AustLit

‘With a meticulously researched, absorbing verse narrative, Colleen Keating brings Olive Muriel Pink’s significant, neglected history to life with distinctive, beautiful imagery. In powerful lyrical stanzas, she tells the story of Olive’s struggle for recognition as a female anthropologist, her lifelong work for the rights of the Warlpiri and Arrernte people she loved and lived among, and the creation of her arid garden. “High on a camel swaying to and fro / with a straight back and a broad smile / Olive rides into her future.” Olive’s persistence, her triumphs and her passion for justice make for uplifting and compelling reading.’ - Pip Griffin

‘Olive Pink is one of Australia's unsung heroines. In this original and deeply moving biographical verse novel, Colleen Keating enables Olive Pink’s experiences with Aboriginal people in Central Australia to emerge with sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, understanding and grace. It is a triumph for reconciliation and will surely enter the annals of Australian literature.' - Lyndall Ryan

‘A play, a dance, books, a proposed film, an opera and now a wonderful narrative poem by Colleen Keating. I wonder what Miss Pink would think about all this attention – her battles and passions appreciated at last!’ - Gillian Ward

‘Olive Pink’s life floats off the page - very much the character I’ve come to know and admire while translating her experience into music across this past decade. Colleen Keating gives us a seriously beautiful work based on research that brings Olive vividly to life. It is wonderful to see the astonishing story of this Australian woman Olive Pink, given the attention she so deserves. Such a visionary.’ - Anne Boyd

‘An invaluable and powerful addition to the story of Australian women who lived their lives working for equality and social justice. A joy to read.’ – Elizabeth Keating-Jones

Source : publication summary

'When we listen, this land sings to us, holds us, nurtures us. This land is the common ground that we share. This small blue planet is the common world of our existence. Desert Patterns is a collection of poetry that touches the membrane between two worlds with the breath of wildness and our inland journeys. In its striking imagery, we have a revelation of the significance of the land and of the burden of our Australian history.' (Publication summary)

''Hildegard of Bingen was a woman of extraordinary creative expression and this book approaches her wisdom through the gift of poetry which allows us to move into a more intuitive space. It is a book to slow us down, that invites us to ponder, and calls us to follow Hildegard towards a growing greenness in our lives.' - Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE, Abbey of the Arts

''Hildegard's life sings and dances across the pages of this engaging harmony of her works, set out in this poetic journey that commences at the twilight of her life and rewinds back through the lens of time. Hildegard's many gifts - including her charm - are expertly embedded. A very enjoyable and fascinating read.' - Dr Christine Cameron

''Colleen Keating brings to this impressive collection some very fine, positively Hildegardian qualities - a robust earthiness, an inner strength, a passion for justice and a fiery light.' - Dr Mary O'Connell

''What an oeuvre! What a superb and elaborate work! These nine books of poems by Australian poet Colleen Keating tell Hildegard's story in a stunning way. The reader feels put into the landscape and ambience of Hildegard's medieval cloistered world. Thus I highly recommend reading, tasting and meditating on this poetic journey with Hildegard of Bingen.' - Dr Annette Esser, Founder and President of the Scivias Institute for Art and Spirituality, Germany.' (Publication summary)