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The Passage
The story of The Passage has been enacted a thousand times since it was published in 1930. In idyllic sub-tropical Queensland The Passage is breathtaking, unspoilt, ripe for exploitation. Only a small fishing community - including Lew Calloway and his family - finds its livelihood there, in harmony with the seasons and the nature of the place. To this tranquility the developer, Vic Osborne, brings the threat of his urban world.
The Passage tackles issues that are urgent today: cities versus regions; the rival claims of fragile environments and modern development; the lure of new horizons and the bonds of home.
But it is the local people who are the subject of this poetically written novel. People who have become as much part of the natural environment as the mangrove or the swans, but who have to encounter the human world beyond and fit their lives and aspirations to it.
Regarded as the foremost Australian 20th century novel.
The Passage tackles issues that are urgent today: cities versus regions; the rival claims of fragile environments and modern development; the lure of new horizons and the bonds of home.
But it is the local people who are the subject of this poetically written novel. People who have become as much part of the natural environment as the mangrove or the swans, but who have to encounter the human world beyond and fit their lives and aspirations to it.
Regarded as the foremost Australian 20th century novel.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 27, 2015
I have been searching for this book since I read it in high school. All I remembered was the title! I finally found it and immediately ordered a copy. Even though I could only vaguely recall the story, somehow the effect it had on me stayed with me for over 30 years.
'The Passage' is set in a fishing village in south east Queensland and is the story of the Calloway family - Anna, the matriarch, who wants a better life for her children than eking out a living fishing; Lew, the oldest son, who since his father, Bob, was killed by a shark has been the head of the family and the breadwinner; Hughie, bright and clever, with dreams of success, Fred, Marnie, and finally, Dot, the youngest.
For years the Calloways and their neighbours have made their living the same way - through fishing. But when development comes to their quiet part of the world, they must adapt and change too - a prospect that some find exciting and others resent.
The novel centres mainly around Lew and Hughie. Lew is solid and dependable, while Hughie has bold ambitions and dreams of a better life. The narrative covers several years and the Calloways face triumph and tragedy, but somehow they survive it all, mostly intact.
The story is told from several different viewpoints - giving the reader an insight into each character - and it shows clearly that Vance Palmer really understood his characters. They are real people, not cardboard cutouts.
Even though this book was written in 1930, it is timeless with its themes of family and home. The writing is poetic and Vance Palmer's descriptions of the landscape are simply beautiful. The thing I love most about it is that it is Australian through and through - the themes are universal but the characters and the landscape could only be Australian.
'The Passage' is an Australian classic and I am so glad that I rediscovered it.
'The Passage' is set in a fishing village in south east Queensland and is the story of the Calloway family - Anna, the matriarch, who wants a better life for her children than eking out a living fishing; Lew, the oldest son, who since his father, Bob, was killed by a shark has been the head of the family and the breadwinner; Hughie, bright and clever, with dreams of success, Fred, Marnie, and finally, Dot, the youngest.
For years the Calloways and their neighbours have made their living the same way - through fishing. But when development comes to their quiet part of the world, they must adapt and change too - a prospect that some find exciting and others resent.
The novel centres mainly around Lew and Hughie. Lew is solid and dependable, while Hughie has bold ambitions and dreams of a better life. The narrative covers several years and the Calloways face triumph and tragedy, but somehow they survive it all, mostly intact.
The story is told from several different viewpoints - giving the reader an insight into each character - and it shows clearly that Vance Palmer really understood his characters. They are real people, not cardboard cutouts.
Even though this book was written in 1930, it is timeless with its themes of family and home. The writing is poetic and Vance Palmer's descriptions of the landscape are simply beautiful. The thing I love most about it is that it is Australian through and through - the themes are universal but the characters and the landscape could only be Australian.
'The Passage' is an Australian classic and I am so glad that I rediscovered it.
July 16, 2023
I found this book engaging, poignant and provocative. I really enjoyed the style of writing and can see why it became a classic work.
The Passage tackles issues that are even more urgent today. The impact of urban living on rural areas; the rival claims of fragile environments and modern development; the lure of new horizons and the bonds of the familiar. The lives of people who as much part of the natural environment as the mangroves or the swans, are disrupted by the aspirations of those who see it as something to be exploited for personal gain.
The Passage tackles issues that are even more urgent today. The impact of urban living on rural areas; the rival claims of fragile environments and modern development; the lure of new horizons and the bonds of the familiar. The lives of people who as much part of the natural environment as the mangroves or the swans, are disrupted by the aspirations of those who see it as something to be exploited for personal gain.
September 28, 2011
The story takes your breath away.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews