Letter from Pardeep

Pardeep,

12:19pm May 26

Hi John,

How are you?

You may not remember me, I’m Pardep Rattu.

 Few months ago I attended your book launch (Kiss of the King Brown) I just finished reading the book and I would like to congratulate you on writing such a fantastic book.

A well told, well written book. A book that made my train rides from home to work and back very interesting. A book that became part of you, a book that that connects you to one’s family, ones friends, one’s land, one’s country, ones dreams. A book that teaches us the true value of friendships and those relationships, friendships see no age, no colour, religion, sex or status as a barrier.

While reading the book, I wondered if any part related to you, like your childhood, similar family members, whether you connected to the aborigines.

The book was connected to me in the following ways,

1) Firstly the relationship between Sean and Joseph reminds me off my relationship with my grandpa. Me and my grandpa use to sit and speak endlessly about everything, we would talk endlessly. He would tell me amazing stories about everything, religion, war, politics etc. The relationship between the two characters reminded me of my grandpa. I have a few older friends here, it’s good to have that company, you learn so much and life is always about learning.

2) Sean and Johnny relationship. Similar to one of my best friends Ahmed, like every other teenager, most good friendships start off with an argument, a fight, a dispute or a misunderstanding. That’s how me and Ahmed started off, a random fight and now were best of mates. True Friendships always come out a winner.

3) Sean’s family. Family is something that is the most important aspect in one’s life. My family have always been there for me, dad, mum, mum especially, just like Sean’s mother, no matter how much trouble I was in, like all mums, mum was always supportive of me. Like Sean's farther, dad has always been supportive and always watches over me. Father and son relationship, a unique relationship which at times is hard to understand ones feelings for each other as the whole manly effect comes into place. Being the youngest I have two older sisters, Parveen and Mandeep, it’s the opposite in my case, but their just like Sean’s sister, supportive caring, fun, loving, sisters are a gift from god to a brother.

) Finally the love of one’s land. I've been living in Australia all my life, came here when I was 1, so my senses came to a light in Australia. I love Australia, it is my home, and it has given me so much, a good start to life. However my love for India cannot be explained. It’s like my body in here in Australia but soul is in India. I guess after all India is indeed my birthday place. As much as I love Australia, India is still close to me.

I really enjoyed reading the book, I’m not really into reading books, I only read when something attracts me, and then I can read for nonstop. I'm more a writer, I love writing, I'm trying to write a book, interestingly also on Football. As I spoke to you, it’s all in the mind not yet on paper.

Overall a great book :)
I'm glad I attended the launch with Parveen and got to share in with your success
Wish you all the best with Kiss of the King Brown.
Good luck and continue writing

Kind Regards

Pardeep

My Return Email.

 Dear Pardeep,

Thank you for your letter. I do remember you well, you asked me about writing at the Book Launch.  It was a great day, and the book is going well. I hope you pass the book onto your friends. Your Indian friends and family will get an appreciation of the Australian Character and ethos. It is also a window on the indigenous story.

To answer your questions:

Yes the characters are based on real people mostly or amalgamations of people.
Sean is based on my school friends and me. My best friend at primary school was a kid called Sean, he was at the Launch.
Joseph is based on Aboriginal stockmen and people I met in the Seventies when I worked in WA.
The stories dreamtime is my own but based on reading and talking to people.
The language in the book is my own creation, from indigenous words.
The mother in the story is based on my mother and some other strong women I have met.
My father died when I was seven but his name was James (JIM) so he is based on a father I would have liked to have.  He was in the war 2/7 Battalion.

Yes it is good to talk to older people and listen to their stories; I had an Uncle who was a great story teller.
 Love of family and country are an essential anchor in our lives, if we do not have that we are smaller. A spiritual dimension is also essential.

Migrants have a double whammy of loving their adopted country and their old country. Never fall into the trap of imagining it as you want it to be. Think of it as it is, rational thought on these matters is essential. Remember Australia is a land of migrants we all carry our old country memories.

To write you must read, Pardee you must read, read stuff you like write about stuff you like, this is essential. Reading is a habit, a learned thing you must cultivate it read and write every day.

Thank you again for your comments 'the kiss' is the first of a trilogy, I have started on the next book. And another one on my daughters which is taken precedence at the moment, remember write every day. Read every day.

Thank you for your letter, stay well.

PS; Have attached an article written by a journalist in Kyneton. Regards to your family.

John Condliffe

29.05.2012