Review TIDDAS by Anita Heiss published by Simon & Schuster

TIDDAS by Anita Heiss published by Simon & Schuster
Average Ratings (from 27 ratings)
Overall star Rating
Did you enjoy this book?
Will you recommend to a friend?
Would you read more by Anita Heiss?
TIDDAS by Anita Heiss published by Simon & Schuster :
4.06 out of 5 based on 28 reviews.
Post your review

TIDDAS

by Anita Heiss

Five women, best friends for decades, meet once a month to talk about books … and life, love and the jagged bits in between. Dissecting each other’s lives seems the most natural thing in the world – and honesty, no matter how brutal, is something they treasure. Best friends tell each other everything, don’t they? But each woman harbours a complex secret and one weekend, without warning, everything comes unstuck.

Izzy, soon to be the first Black woman with her own television show, has to make a decision that will change everything. Veronica, recently divorced and dedicated to raising the best sons in the world, has forgotten who she is. Xanthe, desperate for a baby, can think of nothing else, even at the expense of her marriage. Nadine, so successful at writing other people’s stories, is determined to blot out her own. Ellen, footloose by choice, begins to question all that she’s fought for.

When their circle begins to fracture and the old childhood ways don’t work anymore, is their sense of sistahood enough to keep it intact? How well do these tiddas really know each other?

Find out more here

$29.99 paperback / $17.99 eBook

Available as eBook or paperback from your prefered book retailer.

Published 25th March 2014

Share this

  • Tweet

    Great read

    Finally got time to read and OMG it was brilliant. Really loved the fact that you could relate to it.Have learnt a lot about the aboriginal heritage and racism that i did not realise. This insight to their life is a real eye opener and i couldnt put the book down till i finished it. My daughters have it now and i am waiting on their opinion.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Could not put this book down.

    Tiddas was an amazing book, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of five very different women, who share a deep friendship and use a regular book club meeting as a way of catching up. The women all originate from the same country town,and have grown up in varying circumstances of culture and wealth. I enjoyed the interwoven story of these women and their trials and tribulations and found it to be very relevant to modern day society. Each is addressing their own personal battles and one by one these battles come to light at book club and through luncheons etc. It is a story of deep abiding friendship, that transcends cultural barriers or monetary status. I loved the references to landscape and the richly interwoven cultural references. Once I had read the book I took a look to see what else Anita Heiss has written, as I will seek out her books for further reading. I thoroughly recommend this book.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Hooked

    I am halfway through the book and would have gladly taken my book yesterday to our family Easter celebrations and just read it. It is a lovely story of best friends and how life takes you to places you may not like but friends are always there. I also appreciate the attachment to country and how we are connected to our environment whether it be a suburb, town or river. Everyone needs a copy. I can’t wait to finish it all curled up with a cuppa on the lounge.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Hooked by page 5

    When “Tiddas” arrived on my doorstep a few days ago I was already reading another book and I knew “Tiddas” was going to have to get my interest fast to keep me – well I’m happy to report that I was hooked by page 5!
    This book reveals it’s characters over time and I’ve enjoyed how my feelings have changed towards each of the characters as I’ve gotten to know them more. I feel like this approach is very clever as it reflects how friendships are formed in real life and whilst the book is about a group of friends it also feels like a study on how friendships develop and change.
    It’s not clear from the book cover or even the first few pages but this book is also a glimpse into modern Australia for aboriginal women. I’ve never read a book with Aboriginal characters before and I’ve been challenged and educated as to why that might be. The insights into Aboriginal life in this book have been well explained yet the book has also shown how issues that women an friends face aren’t limited by culture or nationally.
    I’ve still got 1/3 of the book to go and I’m looking forward to seeing how relationships between the friends and their families get resolved.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    sounds awesome and looks great

    sounds awesome and looks great

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book

    The life’s of these woman was so well written you could find your self thinking about the story. Line after you put the book down… Wanting to get back to the book as soon as possible.. I really enjoyed reading this and will look for more by this author. This was one of the nices reviews I have done … This was brilliant as I was on a cruise and relaxing in a deck chair with the sea breeze blowing reading while having a cocktail. Thank you so much.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    2nd review FANTASTIC

    I have now finished the book and it was great. Some very strong characters but would of liked to of known them even more and not swap about as much. I would recommend to my friends.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Best read in a long time

    I,m so enjoying this book it’s been a long time since I had a great read. I mean a read you can not put down. I love the way it wraps its self around different life’s of friends. I,m looking for to seeing how this book ends up . I,m only a few chapters in but really want to sit and read. But like tall things jobs need to be done so should be finished in about another two weeks …so full review then.. But I would tell anyone what a brilliant great read in fact my daughter wants it after me . As I took it with me to baby sit her girls oh dear ….

