The Shiralee
First UK edition
AuthorD'Arcy Niland
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAngus & Robertson (Australia/UK)
William Sloane Associates (USA)
Publication date
1955
Pages223 pp
Preceded by– 
Followed byCall Me When the Cross Turns Over 

The Shiralee is the debut full-length novel by D'Arcy Niland published in 1955.[1] It was adapted into a movie in 1957 and a mini series in 1987.

Plot

The swagman Macauley takes his young daughter Buster on the road with him.

Reception

It sold more than 90,000 copies in Australia.[2]

The Argus called it a "great Australian novel".[3]

The New York Times called it a "fine story" which Niland "told well... Mr Niland's approach is honest as it is refreshing... one wants to hear more from him".[4]

Adaptations

Film rights were sold in 1955 for a reported £10,000.[5]

In 1957 a British film was made by Ealing Studios, directed by Leslie Norman.

A second adaptation was made in 1987. It was an Australian TV film directed by George Ogilvie, starring Bryan Brown and Noni Hazelhurst.

Notes

  • Dedication: This book is for my Mother / Barbara Lucy Niland[1]
  • Epigraph: Consists of an extract from a poem 'The Ballad of the Shiralee', by Ruth Park.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Austlit - The Shiralee by D'Arcy Niland
  2. ↑ Australia. Department of Education.; Australia. Department of Education and Science.; Australia. Commonwealth Office of Education. (February 1960) [1957], "THE BOOKS AUSTRALIANS READ", Section v. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm., Hemisphere, North Sydney, N.S.W: Dept. of Education and Science, 4 (2), ISSN 0018-0300, nla.obj-3135886198, retrieved 1 June 2023 – via Trove
  3. ↑ "NOVELS An Australian couple give us rare reading". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1955. p. 6 Supplement: The Argus WEEKENDER. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Dinkum Cobbers: THE SHIRALEE. By D'Arcy Niland. 250 pp. New York. William Sloane Associates. $3.50." Cobb, Jane. New York Times 25 Sep 1955: BR32
  5. ↑ "Darcy hits the jackpot". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 25 July 1955. p. 4. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
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