Summary

Like many Australians, Monica Tan grew up with a patchy understanding of Australian history and Aboriginal culture.

But she also harboured a belief that, as a Chinese Australian, her relationship with Aboriginal Australia was different from that of a European Australian.

She set off on a 6-month road trip in search of "a story of friendship in adversity, of two ancient cultures actively resisting Western imperialism".

What she discovered proved to be more complex and confronting. to some Aboriginal people, she was just another opportunist using Aboriginal Australia to "find themselves".

Many others, however, welcomed her openness and hunger to experience "country". 

Tan's multicultural perspective, in combination with her intense engagement with the land, its people and history, make for a refreshing re-appraisal of what it means to be Australian.