Book DetailsPaperback
Pages: 213
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 1970
Language: English
ISBN: unknown
Book Review
A lot of people might disagree with me, but for me, Picnic at Hanging Rock is one those quintessentially Australian stories. In the 1970's the book was made into a movie, which is still considered as one the best Australian films there has ever been (from a film makers perspective).
It is set in the year 1900 at Mrs Appleyard's College for Young Ladies. The story centres around the mysterious disappearance of 3 young schoolgirls and teacher at Hanging Rock, whilst the students and teachers are having a picnic on a lovely summer day. Whilst they are resting after lunch, the only 2 people with watches discover that their watches have stopped. 4 of the young ladies go for a walk to have a closer to the rock. Then one of them returns screaming and incoherent. It then transpires that one of the teachers has disappeared without anyone having noticed.
The story begins with this tragedy, and the remainder of the book focuses on the aftermath of this tragic event. Mike and Albert were the last people to see the girls alive and the event has a lasting impact on both their lives. Mrs Appleyard worries about the effect the incident has on the respectability of her college and she turns to drink to cope. Young Sarah has trouble coming to grips with her friends' disappearance with tragic consequences.
The book is many different things. It is a mystery - what happened to the girls and the teacher on that mountain? The book is also an exploration of human emotions and behaviours following tragedy.
Even more so, Picnic at Hanging Rock asks us a basic question - what control do we really have over our lives or our futures? These young well-to-do young girls have been sent to boarding school to be educated, pending their entry into their adult lives. Then something as simple as a picnic and permission to explore a rock has such unexpected, tragic and far-reaching consequences, that we can't help but realise just what little control we have over the future.
I loved many things about this book, not least of which is the sexual overtones that are so expertly inserted into the story. In many ways, one is left wondering what the true relationship between the characters are - between the teachers and the students, between the students themselves, and between Mike and Albert. There is nothing overtly sexual that makes us wonder, it is the subtle ways in which a certain look or rustle of a dress are described.
It is a very short book with only 213 pages, and I am amazed to think of the detailed world and characters Lindsay has been able to create. I also like the way in which the characters and the countryside are described. It is so very Australian.
Summary
What kind of read is this?
It is short but dense, very well written. It is ultimately a mystery.
Do I recommend it?
Without any reservations, to Australians and non-Australian alike.
Do I recommend that you buy it?
I think that depends upon how much you like it, but borrowing it from the library would be sufficient I think.
It is short but dense, very well written. It is ultimately a mystery.
Do I recommend it?
Without any reservations, to Australians and non-Australian alike.
Do I recommend that you buy it?
I think that depends upon how much you like it, but borrowing it from the library would be sufficient I think.
Star Rating
7 / 8
Brilliant, couldn't put it down. Recommend that you buy it.
Originally posted by 15 February 2010 Page Turners
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