Aussie, actually captures the heartache of leaving familiar surroundings, family and friends to make a new start in a foreign country.
Written from Lois Nicholls's perspective as a young migrant wife and mother, it tells the warts and all story of her family's journey.
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NOW AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICAN BOOK STORES AND ONLINE
'Aussie, actually' is now available in all major South African bookstores this Christmas. Published by Aardvark Press, it contains new content capturing more of Lois's humorous and honest life experiences in Australia.
Readers' Comments
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!! I have not laughed so hard in a long time. I can so relate to your humorous account on emigrating to Australia. Very well written.
Kathy (Australia)
Well we didn't immigrate to Australia, but your counterpart, New Zealand! Pretty much the same in terms of emotional upheaval and missing family and friends.....Good to hear someone else going through the same emotions and putting pen to paper to capture those thoughts.... and well done Lara, those drawings are beautiful! God bless
Michelle and Mark (New Zealand)
I am an Australian, who moved to the USA 12 years ago and received your book for Christmas. I can really relate to the feelings of culture shock - having visited the US several times before we moved, I thought I was well prepared. I miss Australia and Australians and your book made me feel homesick and laugh all at the same time but with a cup of tea and a Tim Tam I just about coped.
Prue (USA)
'Lois is profoundly grateful that she and her family left South Africa and became Australian citizens. She believed that as a mother of a young child she’d quickly find friends here.
That didn’t happen for a while. She thinks that her accent had something to do with it, and I believe she’s right. On the whole, this is an upbeat account of coming to terms with a new country. Lois feels safe and that’s a novelty. Yet she misses the passionate conversations with friends and strangers. By now, I expect, she has found her niche. We should get over this accent thing...'
Country Style Magazine September 2008
'A great heart-warming account of adjusting to a new world. A great gift for tourists, friends and Aussie larakins.'
Kathryn (Angus & Robertson staff member)
Hey, your book is BRILLIANT! I finally finished it about 3 weeks ago, but life has been so hectic. I love it! It's so real and I have to admit, I laughed, chuckled, screamed and cried because it's so real and I can SOOOOOOO relate, but I do think you had it harder than me!
Desire (Toronto, ON)
'Having emigrated to Australia almost 7 years ago it was a very interesting read ... I felt myself thinking ja ...ja... many times.
It has been a smooth transition for us, but I have my family in Brisbane and have been very lucky to form some truly wonderful friendships !
Congrats on a very balanced tale ...'
Gill (Brisbane)
'The book is fantastic! Thanks for the really good laughs and a couple of tears. I have only lived in Auz for 6 months, but could really identify!
Thanks again and I will be sure to tell everyone to have a read!'
Antoinette (Brisbane)
Hey Lois, am just loving your book, can't put it down and causing me to be late for work everyday!
Cheryl (Kokstad, South Africa)
'Over the past three years of "snot and trana" we so often said someone should write a book about all the things we go through as new immigrants. I received the book yesterday afternoon after collegues heard your talk on the radio and I have already read half. I read out loud to my husband and he kept saying "it sounds just like you" A great read that I am definitely sending back to family & friends in SA to help them understand what we are going through. It should be part of every emmigrations agent's package in SA.'
Jacqueline (Australia)
'We lived in Pietermaritzburg and my Mom, who lives in Howick, sent me a newspaper cutting about your book from "The Witness". We have been in Australia for 8 months. Although we are generally happy so far, we are definitely feeling the culture shock and miss the familiarity of Africa. I have ordered your book today and can't wait for it to arrive!'
Caroline (Australia)
'Great read! Thanks for taking the time to write the book and more so for persevering in printing it! Well done.
Thought I would order a few copies to send to our “international” placements so they can have something real to read and be prepared for their arrival in Oz. So Friday night I couldn’t sleep, thought best I have a read through and make sure the book was sending the “right message” to our candidates. Well, I couldn’t put it down, finished it off in one sitting and enjoyed every last page.
I just wish you published the book 6 years ago when we arrived from SA. I so related to the rollercoaster of emotions one experiences whilst attempting to settle down in a foreign country and to a very different life style. Anxiety, uncertainty, loneliness, fear, guilt and just a general feeling of “verdriet” were all real to me during the years .
To me the message is that it is ok to be vulnerable, call out for help when you get that “sinking feeling” and let us be there for each other in a real and meaningful way.
So good to know that it wasn’t just me trying to put on a brave face!
Thank you and bless you.'
Kristine Berry (Australia)
''I have finished the book - very enjoyable! A warning against reading it on the train, as I found myself laughing very loudly at times, attracting the attention of the "Quiet Police", with their frowns and brooding stares - Sorry!'
Aaron (Australia)
'I so enjoyed reading the book over the weekend. My Aussie wife cannot wait to finish her current book, so that she can start reading yours to see why she was constantly woken up by her husband's loud chuckles. I relate to every page! It will be a great buy as a gift for Australian family and friends so they can finally see my point of view! The book speaks for me - Thankyou very much...I was gutted when it came to an end.'
Clyde (Australia)
'This book made me laugh and cry, but most of all it touched my heart. Lois, what a beautiful book - you have captured the thoughts, struggles and triumphs that so many migrant families face. I cannot wait for next book!'
Laura (Australia)
