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Reckoning
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
17 posts | 23 read | 26 to read
Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia's most beloved performers, tells her story. In this extraordinary memoir, Magda describes her journey of self-discovery from a suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father's espionage activities in wartime Poland and by her secret awareness of her sexuality, to the complex dramas of adulthood and her need to find out the truth about herself and her family. With courage and compassion she addresses her own frailties and fears, and asks the big questions about life, about the shadows we inherit and the gifts we pass on. Honest, poignant, utterly captivating, Reckoning announces the arrival of a fearless writer and natural storyteller. It will touch the lives of its readers. Magda Szubanski is one of Australias best known and most loved performers. She began her career in university revues, then appeared in a number of sketch comedy shows before creating the iconic character of Sharon Strzelecki in ABC-TVs Kath and Kim. She has also acted in films (Babe, Babe: Pig in the City, Happy Feet, The Golden Compass) and stage shows. Reckoning is her first book. A brave and tender book about everything that matters most in life. Cate Blanchett This is a remarkable memoir, that weaves the tragedy of twentieth century history into a personal narrative of coming to terms with family and self, and manages to honour both stories. The writing is assured and controlled, the storytelling expert and thoughtful, the language eloquent and moving. The writing, the story, the voiceall of it is beautiful. Christos Tsiolkas A memoir that will dazzle every kind of reader...Reckoning is a riveting, overwhelmingly poignant autobiography by a woman of genius. It is a book about how someone might live with the idea of killing the thing they love. It is a story of love and death and redemption and a daughters love for her father. It is an extraordinary hymn to the tragic heroism at the heart of ordinary life and the soaring moral scrutiny of womankind. Every library should have it, every school should teach it. Weekend Australian Unlike most autobiographies by famous people, Reckoning has substance beyond the writers fame...Szubanskis fine memoir, written with great style, adds another layer to our history. Crikey This is documentary writing of the highest order and Szubanski has given life to an incredible war story...This tale of war and suburbia, sexuality and comedy, is likely to be the most popular Australian book of the year. Age/Sydney Morning Herald This is an inspiring memoir of a woman who faced her demons, sought treatment for depression and overcame disappointments. Good Reading [Reckoning is] a page-turner...The quality of a memoir depends on how interesting a life the person writing it has had and Szubanski doesn't appear to do dull. She is articulate and likeable as she tries to reconcile herself with the many difficult aspects of her past. New Zealand Herald 'Reckoning is a beautiful and moving story of a serious, thoughtful and complex person.' Paul Barclay, ABC Radio National Books and Arts, Best Books of 2015 Magda Szubanskis brave, compassionateand hilariousReckoning may be some sort of masterpiece of the form. Australian, Best Books of 2015
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AceOnRoam
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed Magda's writing, she is brutally honest and funny. However, the story of her family history is a sad and horrible tale, embroiled in Polish and Irish political violence. Her comedy background through Australian TVs big comedy boom when I was a teenager was so great to read about and I think that knowing the venues, the comedians and the skits being discussed was a great advantage. 5⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤ (Pic starobserver.com.au)
#ReadingOnRoam

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MandaChittles
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Finally getting to this! A memoir of a much loved Aussie comedian. Her Polish, Scottish, British background, charred by WWII, re-birthed in the Australian Victorian countryside (now outer suburbs Melbourne). So much in here - and written in a really accessible way. Short and punchy chapters - ploughing through it.

Oryx Love Kath and Kim. Only thing I know her from. 7y
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Sue
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Ermagahd! Guess who I met today? It was so wonderful to hear Magda talk today. She's so down to earth, hilarious and super inspiring.

Lizpixie Wow! Congratulations, she's amazing! 7y
LeeRHarry That's fab! 😊 7y
melbeautyandbooks So cool! 7y
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MandaChittles Fantastic! Was this in Melbourne?? 7y
Sue @MandaChittles No, Brisbane. She had just come from Melbourne, and passed comment about us being wusses about the cold 😂 7y
MandaChittles Aaahhhh - I'm in Brisbane and I missed it!!!! 7y
Sue @MandaChittles Yay, another Brissy peep! I was pretty lucky - it was a Business Chicks function that my work got tickets for, otherwise I would have missed it too. 7y
MandaChittles Fantastic! Are there any Brisbane-based book clubs? 7y
Sue @MandaChittles Not that I'm aware of. I would suggest you check out avidreader.com.au (located in West End) It's a great Indie store and they host a LOT of author events. 7y
MandaChittles Thanks for the recommendation! 7y
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Sue
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Sunday plans - counting down till I get to see her live this coming week.

