Robin Klein, All in the Blue Unclouded Weather, Text Publishing, 27 Feb 2017, 240 pp., $12.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925498325
Robin Klein, Dresses of Red and Gold, Text Publishing, 27 Feb 2017, 256 pp., $12.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925498332
Robin Klein, Sky in Silver Lace, Text Publishing, 27 Feb 2017, 256 pp., $12.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925498349
Originally published in the ‘90s, the Melling sisters trilogy revolves around four sisters of varying ages and their family and friends, primarily set in the small, fictional outback Australian town of Wilgawa. Right from the first book, All the Blue Unclouded Weather, it’s clear that the stories are, in their very essence, Australian. The context of the upbringing of the girls, and to a lesser extent, the language and slang used, promotes very typically Australian ideals throughout and characterize the story perfectly.
The four Melling sisters, Grace, Cathy, Heather, and Vivienne, live with their mother and erratic father in the small outback town of Wilgawa. Grace is a competent, cultured, stereo-typically eldest child, who is generally disgusted by the ‘uncouth nature’ of her three younger siblings, and moves- in the second book, Dresses of Red and Gold– to the city to pursue a career and board with their aunt. Heather, second eldest, is proud, and although she plays with her sisters, is determined to ‘go places’ in the future. In the third book- The Sky in Silver Lace– she is much more prominent than in the last two, and turns her mind to studying hard for a scholarship and dancing with boys. Cathy, second youngest, is the sporty tomboy of the girls, and spends much of her time competing with the family living on the next property, building her prized tree house, and canoeing in the river near the Melling house. Vivienne, the youngest, is then typically the main character in the series. A dreamer, she annoys almost all of her sisters at one time or another, but is shown as an idealist and romantic, always making up games and stories in her head. Inevitably, her chapters are full of descriptive language as she endeavours to bring a little bit of magic into the lives of the family.
Secondary characters strongly influence the girls- their harebrained yet loving mother, their erratic, rarely present father, and their crazy cousin, Isobel- who constantly gets them into trouble with her blatantly shocking lies and concocted stories- “You’re a piece of work, Isobel Dion!”. Each chapter of the books is a different story, making for easy reading throughout the series. The themes present are also very real, although subtle in some mentions.
Throughout, the Melling family is never considered well-off, especially when they move to the city in the final book. However, a significant theme throughout is although they may not have the money and toys of other families in the small town, their resourcefulness and good cheer never fails to find them tasks, games, and adventures to occupy their time.
Their father also reflects the childlike characteristics shown by some of the girls at times, most notably when Aunt Ivy comes to visit and he is cowed into submission, before leaping off to open another plantation or buy another gold mine.
Overall, the series is a strong salutation towards the joys of childhood and growing up in both Australia in general, and more specifically, in a small outback town. The themes throughout were relevant both at the time of publishing, and now at re-publishing, and each girl offers her love and support to the reader through their respective trials, chapters, and adventures.
A sentimental, intimately Australian series about four loving and warring sisters that is a must-read for any Australian citizen, whether they be the ages of the sisters, or older.
Suitable for ages 8-9+
Reviewed by Amy Cooper
