The Bamboo Flute

by Garry Disher

In 1932, during Australia's deep economic depression, young Paul meets Eric the Red--a wandering swagman--who teaches Paul how to play the bamboo flute and brings music back into Paul's life.

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

79 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 1993

About the author

Garry Disher was born in 1949 and grew up on his parents' farm in South Australia.

He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.

Reviews

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about family, friendship, hardship and the power of music during the time of the Great Depression.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book may be listed as for children but it will appeal to adults who still have the child alive within them. Disher has an almost Hemingwayesque way with words - short, deliberate, but not terse. His sentences are almost all active, which makes for delightful reading. The sense of Australian bush, dusty and dry, is very strong; having lived here for some time, in the city of Adelaide named in the book, I found it easy to smell the special dustiness of this country, a mixture of soil and dung, eucalyptus leaves worn down to powder, and minerals. It took me 30 minutes to read and I think every second of that time well-spent. I recommend this snapshot of a few days in the life of a Depression-era farm boy to anyone and especially to those who want to know just that bit more about Australia.

[Nett Uwland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the issues of being poor, especially as it was set around the 1930's, with regard to the Great depression. Paul the main character, loves money, but his family don't have the money to purchase an instrument, so after meeting a beggar at his farm, he is shown how to make a flute out of bamboo. Its a book that relates to the hardships of life at this time, and demonstrates how adaptable children were during this time. I really enjoyed connecting with the mother and knew some of the struggles it is to bring up a family on a budget. Definitely a class reader for primary - secondary school age, as it is quick and easy to read.

[Payton Vercoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Bamboo Flute for school and enjoyed it alot but the ending is a bit abrupt with him playing the flute for his father then it ends i think that the auther could have dragged the ending out a little bit longer but over all the the book is well written with you in suspense in parts that it like when the father goes to check on the property bounderies and almost finds Eric the Red

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young, innocent boy named Paul and an older man called Eric the Red were the main protagonists in this book. Paul started off as a boy who loved music and Margaret but one unfortunate day pulled away his love for their piano and Margaret rejected his love. I learnt that he was once wealthy with a happy family but then became poor. This was life changing for Paul. I also learnt that Eric the red was seen as a criminal but he is actually a friendly, genuine man who loves music especially making a flute from bamboo.

The book was not difficult to read and is easy to follow through to the end. It was consistently engaging but It wasn't the most interesting book that it was hard to put down. As the story was quite short, it kept me reading to discover the ending but it didn't really hook me in.

The start was slow as it didn't hook me in. It made me interested to read to see what was going to happen but it was disappointing that it took a long time for myself to become involved in the story.

The plot was easy to follow as there weren't many problems during the book and the plot was quite slow throughout the whole novel so the pace didn't pick up that much and the story was definitely cohesive and made sense as it followed one route and and it followed through until the end. The resolution was believable as the story was realistic and all connected, therefore the book was a very smooth ride.

Paul, the young boy was more uninteresting than Eric the red, as he didn't have many dimensions and not a lot of depth was developed throughout his character and he wasn't very dynamic, as he didn't face many problems or bumps through the book eliminating the excitement portrayed. The secondary characters are slowly developed near the end of the book, but they are quite level otherwise and the events which occur do change the characters at the end of the novel.

The setting was evoked quite well as the author made a picture of the farm where the novel is set and there wasn't too much description of setting and the author may have even not described it enough. The setting was appropriate as it's based in the country side and the characters description match the setting well and the setting illuminated the characters as the author explains they're backgrounds which the farm adds to their personality.

The ending left me satisfied but it was very predictable and was slightly disappointing that the ending was too easy to create. The ending was particularly interesting but was too predictable.

The book was an easy, smooth read and doesn't have many problems. The message was interesting as it was based around the disappearance of music and the writing showed this message clearly. The writing wasn't very imaginative but on the upside it was easy to follow and the story was clearly set out. I would recommend the book to readers who love an easy, relaxing read but I wouldn't to others who enjoy the adrenalin and excitement books give with more difficult language.

[Elkaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointed in this book. It started really well, setting up the characters and plot. But the end was horrible. It just stopped! Since, this book is set in the depression in the area of South Australia, and revolves around Paul a farm boy, but is a dreamer, so doesn’t like working on the farm, and struggles at his local small school. Since, Paul loves music, but has no instrument to play music on, so he just hums the tunes in his head.

That’s until Eric the Red, shows him how to make a Bamboo Flute, which allows him to create music, and those around him learn he’s gifted out it. But this is when the story stops. We, don’t even know, what happened to Eric the Red, who gets cast as a criminal. Since, Paul’s district is being flooded by miners, many men heading to the gold fields, who are causing problems like stealing farm stock.

Then, why was Margaret in the story, she doesn’t really have a part to play, a sort of love crush for Paul.

So, I’m not sure, this book, won the Children’s Book Council of the Australia, for younger readers. Since, it wasn’t a full story for me. Had a lot going for it, still needed a little more added to the story. Since, I loved the themes that flowed from it, struggles of farmers within depression, heading to the gold fields, and a boy who doesn’t fit in, with a gift no one really understands. Even, loved the character of Paul, as could relate to him, as I am still known as a dreamer, who lives in my head more.

