Customer Reviews (8)

The shiralee
We saw this item on the Internet as a movie and enjoyed it so much that we dedided to uprchase the book itself!We are looking forward to having a chance to read the entire book in its original context.

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A mendicant bush father ends up with his young daughter, something that he really doesn't want to have happen.

The daughter, of course, needs a parent, although a tough and independent kid.Gradually, she grows on him, even though he sees her as a burden to start with, etc.

The Masterpiece of Fatherhood Literature
This 1955 Australian literary classic is hardly known at all in the US. And for a good reason: no publisher has seen fit to publish an annotated edition that would put translations of the copious "Strine" expressions (Australian slang) at the bottom of each page. Some geographical and cultural annotations would be a big help too. As it is, the reader is obligated to have an Australian dictionary at hand at all times to get through the story.
Why bother to publish an annotated edition? Here's why. Out of hundreds of novels dealing with the important topic of parental kidnapping ("PK"), this is the finest (in English at least). Not only is this a masterpiece of the PK sub-genre, it is a profound and poetic evocation of parenthood, fatherhood in particular. It's the sort of book that one might choose as required reading for high-school and college students if the topic of fatherhood ever overcame educators' lack of interest in fatherhood.
Like Joyce's "Ulysses," "The Shiralee" is inspired by an ancient epic, "The Odyssey." Unlike Joyce, Niland is spare with words and wears his learning so lightly you might not even realize you are reading an epic studded with symbols Melvillesque in scale. Like the Homer's hero, Niland's is a physical, not merely mental, wanderer.
Niland's hero is an Everyman who evokes another precursor as well, the voyager of Pilgrim's Progress. The Shiralee's pilgrimage is, however, the progress of the soul of fatherhood itself.
There is so much to be read "between the lines" (the place from which the story's real power emanates) that the book virtually demands a prompt second reading.
How many copies can sell in the US market? Just count the number of fathers in this country and add all their coming-of-age sons and you'll have that figure.

Love the Shiralee
My mom recorded the Shiralee on tape some years ago. I love it! It is such a good story. They really need to get it on DVD.

One of the Best Movies I Have Ever Seen
I was fortunate enough to have recorded the movie, The Shiralee, when it was on Masterpiece Theater all those years ago. Actually, my grandparents taped, it as I about 10 years old.This film moved me in a way, even then, that I can only describe as profound.When I watch it today, it brings me something different each time.I only wish I could get my hands on the book! ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Betty Cuthbert, Gordon Pirie, Les Mills, Murray Halberg, David Lean, Keith Gardner, Valerie Young, Anna Pazera, Dave Norris, Norma Thrower, Carole Quinton, Ian Tomlinson, David Power, Neville Scott, Bill Baillie, Geoff Elliott, Mike Ellis, Mary Donaghy, Merv Richards, Jennifer Thompson, Sheila Hoskin. Excerpt:Medal record Anna Pazera (born November 25, 1936 in Krzanowice , Racibórz , l skie ) is a retired Australian athlete who was specialised in the javelin throw . She was born as Anna Wojtaszek and competed for Poland at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne . After the Games, she emigrated to South Australia , becoming Anna Pazera through marriage. Pazera represented Australia at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and threw a world record of 57.40 metres to win gold, breaking Dana Zátopková 's recent mark by a metre and a half. Her best Olympic performance was in 1960, when she placed sixth in the final of the Rome Games . Remarried and known as Anna Bocson for the latter part of her career, she retired from sport after the 1968 Australian Championships . References (URLs online) See also (online edition) A hyperlinked version of this chapter is at Medal record Elizabeth ("Betty") Cuthbert (born 20 April 1938 in Merrylands , New South Wales ) is an Australian athlete , and a fourfold Olympic champion. During her career, she set world records at 60 metres, 100 yards, 200 metres, 220 yards and 440 yards. Cuthbert also contributed to Australian relay teams setting world records at 4x100 metres, 4x110 yards, 4x200 metres and 4x220 yards. At the age of 18, with the 1956 Summer Olympics to be held in Melbourne , Cuthbert set a World Record in the 200 meters, making her one of the favorites for a gold in that event. Cuthbert first reached the finals of the 100... ... Read more