Layla is in the last year of high school. She feels the anger and resentment she has towards her teacher is warranted. Miss Marks, in turn, does not understand why Layla can’t just stand as a voice for her people. Layla wonders why she should have to speak for her Indigenous brothers and sisters when she herself feels like she is on the cusp of two cultures, a pariah from both her best friend, Amy, and from her cousin Marley who makes her feel like she has no idea about her own heritage.
When Marley comes to stay Layla begins to question herself. She loses motivation at school and starts cutting class. She starts smoking and befriends Angie, a fellow Indigenous student. We go along with Layla for the ride as she navigates sexual relationships and has her first romance with Tim. Their romance adds flavour to the narrative and we begin to understand Tim’s situation and what his future offers him in comparison to Layla’s.
The Skin I’m In provides much needed insight into the struggles of Indigenous people, especially around issues of mental health. I particularly liked the classroom scenes as this helped me to understand different perspectives much better.
This novel takes on big issues, but with humour, and ultimately ends on a high note.
Reviewed by Irveen Kaur
Age Guide 16+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steph Tisdell thought she’d be a lawyer before she became one of the brightest stars in Australian comedy, selling out award-winning live shows and having several viral sensations.
Steph has an ever-growing list of acting (Bump, Total Control, Class of 07, The Deb) and writing (Fisk, Bump, Rosehaven). While she is best known – and loved – for cracking us up, an early interest in politics saw Steph enrol to study law. This sense of social justice matched with her formidable intelligence enables Steph to deliver insights that challenge cultural stereotypes in a way that is hilarious, relatable and – importantly as a proud Indigenous woman – powerful.
Steph added ‘author’ to her resume in 2024 when her debut Young Adult novel The Skin I’m In.
On stage, critics have showered her with a galaxy-worth of four and five star reviews. Her debut solo show, Identity Steft, won the weekly award for best emerging talent at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and was nominated for the illustrious Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her second show, The Pyramid, took out the Melbourne International Comedy Festival John Pinder Award.
As a proud Indigenous woman, Steph was also a part of the Aboriginal All Stars line-up, who sold out most nights during their festival run at the notoriously competitive Edinburgh Fringe, before heading to London’s Soho Theatre.
0 Comments