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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Life in the Blue Mountains is neither city nor country, though country tempo prevails. In this strange world, part-wilderness, part-resort, nature is not yet driven out, there are birds trees, pure air and clear light but man has not beautified his surroundings or worked the stony soil.
Set in a Mountain village and written with affectionate warmth and humour, these two novels illustrate the vulnerability of the elderly and the difficulties facing those who feel responsible for them.
The eccentric old Commander in 'Home is the Sailor' is happily independent in his own home, inventing bizarre ways of coping with domestic problems, until his daughters' misguided intervention results in calamity.
What are the choices in old age? To risk independence and a continuation of the self-determination available in the prime of life; or to accept infirmity and hand over personal rights to those who can provide the safest, most comfortable, if barren care?
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Braille and sound recording.
Works about this Work
-
Untitled
1989
single work
review
— Appears in: The Good Reading Guide 1989; (p. 226)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Voyage into Old Age Proves to be Heavy Going in Parts
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 9 January 1988; (p. 8)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Old Age - the Delights and Difficulties
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Newcastle Herald , 21 May 1988; (p. 10)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Oddities of Old Age
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 4 June 1988; (p. 16)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Not the Last Laugh but the Last Anguish
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 February 1988; (p. 71)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel
-
Walking Down the Literary Aisle
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: Overland , June no. 111 1988; (p. 97-101)
— Review of Steal Away 1987 single work novel ; Self Possession 1987 single work novel ; Paper Nautilus 1987 single work novel ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel ; The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Wedlock : A Novel 1987 single work novel ; Widdershins : A Novel 1986 single work novel ; Building on Sand 1988 single work novel ; Propinquity 1986 single work novel ; All About Anthrax 1987 selected work short story -
Poetry and Old Age
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: Southerly , September vol. 48 no. 3 1988; (p. 339-342)
— Review of The Electrolux Man and Other Stories 1987 selected work short story ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel ; The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella -
Cries from a Dogged Dependent
1987
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 19 December 1987; (p. 11)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Not the Last Laugh but the Last Anguish
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 February 1988; (p. 71)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel -
Oddities of Old Age
1988
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 4 June 1988; (p. 16)
— Review of The Best of Intentions 1987 single work novella ; Home Is the Sailor, and, The Best of Intentions 1987 selected work novel ; Home is the Sailor 1987 single work novel
Awards
- 1987 shortlisted Miles Franklin Literary Award
Last amended 4 Feb 2025 15:00:20
Settings:
-
cIreland,cWestern Europe, Europe,
- Blue Mountains, Sydney, New South Wales,
- Lawson, Blue Mountains, Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1960s
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