y separately published work icon Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories selected work   short story  
Issue Details: First known date: 1963... 1963 Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories
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Notes

  • Available as a sound recording.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Sydney, New South Wales,:Angus and Robertson , 1963 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Sequel to a Song, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
After they insult an Aboriginal medicine man, the Leesing family suffer a string of misfortunes. His return to the homestead, four years later, brings further misfortune but also unexpected good luck.
 (p. 1-17)
A. T. C. Barragoola, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Nat Ah Matt enjoys his solitary existence which centres around maintaining Barragoola air strip. His patience is soon tested, however, when Ben Larkin comes to visit and outstays his welcome.
 (p. 18-30)
Keeping the Peace, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
An amiable policeman is constantly criticised by his angry and intolerant wife.
 (p. 31-44)
Mercy Flight, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Against his better judgement a pilot is convinced to fly through a ferocious storm so that a padre can give the last rites to an old sinner.
 (p. 45-56)
Rocky the Rig, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
The Roreys are a disreputable family, but when they tame a wild horse to ride in the Katherine Cup their standing in the area improves.
 (p. 57-71)
The Flying Fat Boy, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
An insecure, obese pilot faces a near-death experience in his plane which changes his life.
 (p. 72-80)
Come on Murri!, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Marty disappoints his Aboriginal fans when he allows his white friend, Carey, to beat him in a boxing match. Marty's generosity, however, soon turns to resentment.
 (p. 81-91)
An Eagle Called Ned Kelly, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
A group of squatters use aircraft to hunt eagles for sport, but they are still no match for the wily old eagle, dubbed 'Ned Kelly'.
 (p. 92-101)
The Best Laid Plans, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
A plan to rob a train safe goes off without a hitch until a crocodile makes an unexpected appearance.
 (p. 102-109)
Femme Fatale, Xavier Herbert , single work short story crime
An overly protective father takes extreme action to keep men away from his 'quarter-caste' daughter.
 (p. 110-119)
Rise and Fall of Jeremiah Stacey, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Old prospector Jeremiah Stacey thinks he's finally struck it rich when he discovers oil. Ignoring his conscience, Jeremiah ends his partnership with long-time friend, Lofty, so that he can keep the oil for himself. Guilt and misfortune, however, soon bring Jeremiah to his senses.
 (p. 120-140)
Michaelos is a Miser, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
The Greek community of Darwin believe that Alexis has inherited a large sum of money. Alexis allows them to believe it so that he can find men willing to marry his unpleasant daughters.
 (p. 141-151)
Look Into My Eyes!, Xavier Herbert , single work short story humour
Bert pretends that he has been hypnotised into believing that he is the boss of Black Bull Station. When the mother-in-law of the real boss comes to visit, however, he soon gives up the game.
 (p. 152-168)
Miss Tanaka, Xavier Herbert , single work short story humour
Two wealthy Japanese pearl divers battle for the affections of a Japanese girl who has recently moved to Darwin.
 (p. 169-179)
Moonshine, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Tim O'Connor and his Chinese partner, Cho See Ching, run an illegal alcohol still. The police suspect them, and it looks like Tim's luck might have run out.
 (p. 180-192)
Marrying Money, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Three suitors vie for the hand of wealthy widow, Katie Blaize. Dan Cahoun, the district trooper, is a quiet man and seems least likely to succeed. His patience pays off, however, when the greed of the other two suitors is exposed.
 (p. 193-207)
Once a Policeman, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
When Trooper Kintrap arrives in Copper Creek, his officious nature and dedication to the letter of the law makes him unpopular with the locals. Kintrap, however, has a soft spot for children, and he hides evidence of a murder in order to protect a child.
 (p. 208-226)
Day of Shame, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Josie refuses to leave her Northern Territory property when the Japanese air force invades. She expresses anger and shame that her neighbours and the Australian army would so easily abandon the area.
 (p. 227-234)
Kaijek the Songman, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Kaijek wanders the bush hoping to be inspired to invent a song which he must soon perform at a corroboree. Inspiration comes when he is rewarded with tobacco for finding gold for a white prospector.
 (p. 235-241)
Last Toss, Xavier Herbert , single work short story
Old Lofty is a sick and elderly prospector. When he becomes lost in the bush without water he fears his scanty luck has finally run out.
 (p. 242-248)
VIEW ENTIRE CONTENTS ( works)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Xavier Herbert. Requiem for Genius Russell McDougall , 2017 single work criticism
— Appears in: Cultural Studies Review , vol. 23 no. 2 2017; (p. 106-125)

