ISBN 978-1-923333-04-8
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923386-28-0
HARDCOVER
ISBN 978-1-923386-52-5
EBOOK
Freddie
Taken From A String Of Golden Threads
Freddie is a poignant tale set in early 20th century rural Australia, capturing the life of a boy born into a family expecting a girl. Delicate and beautiful, Freddie stood out from his two older brothers, not just for his appearance but for the silent struggles he would come to face. Growing up at a time when society held rigid views on gender and sexuality, Freddie navigates life in a close-minded community, where his differences are met with confusion, judgment, and silence.
Written by Greta Lily Finn in the 1970s, Freddie was never published during her lifetime. The manuscript, tucked away in a drawer, was discovered by her granddaughter years after Finn’s death. Honoring her grandmother’s legacy, she brought Freddie’s story to light, offering readers a heart-wrenching journey through the eyes of a man shaped by societal norms that offered little room for love or understanding.
The novel opens with an older Freddie, disheveled and homeless, barely scraping by. His fragile existence belies a life of resilience and quiet defiance. Freddie is a powerful narrative of identity, isolation, and survival, set against the backdrop of a world unwilling to accept difference.
A Note From The Publisher
GRETA LILY FINN, affectionately known as Lil and orphaned at the tender age of six, was a compassionate, open-minded, resourceful and talented woman. Raised by her grandmother in Orange, NSW, Lil possessed the gift of storytelling, something inherited from her estranged father.
Lil had seven children, who filled her heart with love and purpose, but only after they left home did she turn her hand to writing, and the idea of the ‘Freddie Story’ was born.
Lil’s children, including my mother, knew about the ‘Freddie Story’, but surprisingly none of them felt inclined to read it.
During the Covid lockdown of 2020, I decided to transcribe her elegantly handwritten pages to give them the new life that they deserved. I was determined to share it with you all.
I want to acknowledge my Aunty Jenny, who lovingly preserved the manuscript and introduced me to the treasures it held within. I am forever grateful for her ongoing support, kindness and unwavering love throughout this journey.
My deepest appreciation to my cousin Ian Brown, my advisor, editor and biggest supporter since the idea first came to light.
Michelle Thompson
Granddaughter of Lil
Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2024