Ajax: Golden Dog of the Australian Bush

by Mary Elwyn Patchett, Eric Tansley

Copyright 1953. Original Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 54-9495

Genres: Childrens, Australia, Animals

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Mary Elwyn Patchett (1897 - 1989) was an Australian author who lived most of her life in Britain.

She grew up on a cattle station in Texas, Queensland.

After working as a journalist in Australia, she lived and worked in England from 1931. Although she only returned to Australia for holidays, it is there that her books are set.

She died in Berkshire in 1989.

Reviews

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(AKA Ajax The Warrior)
I recently, finally, got this book. I read this and at least another Ajax book - plus many other books from this author, including at least 2-3 of the Brumby series (not to be confused with Elyne Mitchell's Brumby book, also excellent) - in (old) Finnish translations from my local library, enjoying them very much. So I am very glad to find at least this, because buying used ones off Amazon is not really possible for me.

This book is about a girl and her half-dingo dog Ajax, who have many adventures in the Australian bush, which was familiar to the author from her childhood in Queensland.

I will write a deeper review of this after I reread it, but it's definitely worth it. I'm so happy I could buy at least this one, of the author's books finally. 8D

[Ellen Hartman]

This is one of the books I've been searching for since I was a kid. I used to take it out of the library at my elementary school over and over. I finally found it at our library book sale this spring. What a delight. I only have one more old favorite left to find.

As I read this book, the scenes came back to me, including the circus with Kaa the carpet snake causing problems. Of course, my adult and modern understanding can find moments that make me cringe, but mostly this is just a very simple story about a young girl and her beloved pets. Glad I finally found it. The last one remaining on my list is Old Nick and Bob: Two Dogs of the West. I'm sure it will turn up!

[Samaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my Sisters absolute favorite book when she was a child. Surprisingly it was one I'd never read. It was an enjoyable, light read though the characters were not deeply developed.

[Lorie Swearingen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about a girl growing up in Australia.

[Alix Zahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandmother gifted me this book when I was young. I absolutely love it. I reread it periodically still.