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Genre - Historical
Twice winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Award – An interesting book narrative of one family intertwined from the early 1940’s with the Dixon family at the time living in Glenorchy. Hugh Dixon being an only child was brought up with the expectations from his parents of a career as a lawyer, doctor or accountant. Hugh’s love was drawing and his ambition was to be a book illustrator which was unheard of in those times.
His father was brought up as the second son and from wealthy parents, with good schooling. However his brother was the favourite and his education ended up being a lawyer. His father had nothing and alienated from his brother and family, had to start from scratch. He runs into a gambling debt which puts his career in jeopardy, as well as that of his wife and son and possibly a jail sentence.
Hugh at the age of eighteen contacts his great uncle who befriends him and although Hugh fails his matriculation, his great uncle pays the money for art school.
The struggles and resentments in the family history bring Hugh to discovering who he really is and makes a great read and well deserved Booker Award.
---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat
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