'In today’s global celebrity culture it’s hard to imagine a word more over-used and abused than ‘genius’. It is a slippery word with a long and contradictory conceptual history. Yet, in the Land of the Tall Poppy, self-confessions of genius invariably have paved a broad road to public ridicule and denigration. Xavier Herbert’s notion of genius was not static. It changed throughout his life and it evolved through his writing. He agreed with Carlyle that the first condition of genius must always be a ‘transcendent capacity of taking trouble’ and on this foundation he built his own concept of genius, as the unending ‘capacity for loving’. This article explores what genius meant to Xavier Herbert and how it translated into his fiction, before considering how our sense of genius today influences the way we respond to his most challenging fictions of love and hate, 'Capricornia' and 'Poor Fellow My Country'.'  (Publication abstract)
The Short Story Since 1950 Stephen Torre , 2009 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Cambridge History of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 419-451)
y separately published work icon Xavier Herbert : A Biography Frances De Groen , St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 1998 Z403827 1998 single work biography This first biography of Xavier Herbert (1901-1984) explores the contradictions at the core of his turbulent life and career. It charts his lifelong quest to discover the reality of his existence and to forge a larger-than-life identity.
Larger Than Life Laurie Clancy , 1981 single work criticism
— Appears in: Xavier Herbert 1981; (p. 97-108)
Collection of Tales from the West Judah Waten , 1976 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 21 August 1976; (p. 22)
— Review of New Country : A Selection of Western Australian Short Stories 1976 anthology short story ; Disturbing Element Xavier Herbert , 1963 single work autobiography ; Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story
Larger Than Life Ross Smith , 1964 single work review
— Appears in: North , June no. 2 1964; (p. 11)
— Review of Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story
Collection of Tales from the West Judah Waten , 1976 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 21 August 1976; (p. 22)
— Review of New Country : A Selection of Western Australian Short Stories 1976 anthology short story ; Disturbing Element Xavier Herbert , 1963 single work autobiography ; Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story
Tyro and Veteran R. B. J. Wilson , 1964 single work review
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 24 no. 2 1964; (p. 141-143)
— Review of Big Fat Tuesday : Stories Vivian Cunnington , 1963 selected work short story ; Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story
[Review] Red Scarf [and] Larger Than Life M. H , 1964 single work review
— Appears in: Advocate: A Weekly Catholic Journal , 30 January 1964; (p. 10)
— Review of Red Scarf Grace Perry , 1963 selected work poetry ; Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story
The Green ... and the Gold Brian Elliott , 1963 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December vol. 3 no. 2 1963; (p. 48-49)
— Review of Green Gold Nene Gare , 1963 single work novel ; Larger Than Life : Twenty Short Stories Xavier Herbert , 1963 selected work short story ; The Man Whose Name Was Mud Gavin Casey , 1963 single work novel
y separately published work icon Xavier Herbert : A Biography Frances De Groen , St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 1998 Z403827 1998 single work biography This first biography of Xavier Herbert (1901-1984) explores the contradictions at the core of his turbulent life and career. It charts his lifelong quest to discover the reality of his existence and to forge a larger-than-life identity.
Larger Than Life Laurie Clancy , 1981 single work criticism
— Appears in: Xavier Herbert 1981; (p. 97-108)
Xavier Herbert. Requiem for Genius Russell McDougall , 2017 single work criticism
— Appears in: Cultural Studies Review , vol. 23 no. 2 2017; (p. 106-125)

'In today’s global celebrity culture it’s hard to imagine a word more over-used and abused than ‘genius’. It is a slippery word with a long and contradictory conceptual history. Yet, in the Land of the Tall Poppy, self-confessions of genius invariably have paved a broad road to public ridicule and denigration. Xavier Herbert’s notion of genius was not static. It changed throughout his life and it evolved through his writing. He agreed with Carlyle that the first condition of genius must always be a ‘transcendent capacity of taking trouble’ and on this foundation he built his own concept of genius, as the unending ‘capacity for loving’. This article explores what genius meant to Xavier Herbert and how it translated into his fiction, before considering how our sense of genius today influences the way we respond to his most challenging fictions of love and hate, 'Capricornia' and 'Poor Fellow My Country'.'  (Publication abstract)
The Short Story Since 1950 Stephen Torre , 2009 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Cambridge History of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 419-451)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (10)
Last amended 7 Dec 2010 13:58:54
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