From the late 1880's to the mid 1960's, Australian authorities (government, church and welfare) removed Aboriginal children from their parents care forcing them into homes to be assimilated into white culture (usually as servants). This abhorrent policy has resulted in what is called "The Stolen Generation".'Margaret', is stolen from her Mob as a young child and is placed in Radley, a care home for aboriginal girls where they are forced to deny their family, culture and language while being taught the basic tenants of servitude. The home is cruel, Maragaret is half starved and absued but the law refuses to return her to her family.Eventually she is 'adopted' by the McDonalds family and joins them on their farm. Margaret is luckier than many of the stolen generation in that her family believes she should be treated with charity, educated and cared for to fit in within white society. Margaret's attepmts to hold onto her own culture, and the hope her parents will come for her, wither under the natural desire of a child to fit in with her new family and community. Hamilton does an excellent job of portraying Margaret's gradual alienation from her own culture. He captures the subtle shifts in her thinking and her longing to belong. Margaret is an appealing and sympathetic character, she shows determination and spirit despite difficult circumstances. Margarets situation is subtly contrasted by her 'sister', the other white children at the school and the 'adopted' aboriginal children she meets. Margarets adoptive mother and to a lesser extent her adoptive father and sister are well developed as are the important minor characters. My heart breaks knowing that while Margaret is fictionalised, her circumstances are a representation of the racism and bigotry aboriginals experienced under the guise of 'help'. It is even harder to know that most were treated far worse, as her friends situations illustrate. The impact of the Stolen Generation is huge with the repercussions still echoing through Australian society.Secrets From the Dust is well written, the descriptions of both place and emotion are lyrical and honest. Hamilton does well to capture details and attitudes of the time with the story spanning a period of about 10 years during the 1950's - 1960's. He manages to avoid a sensational or preachy tone that is common in such a politically 'hot' story. Most impressively, given the author's gender (male) and heritage (he resides in England) is his ability to explore the issues from an aboriginal teenaged girl perspective with an authentic voice. Harrowing, beautiful and thought provoking, Secrets From the Dust is is an impressive novel from George Hamilton. With it's shocking conclusion it deserves an audience, particularly from Australian's who want to understand the impact Australia's social policies have had on the indigeneous population. ( )