Australian Adoptive Memoir is a rare genre of life writing. We encourage you to read, share and ask your local library to source these important works of truth telling.
Many of the works written within this genre are independently published and some may be out of print.
-
Works written by Australian adoptive parents from the Forced Adoption Era are NOT included owing to the pro-adoptive tropes.
Please get in touch if there is a memoir missing from this list as we do know there are many works being crafted right now!
Crazy Bastard: A memoir of forced adoption – Derek Pedley/Abe Maddison 2023
Child in the Clouds. A memoir in verse about adoption trauma. Julia Kaylock (Vale) 2021
Lifting the lid: A memoir of Adoption – Karen Ingham 2021
Dirty Laundry. The crimes a country tried to hide – Lily Arthur 2021
Tree of Strangers. – Barbara Sumner 2020 (NZ filmmaker & journalist)
Ten Doors Down – Robert Tickner 2020
Little One – Paul Papathanasiou 2019
Heartlines: The year I met my Mother – Susannah McFarlane & Robin Leuba 2016
I knew you’d have brown eyes – Mary Tennant 2016
Adoption Deception: A personal and professional journey- Penny Mackieson 2015
Run for your life – Jill Jolliffe 2014
Shadows in Paradise: A Memoir – Carolann Dowding 2013
A long way home - Saroo Brierley 2013
Surviving Secrets – Margaret Watson 2010
Shadows in Paradise: A Memoir – Carolann Dowding 2013
Delinquent Angel – Diana Georgeff 2011
Coming Home to Truth – Judith Roseboom 2010 (self-published booklet – out of print)
The Lucy Family Alphabet- Judith Lucy 2008
