'Alec Kruger was stolen as a child from his family and his country. From this early time he knew the cold and harsh reality of institutions and not the caressing love of his mother or the warmth of other close relations. Still young, he was taken again – to the cattle stations of Central Australia where, even as a boy, he was expected to display all the independence and ingenuity of someone much older.'
'In isolation. Alec faced possible death, till the arrival of Old People from country who saved him, taught him and made him culturally strong.'
'Alec Kruger spent years droving and roaming throughout the Territory and Queensland, forever seeking his place in the world. He found a sense of belonging and somewhere to call home through having his own family and with the emergence and leadership of groups such as the Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families Aboriginal Corporation in the struggle of recognition, reconciliation and recompense.'
'Alone on the Soaks enhances our understanding of the diverse journeys of Australia’s stolen generations by offering readers intimate stories told in an original and valuable voice.' (Source: publishers blurb)
Helen has just been discharged from the hospital after treatment for the accident that left her blind. She makes her way home with the help of her brother Christopher, where her mother calls her. Helen resents the idea of her mother hovering over her and quickly ends the call.
Her business partner, Martin, calls Helen to discuss the future of their art gallery. Although Helen is dubious, Martin remains optimistic about assigning Helen appropriate work in the art gallery. Before Helen can relax and have a cry, her estranged husband Hal calls. Hal had an affair with a younger girl, Naomi, but still pushes to get back together with Helen, despite Helen's repeated refusals.
Later, Helen uses a dictaphone to record a to-do list, in which she initially lays out a suicide plan - but deletes it and changes it to a list of things she can do, such as going back to university or picking up piano again. She also records a diary, in which the accident is revealed: jealous of Naomi's youthful looks, Helen tried to dye her hair with permanent colour, including her eyelashes, despite the package's warning. She gets colouring in her eyes and knocks herself unconscious in the bathroom. From then on, she is blind.
