WeBuzz
Reader discussion: Seven Little Australians
Public reader discussion about Seven Little Australians in the WeRead Catalog by Ethel Turner.
Australia/NZ based novels, especially mysteries
By SoftIslandRabbit
I read a bunch of books set in the US or the UK, but I’m always more interested when the story is set all over the place. I’ve been curious—does anyone have any favorites that take place in Australia or New Zealand? I also watch movies and shows from that part of the world, but when it comes to books it feels like the only ones I’ve really read are Jane Harper’s. I’ve read all of her stuff and liked it a lot, so I’d love to hear what else is out there. I’m open to pretty much any genre, but I’d especially love mysteries. I’m not into horror though.
Australian characters.
By threadWren1980
Who are your favourite Aussie characters from movies and books?
Characters that really feel like they show Australian culture and attitudes.
A few of the best ones I can think of are:
Mick Dundee.
Bandit Heeler.
Jason Asano.
Darryl Kerrigan.
Seven Little Australians
By WillReads77
I’ve been going through some “classic” Australian books on my holiday and I swear this one (though it’s called a children’s classic) totally got me. I was actually crying at the beach. Most of it, like 90% anyway, was just fun and light, and then the ending hit like a truck. It also reminded me a lot of reading Little Women when I was younger.
Do people in modern Australia still read this one a lot, or is it pretty well-known but not really picked up anymore?
I wish they'd do 'Seven Little Australians' again
By GrandHorse
I really liked the miniseries—was it the 80s?—and yeah, that theme song is stuck in my head in the worst/best way. The casting for the older kids felt a bit off too; like Judy definitely doesn’t look 13. But Ruth Cracknell was just brilliant like always, and it really is a proper classic Australian kids’ story.
That said, I’d love to see the rest of the books made into adaptations. I know everyone mainly talks about the Woolcot family one, but the other ones are good too. It feels like they could rename it something like “The Woolcot Family,” so each season could follow the books without constantly being tied to the “Seven Little Australians” title. First season for Seven Little Australians and Judy and Punch, second for The Family at Misrule, third for Little Mother Meg, and then maybe they could even do re-releases of the books again.
Also, who would you cast? I feel like most of the kids would probably need to be lesser-known actors, and I’d want age-appropriate casting—like Judy who doesn’t look like she’s already in her 20s.
Do any of you also love the books or the miniseries (or both)?