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Issue Details: First known date: 2012... 2012 Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

I't's 1957 and Barry has been sent to stay with Nan and Pop during the school holidays while his mum waits for the new baby. Barry is six-and-three-quarters and 22 Miller Street - the last house Pop built on theWest Preston street - proves full of novel experiences: there's going shopping across the Hump at dawn with Nan ("good isn't it, height," she says, advising him "you can look at the stars for nothing"); keeping Popcompany in the shed, where he goes for his smoko; sharing a bed with great aunt Bess (whose Anzacs are "an indestructible mixture of oats, molassess, wheatgerm and pure will"). Oh, and finding his way to Fairyland. 'It's time you got to know each other.' Nan reached up and took an old golf ball out of a baked-bean can nailed to the doorframe above the gully trap."'All right"' she said, "Now, West Preston fairies are nothing like the English ones. When you find them, do as they tell you. They'll never do you harm. And don't shout - they don't like that. They'll close up their ears if they hear a loud noise. Now, let's see where the ball lands. Ready, set, go!" But then Pop dies, and Barry and his Dad can't find the deed to the house. Developers Snaithe and Sharky are circling and Bracky Boy the Bodgie is threatening the whole neighbourhood.' Source: http://www.hardiegrant.com.au/ (Sighted 28/3/2012).

Notes

  • Autobiographical fiction
  • Authors note: Barry and Jenny wrote this autobiographical fantasy in the open air, closely observed by their silent partner, Zac the whippet, who flicked his bat-ears at every adverb.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Richmond, East Melbourne - Richmond area, Melbourne, Victoria,: Hardie Grant Books , 2012 .
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      This image has been sourced from Goodreads.
      Extent: 260p.
      Description: illus.
      ISBN: 9781742703718 (pbk.)

Works about this Work

Fairies in the Garden Lack the Author's Manic Magic Sam Twyford-Moore , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 9-10 June 2012; (p. 20)

— Review of Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street Barry Dickins , Jenny Lee , 2012 single work novel
Off the Shelf : Fantasy Dianne Dempsey , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 5 May 2012; (p. 36)

— Review of Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street Barry Dickins , Jenny Lee , 2012 single work novel
Best and Worst of Times in a Bleak House Lawrence Money , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 26 March 2012; (p. 18)
Off the Shelf : Fantasy Dianne Dempsey , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 5 May 2012; (p. 36)

— Review of Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street Barry Dickins , Jenny Lee , 2012 single work novel
Fairies in the Garden Lack the Author's Manic Magic Sam Twyford-Moore , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 9-10 June 2012; (p. 20)

— Review of Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street Barry Dickins , Jenny Lee , 2012 single work novel
Best and Worst of Times in a Bleak House Lawrence Money , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 26 March 2012; (p. 18)
Last amended 23 Sep 2021 09:47:44
Subjects:
  • Preston - Northcote area, Melbourne - North, Melbourne, Victoria,
Settings:
  • 1957
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