No Hiding from the Woman in the Moon (Bruce Pascoe, Magabala)

Bruce Pascoe’s No Hiding from the Woman in the Moon is a quiet, contemplative collection that looks upward to the Moon while remaining firmly grounded in Country. The poems move through night, seasons and memory, with the Moon returning repeatedly as watcher and companion. Pascoe’s voice is calm and measured, creating a body of work that asks the reader to slow down. He writes from the perspective of an Aboriginal farmer and long-time observer of land and weather. Country sits at the centre of the collection, as rivers, paddocks and sky appear in simple images that carry emotional weight. The poems reflect on environmental change and the fragility of the natural world, yet they never feel heavy-handed. Concern for the climate sits alongside moments of care, attentiveness and patience. Pascoe (Dark Emu, Found) doesn’t rely on elaborate metaphors or dramatic gestures; instead, the poems build their meaning through small details and quiet repetition. A line about wind or water lingers long after the poem ends. There is also a sense of intimacy running through the book. Pascoe writes about love, solitude and ageing with a gentle honesty. These moments sit naturally beside broader reflections on land and responsibility. No Hiding from the Woman in the Moon is a collection that rewards attentive reading, recommended for people drawn to poetry about Country, memory and the slow rhythms of the natural world.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Ananya Thirumalai is a Sydney-based writer and student of digital cultures and business law. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews