The Shiralee

by D’Arcy Niland

Angus and Robertson, 1955, [First Edition], hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, minor rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, no inscriptions, age toned pages, dustjacket shows some edge and shelf wear with some rubbing, bumping, creasing and chipping, closed tears (see photographs)

“Probably no swagman, in life or in fiction, ever had such a strange companion on his wanderings as has Macauley, the central character in D’Arcy Niland’s first novel, who tramps through the back towns of New South Wales accompanied by his daughter Buster.  Buster, four-year-old bundle of loyalty and fortitude, combines these more adult qualities with a natural childishness, and the result is a character creation of almost startling conviction.  Buster is no joy to Macauley, and he treats her with an uncompromising firmness: she must go on walking when she is nearly exhausted, must stop chattering when he wants to be be quiet, must not complain.  But Macauley has, too, a certain grudging affection for her, and this affection develops until it is so threatened by circumstances that it must at last be openly admitted.”