Selected as a non-fiction “best of the month” in July by Kobo
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“I know there are other people out there, just like me. People who think they are alone in life and that their cards have been dealt … But now I know there’s always time for change and there’s always a better path. You just have to look for it.” – Jimmy Barnes, Working Class Boy
Pretty Girls is a visceral narrative of violence, personal tragedy and female resilience set against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most politically charged communities, Redfern, where sinister racial tensions underpin everything.
Evie is a woman in her mid-thirties who returns to her hometown to meet with her dying father. In coming back to the place where she grew up she has to revisit her history of violence – the death of her mother, the suicide of her brother and the domestic violence that occurred in her home. Her father only has a short time to live – she expects to find him a changed man. But he’s not. He’s unrepentant and unapologetic for his actions.
Evie has to reclaim her story – she’s not just a pretty girl, she won’t just sit down, be quiet, stay still – but getting there is more than tough, more than an ordeal – it’s a mammoth display of tenacity and strength.
Pretty Girls is ultimately a story of triumph. Evie rises from the ashes of a hellish past and re-writes her story.
There is a part of Evie in every woman and Pretty Girls seeks to start a movement.
#iamevie aims to spearhead an empowered future for women across the world.
Lisa –
A story for all women seeking to reclaim their power and write their own narrative.
General –
A stunning narrative of personal resilience and triumph set against a history of violence.
Veronica –
This story exposes the violence and racism often hidden politely under the surface of Australia’s history.
Veronica –
Provides exposure to the social issues of domestic violence, rape, depression and suicide.
Dymocks –
PRETTY GIRLS by Lisa Portolan and Samantha McDonald is the type of book that will shatter your heart into little pieces, and we mean that in the best possible way. Evie’s journey breaks you then it puts you back together again, healed and whole. Ultimately, a very rewarding read!
Josh Langley PODCASt –
Podcast – JOSH LANGLEY GETS TO KNOW CHAT SHOW
https://youtu.be/SPB5XzVuMuc
**trigger warning**
We discuss sensitive topics in this discussion. Please talk to someone if any of the topics raises any issues or trauma.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 Youth Focus 6266 4333 (WA) Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Fernwood Fitness Women Supporting Women Podcast –
Fernwood Fitness ‘Women Supporting Women’ Podcast – Pretty Girls
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4F2gwg1DsdCV6fq98zbCKe?si=jiOe1delTyGnzYyrvTbnUw
**trigger warning**
We discuss sensitive topics in this discussion. Please talk to someone if any of the topics raises any issues or trauma.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14 Youth Focus 6266 4333 (WA) Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Josh Langley. Award winning children’s author and mental health advocate. –
Pretty Girls is one of the bravest books of 2020, putting the devastating effects of domestic violence and sexual assault back into the spotlight when so much else is happening. Lisa Portolan and Samantha McDonald’s powerful and confronting story will hopefully empower women from all walks of life to find their own voice and just as importantly, for men to listen.
@kim.stevenson.farmakis –
It’s been a few years since I’ve read a complete book in a day, I couldn’t put this down! There is an Evie in all of us! Heartbreakingly beautiful! ~ @kim.stevenson.farmakis athlete, speaker, author and all round Wonder Woman.
@a_jay2015 –
Pretty Girls’ is brutal, honest, and open – and it is amazing! ~ @a_jay2015
@jae_em_dee –
Speaking your truth allows room for others to do the same! @jae_em_dee
Qi75 –
Every Man must read this book! @qi75
Trish –
A powerful story of female resilience! @eyelashiousbytrish
Naomi –
Gritty, honest and compelling. Heart breaking and heart warming.
Evie is a survivor and I applaud stories about domestic violence so that it will be discussed and not normalised. I know ‘pretty girls’ who have had similar difficulties; it can be be a curse.
Amazing story, can’t wait for the movie! 🥰
Steve Matthews –
Pretty girls: raw and at times confronting as Evie’s story and life are exposed. A great read – an important subject that needs more exposure. A great job well done by Lisa Portolan and Samantha McDonald. Congratulations.
Swar3000 –
Brilliant… to be read and reread
Pretty Girls is gritty, beautiful and keeps driving you from highs and lows with the constant need to see Evie rise from the ashes. This is a book that needs to be read. The characters are created with such depth it felt quite ‘real’ congratulations to the authors on a timely book, a great read.
Ballarat Writers –
Pretty Girls could easily be dismissed as just another account of male violence, racism, and hardship. But this is not a story of exposure or retribution; it’s a story of healing and self-reconciliation, of Evie taking back her life story. It is about finding love and of giving and receiving, a story of optimism.
Book review: Pretty Girls by Lisa Portolan & Samantha McDonald – Ballarat Writers
Joanne GoodReads –
Grateful to the author for having the strength to tell her story; both admirable and inspiring. Such an important read.
Ann Good Reads –
Powerful gritty story of domestic violence, drug abuse and racism set in Sydney’s Redfern. That’s probably enough to frighten you away but it’s worth reading this story of a young woman’s heartache and resilience and also one of the positive male indigenous characters that I’ve read in a book by a non-indigenous author.
Goodreads Lerrum –
A bittersweet story.
Goodreads Taylr –
Story of heartbreak and resilience,
Online Review –
Grateful to the author for having the strength to tell her story; both admirable and inspiring. Such an important read.
Online Review –
Powerful gritty story of domestic violence, drug abuse and racism set in Sydney’s Redfern. That’s probably enough to frighten you away but it’s worth reading this story of a young woman’s heartache and resilience and also one of the positive male indigenous characters that I’ve read in a book by a non-indigenous author.
Online Review –
A bittersweet story.
Online Review –
This was a great book
Ballarat Writers –
Pretty Girls could easily be dismissed as just another account of male violence, racism, and hardship. But this is not a story of exposure or retribution; it’s a story of healing and self-reconciliation, of Evie taking back her life story. It is about finding love and of giving and receiving, a story of optimism.
Online Review –
Brilliant… to be read and reread.
Online Review –
Pretty Girls is gritty, beautiful and keeps driving you from highs and lows with the constant need to see Evie rise from the ashes. This is a book that needs to be read. The characters are created with such depth it felt quite ‘real’ congratulations to the authors on a timely book, a great read.