Still Lucky by Rebecca Huntley

Lately, the main conversation that I’ve been having at social gatherings is about how we are all living in a left-leaning ‘bubble’ that is not reflected in politics in Australia or elsewhere in the world. To be honest, it seems we are all down in the dumps as our world seemingly splits. This book is a wake-up call and it’s timely for many reasons. Mainly, and this is important, this book is full of stories of good people and good news. Secondly, this book, which reflects conversations Dr Rebecca Huntley has been having over the last ten years across Australia, is optimistic. While reading it, I realised I hadn’t read a good-news story for quite some time and this was influencing my view of where Australia is heading.

Huntley takes the eleven most oft-discussed issues raised at her social-research discussions and expands on them with a clarity and energy that renders them accessible to the reader. While informed by her research, this is not an academic work. The top topics for me included: Why do we still want houses? (the Australian Dream is not over); Why do we spend so much money on parenting? (guilt); and How racist are we? (not as bad as you think: more ill-informed). The book goes on to tackle subjects such as the changing concerns over home, work, life, and our kids’ future. All in all, it’s a practical guide to what Australians are thinking.

Huntley is one of Australia’s most respected canvassers of social trends and her skills of observation and analysis are more than evident in this insightful and honest compilation of essays. This seems to me the perfect book to start this particular year. It’s a pretty solid kickstart to feeling good about where you live, and, indeed, why you live here.


Chris Gordon

Cover image for Still Lucky

Still Lucky

Rebecca Huntley

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