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Great Just what I needed at this time

    Well I finished this book in 2 days after starting out thinking hmm I am not sure after a few chapters in I couldn’t put it down. The characters were brilliant and the subjects covered in the novel were so close to my heart. The issues with racism the heart ache and the pain with trying to fall pregnant and carry a baby full term when you want nothing else in the world more than that, the loss and the devastation it causes and the wild child realising they do not want to be this way forever. In so many ways I felt like this book had a part of me in each and every character including the denial of problems as well. I have taken a steep learning curve and path change in my life over the past 2yrs and this novel just put a lot of great things in perspective for me even though it was written as fiction. The story was so easy and light to read but written in such a way you felt like you were there at the book club meetings with them and experiencing all the problems. Truly great and I would love to read more by this author. Great job and I will be recommending to all my reading friends without a doubt. Great Job =)

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    A highly engaging page turner right from the start!

    A beautifully interwoven story of culture, friendship, tradition and the challenges a modern day lifestyle brings for a woman. The story of five women, who in many respects are completely different, yet share a deep abiding friendship and a “sisterly” (Tiddas)love for one another and together help each other face their own battles and inner demons. This is also a story not only of cultural identity, but also of personal identity. Set against two very differing, but equally beautiful Australian landscapes, this book is very hard to put down.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    sounds awesome and looks great

    sounds awesome and looks great

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Couldn't get into it

    I was bored so thought I’d take another look at TIDDAS by Anita Heiss. Unfortunately, I still couldn’t get into it and found it somewhat lacking. It’s not one of those books that you’ll read from cover to cover in one go, instead, I found myself reading it here and there when I needed to fill in some time.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    It's only ok

    This book was a bit of a hit and miss for me. The story is readable but the characters are a bit flat and clichéd. I found it very hard to identify with any of Heiss’s heroines. It’s an ok book but I just felt it was missing something. Not something I’d recommend.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Light, gentle story but not entirely to my taste

    So I finally finished this book. It captured me initially but not exactly a page-turner that had me hooked. The characters were all highly relatable to me but we never completely get to know them all. The author’s Aboriginal heritage is on strong display here, but I couldn’t help feeling it was a bit of a crusade of hers to constantly reference the characters’ culture. Could be just me not relating to that aspect (as a white woman), although some of the historical facts were interesting. I normally read thrillers so found it difficult to get into this book, but it is a gentle, meandering story about a group of girlfriends living in current-day Brisbane.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Ok reading for a teenager

    The story line & setting was Ok & I enjoyed the mention of Brisbane Suburbs & places, but overall I found the writing lacking substance. An easy read best suited to a short story in a magazine

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Recommend!!!

    Well written novel with strong characters that are easily to relate to and the language flows well. I would love to read Anita Heiss’ other novels! Recommend reading, brilliant. Couldn’t put it down.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    It was a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this beautiful book

    The life’s of these woman was so well written you could find your self thinking about the story. Line after you put the book down… Wanting to get back to the book as soon as possible.. I really enjoyed reading this and will look for more by this author. This was one of the nices reviews I have done … This was brilliant as I was on a cruise and relaxing in a deck chair with the sea breeze blowing reading while having a cocktail. Thank you so much.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    2nd review FANTASTIC

    I have now finished the book and it was great. Some very strong characters but would of liked to of known them even more and not swap about as much. I would recommend to my friends.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Fantastic

    I posted a review when I was halfway through and the book got better. I loved the feeling I had when I read it and I am still raving about it. Strong characters who are easy to relate to and yes, their are some stereotypes and some clichés but for me they didn’t interfere with the story that was touching and informative. I am recommending this book to everyone and will read more from the author.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    A light read for the weekend.

    I enjoyed reading Tiddas by Anita Heiss. It was a light read, which I could keep reading even though the kids were quite noisy and in my face most of the holidays. It’s a warm engaging story of friendship, life, love and five strong women that are well written characters that just pulls the reader in. It also makes me want to go on a little holiday up to Brisbane. Liked it and would recommed it to anyone who wants a nice easy read for the weekend.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Good read.

    Have just finished reading this book. It’s as an enjoyable read, but I found that the author did not delve deep into each character as much as I would have liked. She jumped from character to character too quickly for my liking. However, it was certainly an easy and enjoyable read and one which I looked forward to reading each night before bed.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Could not put this book down.