Jhullie How is the book? I have been trying to decide whether to get this on audible. 7y
LeeRHarry @Jhullie I'm about halfway through on audible - it's ok. I also have a borrowed hard copy so I can look at the photos 😊 7y
tpixie Love seeing authors! I need to live in a bigger city! 7y
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Joanne1 Amazing book. @Jhullie it's narrated by Magda herself which I really thought added so much to her story. I would highly recommend the audio. 7y
Izai.Amorim 👍 7y
Sue @Jhullie I really enjoyed it, and there were definitely some ready moments. 7y
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McFarchie
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved listening to this. Magda is an Aussie National Treasure 🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺

LeeRHarry Totally agree!!! Next month's book club read 😊 7y
Marchpane Such a wise woman ♥️ 7y
Joanne1 Oh this has to be my favourite ever audio, largely because Magda read it herself with her fabulous Australian voice. 7y
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Sue
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Totally stoked to have scored tickets through my work place to hear Magda Szubanski speak in April. What a great excuse to bump her book up my TBR.

Marchpane Love Magda and this book! ♥️ 7y
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McFarchie
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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90 minutes into this, and it's wonderful. Magda writes beautifully.

Marchpane Loved this so much. Magda is wonderful 💕 7y
LeeRHarry April book club book and I can't wait to read it, Magda is fabulous ! 😊 7y
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Abailliekaras
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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And just remembered this one! I'm on a roll! #autobiography cont. #ReadJanuary 🇦🇺

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LiaMahony
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Pickpick

JUST.READ.THIS.BOOK

A legend Australian with a story that was equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking and confronting.

So much more than a Comedienne.

I don't normally read memoirs, but this is fantastic.

Once you are finished, waste an hour watching Magda videos on YouTube. especially Lynne Postlethwaite and Sharon Strzelecki.

Finally when you are done with that watch Magda on Q&A talking about Same-Sex Marriage.

Amazing woman.

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Marchpane
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski

"Warsaw. War-(sore). In Polish it is pronounced Var-SHA-vah. Lovely. Like the rustle of petticoats in a Viennese waltz. But the English pronunciation, sadly, is more apt."

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Marchpane
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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Pickpick

Not your typical celebrity memoir, in fact it contains little of the public Magda & skims over her comedy career.

Instead, the book belongs to her father as Magda attempts to come to terms with his actions as a teenage assassin and resistance fighter in WWII Poland.

The result is eloquent, sensitive and moving, but guarded in some respects. Maybe someday she'll write another one with more Magda in it. I'd read that one too.

Redheadrambles That portrait is amazing is that on the cover ? 8y
Marchpane @Redheadrambles not the cover, but it would have been a good choice! 8y
Theresa This is definitely going on my TBR pile! And I agree with @Redheadrambles about the portrait. 8y
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag This had over 100 reserves on it at my library 🙈 8y
Marchpane @thegirlwiththelibrarybag Wow that is crazy 😮 I listened to the audio version (read by her of course). She did perfect accents for all her Polish and Scottish relatives👌 8y
EnidBiteEm I listened to her speak about this at Hobart's book launch. She was so intelligent, wise, and entertaining even though Sharon Strezlecki was nowhere to be found. This was one of my favourite books last year. I hope she does write more, fact or fiction. 8y
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Marchpane
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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"'God is the only true biographer,' the Polish priest says, 'because only He knows what is in our souls.' Isn't that what we all hope for? To be understood, finally? Do I know my father as well as God knows him? His friend Ryszard described him as trustworthy, 'a good man to steal a horse with'."

MrBook Nice quote! 8y
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Lizpixie
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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My #recommendsday & #wcw this week is Magda Szubanski and her memoir Reckoning. This Aussie by way of Poland, comedian,actor & author is one of the most fascinating women you'll ever know. From her hysterical skits in Fast Forward (pixie Ann Wheatley anyone?) to Babe, Kath & Kim and then to her recent coming out and now this telling of her family's story, she is one of the most fabulous Australian women of the last century.🇦🇺💚💛🇦🇺

Sue Magda ❤️ 8y
Michelle_mck Couldn't agree more 8y
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LouRead
Reckoning: A Memoir | Magda Szubanski
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This book is on the pile beside my bed because my clever, articulate friend Emily said this:

LiaMahony Have you read it yet? It is amazing. 7y
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