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Image courtesy of publisher website.
y separately published work icon My Father's Shadow : A Memoir single work   autobiography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2023... 2023 My Father's Shadow : A Memoir
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'My father, political activist Samuel Mark Goldbloom, was my hero and my nemesis all the days of his life.

'Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo grew up in thrall to her father, a prominent socialist and covert member of the Communist Party. From an early age, she adopted his political beliefs, becoming a supporter of the Soviet Union and an anti-war advocate. She travelled with him, meeting figures such as Indonesian president Soekarno, and greeting Paul Robeson and North Korean delegates at home.

'But Sam could be withholding and difficult. He had a fierce temper and a sharp backhand and was not always a faithful family man. When Sandra entered adulthood and began to navigate a patriarchal world of work and relationships, she came to question aspects of her father's worldview. As the communist ideals of the Left were tested and faltered over the Soviet Union, the mood of the times gradually shifted to embrace the counterculture. Sandra, working in the artistic swirl of Melbourne's Pram Factory and the lively independent publishing scene, absorbed ideas about women, family and Jewish culture that often led to tense conversations with her father. When Sam falls sick and hopes to end his suffering, his daughter's devotion undergoes a final test.

'My Father's Shadow is a portrait of life on the Left during a time of great social change. Lyrical, sharply observed and affecting, it is a candid exploration of the fraught dynamics between father and daughter - and, ultimately, the love that underlies them.' (Publication summary)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Clayton, Murrumbeena - Oakleigh - Springvale area, Melbourne South East, Melbourne, Victoria,: Monash University Publishing , 2023 .
      image of person or book cover 2309332953442898384.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher website.
      Extent: 320p.
      Note/s:
      • Published September 2023

      ISBN: 9781922979186

Works about this Work

y separately published work icon Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo in Conversation James Button (interviewer), 2024 27991311 2024 single work podcast interview

'In this episode, a conversation with author Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo, recorded live at the launch of her memoir, My Father’s Shadow.

'Zurbo grew up in thrall to her father, a prominent antiwar activist, brilliant political organiser and covert member of the Communist Party. She adopted his beliefs from an early age, becoming a supporter of the Soviet Union and a peace campaigner. She travelled with him, meeting figures such as Indonesian president Sukarno, and greeted Paul Robeson and North Korean delegates with him at home. But her father could be withholding and difficult. He had a sharp backhand and was not always a faithful husband.

'When Sandra entered adulthood and began to navigate a patriarchal world of work and relationships, she came to question aspects of her father’s worldview. As the communist ideals of the Left were tested and faltered over the Soviet Union, the mood of the times gradually shifted to embrace the counterculture. Sandra, living and working amid the swirl of Melbourne’s arts and political scenes, absorbed ideas about women, family and Jewish culture that often led to tense conversations with her father.

'My Father’s Shadow is a portrait of life on the Left during a time of great social change. Lyrical, sharply observed and affecting, it is a candid exploration of the fraught dynamics between father and daughter – and, ultimately, the love that underlies them.' (Production summary)

The Sins of Our Fathers Andrew Hamilton , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Eureka Street , 27 November vol. 33 no. 23 2023;

— Review of My Father's Shadow : A Memoir Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo , 2023 single work autobiography

'My Father’s Shadow is a beautifully constructed three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle in which perfectly formed and elegant stories from different times and places are juxtaposed and tested for fit, so forming a pattern of meaning that is never closed.' (Introduction) 

The Art of a Memoir Sara Dowse , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Inside Story , 11 October 2023;

— Review of My Father's Shadow : A Memoir Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo , 2023 single work autobiography

'How best to capture real lives on the page?'

The Art of a Memoir Sara Dowse , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Inside Story , 11 October 2023;

— Review of My Father's Shadow : A Memoir Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo , 2023 single work autobiography

'How best to capture real lives on the page?'

The Sins of Our Fathers Andrew Hamilton , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: Eureka Street , 27 November vol. 33 no. 23 2023;

— Review of My Father's Shadow : A Memoir Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo , 2023 single work autobiography

'My Father’s Shadow is a beautifully constructed three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle in which perfectly formed and elegant stories from different times and places are juxtaposed and tested for fit, so forming a pattern of meaning that is never closed.' (Introduction) 

y separately published work icon Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo in Conversation James Button (interviewer), 2024 27991311 2024 single work podcast interview

'In this episode, a conversation with author Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo, recorded live at the launch of her memoir, My Father’s Shadow.

'Zurbo grew up in thrall to her father, a prominent antiwar activist, brilliant political organiser and covert member of the Communist Party. She adopted his beliefs from an early age, becoming a supporter of the Soviet Union and a peace campaigner. She travelled with him, meeting figures such as Indonesian president Sukarno, and greeted Paul Robeson and North Korean delegates with him at home. But her father could be withholding and difficult. He had a sharp backhand and was not always a faithful husband.

'When Sandra entered adulthood and began to navigate a patriarchal world of work and relationships, she came to question aspects of her father’s worldview. As the communist ideals of the Left were tested and faltered over the Soviet Union, the mood of the times gradually shifted to embrace the counterculture. Sandra, living and working amid the swirl of Melbourne’s arts and political scenes, absorbed ideas about women, family and Jewish culture that often led to tense conversations with her father.

'My Father’s Shadow is a portrait of life on the Left during a time of great social change. Lyrical, sharply observed and affecting, it is a candid exploration of the fraught dynamics between father and daughter – and, ultimately, the love that underlies them.' (Production summary)

Last amended 12 Jun 2023 11:28:01
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