Deadman's : An Australian Story (1898) is a novel by Australian writer Mary Gaunt.[1]
Author | Mary Gaunt |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | Fiction |
Publisher | Methuen, London |
Publication date | 1898 |
Publication place | Australia |
Media type | |
Pages | 304 pp |
Preceded by | Kirkham's Find |
Followed by | Mistress Betty Carew |
Story outline
editJocelyn Ruthven is the goldfields commissioner of "Deadman's Creek". Following dubious advice he enters into a disastrous marriage with a young woman but later meets the right one. The novel details the attempts by all parties to extricate themselves from unwanted relationships and enter into others.
Critical reception
editA reviewer in The Evening News found a number of faults with the book: "Mary Gaunt is well known in the literary world as a clever Victorian authoress; but Deadman's does not quite sustain her reputation...The story lacks a certain amount of spirit in it. It deals with rough life in a rough country; with people at their best and at their worst; and, somehow, the style is too smooth for the subject. The situations strike you as forced, and you have an uncomfortable idea of knowing before-hand what is coming. The author has done better work, and can do better work."[2]
See also
edit- Full text of the novel from Project Gutenberg Australia[3]
- 1898 in Australian literature