Yes, a very disappointed book for me!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Kirkus

Disher draws on his family history for a beautifully written novella set in 1932. Drought is making hard times harder: Paul's parents have had to sell his mother's beloved piano; Dad's ``warbling whistle, the one that coils and dips like water over stones,'' is rarely heard; and homeless ``swaggies,'' perceived (with reason) as a threat, demand food on their way to check out the goldfields. At 12, Paul is an indifferent student, lost in dreams of music, for which he has a gift he's never had a chance to use. When he finds ``Eric the Red'' roasting a sheep near their farmhouse, he knows he should tell his dad of the theft; instead, he's drawn into wary friendship by the sweet tones of the swagman's flute. Eric shows Paul how to make himself a flute of bamboo; it gives him, for the first time, an opportunity to express himself musically. Like other swagmen, Eric moves on; but Paul's flute is the key to his awakening, as well as to new connections with parents, teacher, and classmates. Like Cynthia Rylant or Ivan Southall, Disher writes in spare, lyrical prose, capturing a mood or the nuances of his character's perceptions with wonderful subtlety. The somber legacy of WW I adds depth to the theme: Eric, the teacher, and Paul's embittered father are all veterans, each scarred in his own way; for each, Paul's new music offers a touch of hope. Brief and easily read, a powerfully realized moment in Australia's past.
It is a poignant and moving portrait of a very difficult time.

[SBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read, with a likeable character, very simple writing style, and a nice story. Paul is 12, an only child and a farm kid so he has to walk for an hour to school every day. He loves music but there is no music in their lives; his father no longer whistles and his mother sold her piano as it is the Depression. His father is gruff but there is no feeling of anger, coldness, or malevolence in him, and Paul knows that he loves him. There are lots of swagmen, and Paul befriends Eric the Red, whom everyone blames for all crimes in the town, and who teaches him how to make a flute. He is a natural with the flute and it brings music back into their lives and allows the town kids to befriend him, especially Margaret, whom he has a crush on. At first the kids seem mean to him, and school is a tough place, but he is dreamy and musical and actually has more in common with the town kids than the farm kids. Ends with hope, friendships, and music returned to their lives.

[Mat Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this to assist some students with their school reading assignment. I was surprised by how vivid Disher's imagery and scenes are, many of them also appealing to me having grown up in Australia (although not rural).

It is a simple story of the characters finding happiness during poor times. The portrayal of both the children and adults' feeling is honest and often very touching. I would recommend it as Mid-Grade and children's reader, especially for those who want to learn more about 1930's rural Australia and Australian slang.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's novella is beautifully written with evocative descriptions of the hardship of poor farmers after the war and as the Depression begins. The story is from the perspective of musically talented 12 year old boy who has no friends and struggles to concentrate at school. When he meets an itinerant tramp, Eric the Red, Paul learns how to make and perfect a bamboo flute. He finally gains his father's admiration and the war filters back to his father when he sees the knife opener Eric the Red gave Paul. Paul's father softens and seems to accept the impact that the war has had on him.

[Mika · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a young boy named Paul who's family grew up with music. They would play instruments and sing together. However, after the war their passion for music quickly faded as they went broke and had to sell everything. Paul however met a stranger named Eric the Red who is a being hunted down by the police, Paul and Eric develop a friendship and together they bring back the music into their family.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely fable for all ages. The blurb gives it away, but that's ok because it's more *how* it's told than what it's about. LFL find.

[Tomiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

[Granny Weatherwax · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book easily devoured in one sitting, it tells the story of Paul, a young boy living through the Depression in rural Australia.
Garry Disher does a wonderful job of **TBC

[David Lean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bamboo Flute is a novel about a young boy named Paul and his endeavours to refill his once joyful life with 'music'. He meets a strange but kind man known as Eric The Red who encourages him by the playing of his flute. Inspired by the flute, Paul sets about trying to make his own. Eric teaches him the basics an he is soon playing well. Paul finally decides to show his stubborn dad what he can do. Everything is a massive success and music is once again brought back into his life.

[Tom Mcilveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bamboo Flute by Gary Disher is a book set in the 1930s. I personally enjoyed the bamboo flute because of its envolvement of music, personally I love music this is why i liked it. I also enjoyed the relationship between Paul and Eric the Red Eric is a homeless man who loves music and ends up having a great friendship with Pual and turns Pual into a music lover.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book the bamboo flute is overall a great book to read with not only a simple but yet interesting storyline but also teaches you a few life lessons or gives you a perspective on life as paul the main character descovers on the first day back at school.

[Brian Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the Bamboo Flute is great book for teenagers that struggling right now. It shows lots of great relationship between people and shows how important music is in your life as well as that people can change personality by showing them what you could do well.

[Cws]

JEAR3-Dis

[Nanna Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I read it when I was too young so didn't really get the what the plot of the story was. :|

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally thought that this book had some good bits but i also thought that it could get a little bit boring sometmes...

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

1932 Australia.
Nice little story about a poor boy, Paul, who meets a stranger on his farmer. He teaches Paul how to make a flute .
The men in the story are still haunted by their service in WW1.

[Hush]

good book

[Georgia Hall]

I want to read the book first before I review it