Every secret thing

"In the Aboriginal missions of far northern Australia, it was a battle between saving souls and saving traditional culture." "Every Secret Thing is a rough, tough, hilarious portrayal of the Bush Mob and the Mission Mob, and the hapless clergy trying to convert them. In these tales, everyone is fair game." "At once playful and sharp, Marie Munkara's wonderfully original stories cast a taunting new light on the mission era in Australia."--Back cover

Every secret thing by Marie Munkara won the David Unaipon Award in 2008 and was subsequently published by University of Queensland Press under the terms of the Award. The book was also awarded the 2010 Northern Territory Book of the Year. Munkara's novel is set on a Northern Territory mission and follows the clash of cultures between the mission mob and the bush mob. It is a witty and irreverent account of Roman Catholic priests confronting traditional culture. The book is described as humorous and brilliantly observant. One of the Award judges wrote '...Bold and important. This is a book that has the potential to change the course of things. A different and original voice. ...Subversive and refreshing.'

Marie Munkara is of Rembarranga descent and was born along the Mainoru River in Arnhem Land. She now lives in Darwin.

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