Customer Reviews

Suddenly One Sunday

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This is not actually my review of the book. I haven't read it, and for personal reasons, I may never do so. The review is written by my mother. She is a close friend of the author and his family, and as you'll see knows some of the victims - this is not unusual in a small community such as Tasmania, population less than 500,000 at the time of the events described in the book.

I do know, from reading Mike's articles when he was a journalist, that he is a good writer.

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I have just finished reading Mike Bingham's book 'Suddenly One Sunday' about the Port Arthur massacre. It's such a well-written and balanced book. He covers the whole of Martin Bryant's life and whatever has been deduced about his motivation. While not glossing over the horrible facts or seeking to minimise them in any way, neither does he seek to milk them or dwell horribly on the misery of the victims or survivors (including witnesses and families). Even so, the story is so horrible that even after all this time you can't help but feel saddened by it.

One surprising thing to me was how many of the people who were involved in the massacre and aftermath I know. Some have made good recoveries like Athol Bloomfield, others like Wendy Scurr, less so. Some of the children of the rescuers and witnesses have now also become victims like the daughter of one of the witnesses (I know the daughter, not the mother).