The Leaves

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Reviews

The Leaves is where literature meets activism, and one would hope that by triggering the emotions of the reader, it may compel an understanding.

It may also forge a desire to advocate for change and to create the space for First Nations people to tell their own stories – and for non-Indigenous Australia to listen.

While the majority of people who are inclined to read this novel will more than likely be those not short of knowledge about these issues, I strongly encourage other readers who may feel this is left of field to try something new in order to gain a deeper understanding of the vicious cycle of oppression that exists in our society to this very day, especially as we move towards healing histories of our nation, following the failed referendum.
—Jess Whaler, The Weekend Australian Review Magazine

It’s a small book in length, but big in intensity and effect.
Rule said in a recent interview: “Franz Kafka spoke of the novel and of literature as being an axe that can thaw the frozen sea inside us. It’s genuinely my hope that The Leaves might play a small role in this important conversation to advocate for a more empathetic, effective and humane approach to reforming young offenders.”
Every time this book is read, Rule’s hold on the axe will strengthen. A highly recommended read. Read the full review.
—Law Society Journal

Rule’s first novel, The Leaves, is beyond moving.
I was lucky that I began The Leaves without having read anything about it, not even the notes on the back cover. The story was intensified by the blind turns it took, the shocks along the way that testified to the power of its telling. I re-read it a week later and the narrative was as powerful, the quirks of stylising on the page as intriguing. Rule does have a way with words. Read the full review.
—Miriam Cosic, The Jewish Independent

Jacqueline Rule's The Leaves purports to be a novel, but on the author’s own admission, it is a composite of many, many case studies from the youth justice system in contemporary Australia and in particular, of young Aboriginal males whose mothers were already disenfranchised for having been part of the Stolen Generations.
I recommend The Leaves and I commend the determination and courage of Jacqueline Rule for wading through her streams of tears to make sense out of the heart-wrenching data and present us with her highly worthy debut novel.

—Independent Australia

Jacqueline Rule's writing is evocative and poetic. Beautiful in its execution, devastating in its content. Much of the novel is written in poetry.
Luke is not just one boy but an embodiment of hundreds of boys and girls being failed by the system.  Even though The Leaves is small at 176 pages it had a massive impact on me. Luke's story is one that will stay with me forever. Read the full review.
—The Burgeoning Bookshelf

In spite of its important and very relevant message, The Leaves is not polemical. Luke’s story has its own impetus and its theme is subtly handled. The Leaves is all the more powerful for its linguistic richness. Read the full review.
—The Compulsive Reader

This book should be given to every politician and person involved in any level whatsoever of our so-called justice system - juvenile and adult. Read the full review.
—Reader Review, Amazon