Sydney

by Jan Morris

Renowned and much-loved travel writer Jan Morris turns her eye to 'not the best of the cities the British Empire created - but the most hyperbolic, the youngest at heart, the shinest'.

Genres: Travel, Australia, History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 1992

About the author

Jan Morris was a British historian, author and travel writer. Morris was educated at Lancing College, West Sussex, and Christ Church, Oxford, but is Welsh by heritage and adoption. Before 1970 Morris published under her assigned birth name, "James ", and is known particularly for the Pax Britannica trilogy, a history of the British Empire, and for portraits of cities, notably Oxford, Venice, Trieste, Hong Kong, and New York City, and also wrote about Wales, Spanish history, and culture.

In 1949 Jan Morris married Elizabeth Tuckniss, the daughter of a tea planter. Morris and Tuckniss had five children together, including the poet and musician Twm Morys. One of their children died in infancy. As Morris documented in her memoir Conundrum, she began taking oestrogens to feminise her body in 1964. In 1972, she had sex reassignment surgery in Morocco. Sex reassignment surgeon Georges Burou did the surgery, since doctors in Britain refused to allow the procedure unless Morris and Tuckniss divorced, something Morris was not prepared to do at the time. They divorced later, but remained together and later got a civil union. On May, 14th, 2008, Morris and Tuckniss remarried each other. Morris lived mostly in Wales, where her parents were from.

Reviews

[Jyv · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. I didn't like the way it was written. It jumped all over the place, from history to the then present, back to history again. It's full of assumptions and generalisations. The author makes it seem that the populace is made up of either the new rich or blue-collar workers, descendants of convicts. Never mind the thousands of free settlers (who outnumbered the convicts) or middle-classes. Written with a vaguely patronising air (a whole chapter on "Consolations"). According to the author, Sydney serves no function or purpose and "need not exist at all".... "Its annihilation tomorrow would not deprive the world of anything essential." How supremely arrogant. Once I read that I threw the book away. I'd already found something more worthy of my time.

[Sandy Millin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to Australia in about three weeks, starting with a few days in Sydney, so when I saw this book being given away in a box outside somebody's house it was clear I should pick it up. The book is about 30 years old now, so I expect things are somewhat different, but it was still an interesting grounding in the history of this city which I'm about to visit. I found the style somewhat jarring at times, and there were a few distracting printing errors, but I'm glad I've read it. Now to go back to Down Under by Bill Bryson, which I read many years ago never thinking I'd actually go to Australia!

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

This doesn't feel like it's aged well in terms of the city, in terms of the history being so tied up in dead white men and even worse in the comments and attitudes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

[Caroline Birch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof. This book has not aged well. No resemblance to the city of 2023 at all …

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another little masterpiece from the incomparable Jan Morris.

[Stephanie Ward]

A fascinating look at Sydney, Australia -- it's history, stories and development -- from the viewpoint of a long time resident, but self-proclaimed "stranger" to the city. I read this book after two years living in the beautiful Harbour City and am glad I had a bit of knowledge about lesser know suburbs, landmarks and attractions before hearing Morris's thoughts. Not because they would have influenced my opinions in one way or another, but because I wouldn't have had enough understanding of the city to process the detailed background. Although published back in 1992, I think Sydney by Jan Morris is a timeless observation of this amazing city.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amazingly thurough look at Sydney's history (although I doubt I'd say that if I were Aboriginal). I learned a lot about Australia's relationship with Great Britain, and having just been, I think she did a great job of capturing they city's modern character--and how it got to be that way. Flaws are an overwhelming onslaught of apocryphal-sounding anecdotes about long-dead people (Morris knows the story behind every single statue in Australia, it seems) and the occasional insensitive comment about Aboriginal people.

[Cathy]

I just happened upon this book at the physiotherapist's office. As I am planning an extended trip to Sydney soon, I'm trying to read up on Australia. I'd like to find out more about the people and the country - not something you can find in a travel book. I've already read a book by Bill Bryson (I think) where he travels across and around Australia - I can't remember the title right now - I'll add it to my book list. I've just joined a book club from Australia - who knows, maybe I'll be able to connect with someone in person through this club.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently had the enormous pleasure of waking four mornings in a row to a view of the Bridge, Circular Quay and the Opera House and this book is the perfect reminder of our brief but packed visit to this city. As always Jan Morris writes interestingly and eloquently and it is not her fault that this book is a little dated, losing it a star,

[Chris Rosendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting biography of the city. It is a little "dated" since it was written in the early nineties. I read it after 2 visits to Sydney which made it more relatable. Another great find at the local thrift store.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes - author kept wanting to frame Sydney in relation to its penal colony history - was a bit of a stretch at times. Also, written in 1990 - some things have changed since then - but interesting to hear author's thoughts on Sydney at that time.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing read - I'm not that into history books usually but Morris is a fascinating writer. I learnt so much about my home town. Highly recommend

[Janet Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dated but lots of interesting facts and an historical document of its time now.