“Australians from all walks of life were inspired and moved by her fire and passion. Here she was using her voice, and encouraging others to use theirs too,” the description continues, adding that the memoir will serve as “Grace’s story, in Grace’s words, on Grace’s terms”.
“Like Grace, it is sharply intelligent, deeply felt and often blisteringly funny. And, as with all her work, it offers a constructive and optimistic vision for a better future for all of us.”
A survivor of child sexual abuse, Tame’s courageous advocacy was the catalyst in overturning the oppressive ‘victim gag laws’ in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Her mission was, and remains, to shine a spotlight on the ugly reality of child grooming and sexual abuse and show Australia that our culture of staying silent allows the corruption to continue.
“I get frustrated when people only want to focus on the negative details—tell me about your rape; take us back to your darkest moment,” she previously said as our marie claire cover star. “When there’s all this rage and widespread shock, we can get stuck in a cycle of darkness—and that’s not productive.”
As for The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, Tame also noted that the book’s front cover was hand-illustrated by herself. What some may not know is that Tame is a talented artist, who toured the US as comedian John Cleese’s illustrator.
“I’ve also illustrated the cover, using a cheapo $1 ballpoint pen from Woolies. Go on, I’m ready for the two-headed Tasmanian jokes,” she joked.
Grace Tame’s memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, is due to be released on July 27 2022, and is currently available for pre-order at Pan Macmillan now.
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