    Tiddas was an amazing book, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of five very different women, who share a deep friendship and use a regular book club meeting as a way of catching up. The women all originate from the same country town,and have grown up in varying circumstances of culture and wealth. I enjoyed the interwoven story of these women and their trials and tribulations and found it to be very relevant to modern day society. Each is addressing their own personal battles and one by one these battles come to light at book club and through luncheons etc. It is a story of deep abiding friendship, that transcends cultural barriers or monetary status. I loved the references to landscape and the richly interwoven cultural references. Once I had read the book I took a look to see what else Anita Heiss has written, as I will seek out her books for further reading. I thoroughly recommend this book.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Best read in a long time

    I,m so enjoying this book it’s been a long time since I had a great read. I mean a read you can not put down. I love the way it wraps its self around different life’s of friends. I,m looking for to seeing how this book ends up . I,m only a few chapters in but really want to sit and read. But like tall things jobs need to be done so should be finished in about another two weeks …so full review then.. But I would tell anyone what a brilliant great read in fact my daughter wants it after me . As I took it with me to baby sit her girls oh dear ….

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Great read

    Finally got time to read and OMG it was brilliant. Really loved the fact that you could relate to it.Have learnt a lot about the aboriginal heritage and racism that i did not realise. This insight to their life is a real eye opener and i couldnt put the book down till i finished it. My daughters have it now and i am waiting on their opinion.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Hooked

    I am halfway through the book and would have gladly taken my book yesterday to our family Easter celebrations and just read it. It is a lovely story of best friends and how life takes you to places you may not like but friends are always there. I also appreciate the attachment to country and how we are connected to our environment whether it be a suburb, town or river. Everyone needs a copy. I can’t wait to finish it all curled up with a cuppa on the lounge.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    An intriguing read filled with history and drama!

    Tiddas is the story of five women who share a deep and meaningful friendship. Their culture and values cementing their bond. Tiddas shares the trials and tribulations of being a woman, relationships, love, sex, values and supporting each other with what life inevitably throws your way.

    Anita Heiss offers five main characters that are share their narrative, I enjoyed this style of storytelling as I felt each character had a voice and that you could relate to them. I had a particular connection to Xanthe and her relationship with her husband and her desire and desperation for a child. This really struck a chord with me and I was engaged to keep picking up the novel whenever I could steal a minute.

    A negative for me personally was the constant referal to the characters culture and where they were from. I appreciate pride of who you are and I enjoyed the historical information but I felt the references to culture were overused and detracted from the story, at times I was engrossed by the story only to be irritated by a repeated fact referencing the characters heritage.

    Would I recommend this to my book group, to be honest not really. I thought the story was an enjoyable read, well written but not something I would be overly excited about enough to recommend to others. In saying that I will be asking one of my book group members who is Aboriginal as to what she thinks of the book. I think this book would appeal to middle aged women who enjoy romance/drama novels with a historical element.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Relatable and engaging

    I haven’t had a chance to read in ages, so I was excited to receive a new book! I’m only a couple of chapters in, but so far Tiddas is an engaging read. Whilst I’m not particularly knowledgable about issues affecting Aboriginal women in contemporary society, each of these characters resonates with me as I’m right in that 40-ish demographic. I’m excited to see how the story pans out as the blurb alone had me intrigued! Will keep you posted when I finish it.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    I have really enjoyed reading Tiddas and can't seem to put it down

    This novel has been one that I have not be able to set aside. Once I started reading it I was hooked and while I am half way through I am using any excuse to sit down and read it. It’s easy read and a captivating story from the get go. On a personal note as a women who depends heavily on her girlie friendships I have been able to relate easily to the five protagonists and am so far intrigued by the story.

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Captivating and interesting

    ‘Tiddas’ is an amazingly written, heartwarming story looking closely into the lives of 5 successful woman. Culturally respectful and powerfully accurate, it tells us not only of the history of aboriginal heritage in NSW & QLD but identifies how society today adapts to it’s ancestry. Growing up in an aboriginal community myself, I think I learnt more reading this book then from my own past about our native history. I loved each women’s personal journey in this book as well, unable to put it down most nights reading well into the early hours. It was a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to find more by this author now. Definitely a great read!!

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
  • Tweet

    Amazing and realistic

    This book is great! I really can’t put it down! So much of this book is so everyday stuff. No one wants to read fairy tales anymore. This is the everyday, average woman book. Such a refreshing change from the drivel that’s being bought out these days. Can’t wait to turn the page!

    Did you enjoy this
    book?
    Will you recommend
    to a friend?
    Would you read more
    by Anita Heiss?
Click here to post a review

Reviews on this page have now been disabled.

To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join