Before I Wake (Scott novel)

Before I Wake (1996) is a novel by Australian author John Scott.

Before I Wake
AuthorJohn Scott
LanguageEnglish
Genrenovel
PublisherPenguin, Australia
Publication date
1996
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages433
ISBN0140256954
Preceded byWhat I Have Written 
Followed byThe Architect 

The novel consists of a sequence of five novellas and features poems by Melissa Curran, attributed in the story to the character Danielle.[1] The main character is Jonathan Ford, a failed writer who travels through Thirroul, Paris, Littlehampton, and Tasmania, reflecting on his difficult childhood before reuniting with his sisters. He seduces and abandons a poet named Danielle, who commits suicide. He also forms a relationship with a woman named Donna and her sister Rachel; the three end the novel in tentative happiness at a vineyard in Tasmania, which Rachel inherits after another character, Tardieu, is the victim of parochial violence.[2]

The core theme of the novel is the impact of abuse, especially child abuse, and the experience of personal damage and failure.[2] In addition to the characters' many experiences of abuse and violence, the novel discusses the murder of James Bulger, which occurred three years prior to the novel's publication.[1]

In 1997, the novel was shortlisted for both the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction.

References

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  1. ^ a b Anderson, Don (1996-07-01). "Don Anderson reviews 'Before I Wake' by John Scott". Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  2. ^ a b ""Review, John Scott, Before I Wake", '"Westerly, Autumn 1977" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-09-14.