I want to read the longest Australian Novel ever written

Dr. Drib · 01-26-2014, 12:32 PM

It's called "Poor Fellow My Country," by Xavier Herbert.

This is the longest Australian novel ever written at 850,000 words (1,463 pages.)

Unfortunately, it's not available as an ebook, as far as I can determine.

Has anyone read this?

HarryT · 01-26-2014, 05:39 PM

Quantity rather than quality, huh?

. You could always tackle Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa", which is even longer at an estimated 984,870 words. It even has the advantage of being in the public domain, and available as an book!

Lynx-lynx · 01-26-2014, 05:40 PM

Don here's a link to Abe books (referred through Book Depository)

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...%26amp%3By%3D0

Two (paper) books in one:

Poor Fellow My Country and Capricornia

13.11 pounds

A quick look in Aus on line bookshops I couldn't find Poor Fellow

Lynx-lynx · 01-26-2014, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Quantity rather than quality, huh?

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh

A short wiki bit ...
Xavier Herbert (15 May 1901 – 10 November 1984) was an Australian writer best known for his Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Poor Fellow My Country (1975). He is considered one of the elder statesmen of Australian literature. He is also known for short story collections and his autobiography Disturbing Element.

HarryT · 01-26-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Don here's a link to Abe books (referred through Book Depository)

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...%26amp%3By%3D0

Two (paper) books in one:

Poor Fellow My Country and Capricornia

13.11 pounds

A quick look in Aus on line bookshops I couldn't find Poor Fellow

A book weighing over 13lbs strikes me as being rather cumbersome to read. Ebooks certainly have a major advantage over such weighty tomes.

Lynx-lynx · 01-26-2014, 06:00 PM

It would be interesting to know the what the weight of that double paper book is ...

The 13 odd was my way of expressing English money

HarryT · 01-26-2014, 06:03 PM

LOL

. My apologies.

ClareK · 01-26-2014, 06:35 PM

I read "Poor Fellow My Country" not long after it was first published, and I still have my hardback copy in its dustjacket. Although I can't imagine I'll ever read it again, it's one of the books I'll keep.

I know at the time we all thought it was a masterpiece, and it won the Miles Franklin award for "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases".

Now I am tempted to reread it after all, but I am nearly forty years older and the book is very heavy - the print is clear and a good size, but this means it has nearly 1500 pages. Perhaps if it ever comes out as an ebook ...

meeera · 01-27-2014, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

It's called "Poor Fellow My Country," by Xavier Herbert.

This is the longest Australian novel ever written at 850,000 words (1,463 pages.)

Unfortunately, it's not available as an ebook, as far as I can determine.

Good news - you can borrow it as epub from openlibrary.org .

Dr. Drib · 01-27-2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Quantity rather than quality, huh?

. You could always tackle Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa", which is even longer at an estimated 984,870 words. It even has the advantage of being in the public domain, and available as an book!

No. Both.

It's actually supposed to be a very highly regarded novel.

Clarissa is even longer; that's correct. I attempted to read this when I was in my early 20s, but never finished.

Since that time, though, I relish long intricate novels, which is one of the reasons I enjoy Post-Modern fiction and also Victorian novels.

Dr. Drib · 01-27-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Don here's a link to Abe books (referred through Book Depository)

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...%26amp%3By%3D0

Two (paper) books in one:

Poor Fellow My Country and Capricornia

13.11 pounds

A quick look in Aus on line bookshops I couldn't find Poor Fellow

ABE is one of my primary sources for hardbacks, since I'm a book collector.

I saw the listing you mention - thanks.

There appear to be only 2 copies available. The shipping from Australia (for one of those two copies), is outrageous!

Dr. Drib · 01-27-2014, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Good news - you can borrow it as epub from openlibrary.org .

I'll check that out. Thank you!

01-26-2014, 12:32 PM	#1
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I want to read the longest Australian Novel ever written It's called "Poor Fellow My Country," by Xavier Herbert. This is the longest Australian novel ever written at 850,000 words (1,463 pages.) Unfortunately, it's not available as an ebook, as far as I can determine. Has anyone read this?

01-26-2014, 05:39 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Quantity rather than quality, huh? . You could always tackle Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa", which is even longer at an estimated 984,870 words. It even has the advantage of being in the public domain, and available as an book! Last edited by HarryT; 01-26-2014 at 05:43 PM.

01-26-2014, 05:40 PM	#3
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,069 Karma: 91561091 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Blackberry Playbook, Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2	Don here's a link to Abe books (referred through Book Depository) http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...%26amp%3By%3D0 Two (paper) books in one: Poor Fellow My Country and Capricornia 13.11 pounds A quick look in Aus on line bookshops I couldn't find Poor Fellow Last edited by Lynx-lynx; 01-26-2014 at 05:48 PM. Reason: add the word 'paper'

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Well written, easy books to read?	EbookNovice	Reading Recommendations	19	04-06-2014 08:45 AM
"21 Books Written by and about Women that Every Man Should Read"	Prestidigitweeze	Reading Recommendations	26	05-07-2013 10:25 AM
Recommendations Wanted: Australian-set Books by Australian Writers	K. Molen	Reading Recommendations	19	01-01-2013 10:44 AM
Free Australian books from Kobo - The Australian newspaper promo	melmac	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	33	10-25-2012 09:00 AM
Longest ebook you have read and enjoyed	tech_au	Reading Recommendations	71	07-16-2011 01:58 PM

01-26-2014, 06:00 PM	#6
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,069 Karma: 91561091 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Blackberry Playbook, Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2	It would be interesting to know the what the weight of that double paper book is ... The 13 odd was my way of expressing English money

01-26-2014, 06:03 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	LOL . My apologies.

01-26-2014, 06:35 PM	#8
ClareK Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 175816 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Laser	I read "Poor Fellow My Country" not long after it was first published, and I still have my hardback copy in its dustjacket. Although I can't imagine I'll ever read it again, it's one of the books I'll keep. I know at the time we all thought it was a masterpiece, and it won the Miles Franklin award for "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases". Now I am tempted to reread it after all, but I am nearly forty years older and the book is very heavy - the print is clear and a good size, but this means it has nearly 1500 pages. Perhaps if it ever comes out as an ebook ...