6/19/2023 0 Comments Claire coleman terra nullius![]() ![]() 'Terra nullius', a Latin term, is generally translated as 'nobody's land', meaning that the British claimed the continent for themselves, without a treaty, because they argued that it didn't belong to anyone - and certainly not the natives, because they did not appear to farm it or own it as Europeans understand land ownership (Aboriginal peoples did, in fact, have territory, homes, rich and diverse cultural beliefs and traditions, industry and agriculture, it just wasn't recognised by the colonisers). The title Terra Nullius refers to the British empire's claim upon the continent of Australia, a claim that was justified on the erroneous but useful insistence that it was unclaimed land. Let's not make the same mistake they made with Never Let Me Go, people! ![]() It is also impossible to discuss or review this book without destroying the source of its impact, so I will offer a very short, non-spoiler review followed by a proper one that you should absolutely not read if you intend to read this book. ![]() ![]() This deceptively simple novel offers a powerful and damning examination of Australia's colonial history and the price paid by the continent's diverse first peoples. ![]()
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