I have spent endless time since listening to them on you-tube.
I won't spoil the ending but a creative tie up of loose ends which I actually read a couple of times to get it all straight in my end - with a wee flick back to the start too............but I will stop there!
What an imagination the author must have - all the tie in's. And great research undertaken to bring the emancipation of women's rights, the forming of the Australian federation and the treatment of Aboriginal people all into the web that is the Williamson family. A story of fiction but seems so real.
The lyrebird - what a hoot. I have spent endless time since listening to them on you-tube.
I won't spoil the ending but a creative tie up of loose ends which I actually read a couple of times to get it all straight in my end - with a wee flick back to the start too............but I will stop there!
February 5, 2017
Factual and fanciful, this time-slip novel really does have the essence of Playing Beatie Bow about it as proclaimed. Kane's solid narrative juxtaposes Victorian staunch with 2000-something flippancy as modern day Madelaine is unexpectedly thrown into the past and, as it turns out, her own colourful family history. Each of the young characters is beautifully carved out of 1900 oneness creating some interesting and entertaining opportunities to unite historical milestones with later day actualities. It's a journey of self discovery for tween Maddy Moo which teenage girls in particular should find as spellbinding as the mimicking cheek of the Lyrebird.
December 31, 2017
Update Dec 2017:
I just finished Kim Kane's previous book Cry Blue Murder which is so much more spectacular than this. Is that due to co-author Marion Roberts providing all the spark and suspense?
When the Lyrebird Calls is ok, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a high tolerance for not much happening.
I just finished Kim Kane's previous book Cry Blue Murder which is so much more spectacular than this. Is that due to co-author Marion Roberts providing all the spark and suspense?
When the Lyrebird Calls is ok, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a high tolerance for not much happening.
July 6, 2017
Not a terribly difficult book to get through - it's aimed at the 10-13 age group - but it also accomplishes this without dumbing down its audience. I think that between the strength of the narrative and the themes it discusses, this is the kind of book that's going to end up in more than a few school libraries.
Read
January 3, 2017awesome, imaginative yet not far from truths. a wonderful comparison between times
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews