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Whispering in the Wind
160 pages
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
2 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Alan Marshall
329 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(1) Alan^Marshall
Alan Marshall (2 May 1902, Noorat, Victoria — 21 January 1984, Melbourne) was an Australian writer, story teller and social documenter.
His best known book, I Can Jump Puddles (1955) is the first of a three-part autobiography. The other two books are This is the Grass (1962) and In Mine Own Heart (1963).
Alan Marshall wrote numerous short stories, mainly set in the bush. He also wrote newspaper columns and magazine articles. He travelled widely in Australia and overseas. He also collected and published Indigenous Australian stories and legends.
(1) Alan^Marshall
Alan Marshall (2 May 1902, Noorat, Victoria — 21 January 1984, Melbourne) was an Australian writer, story teller and social documenter.
His best known book, I Can Jump Puddles (1955) is the first of a three-part autobiography. The other two books are This is the Grass (1962) and In Mine Own Heart (1963).
Alan Marshall wrote numerous short stories, mainly set in the bush. He also wrote newspaper columns and magazine articles. He travelled widely in Australia and overseas. He also collected and published Indigenous Australian stories and legends.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 21, 2018
Whispering in the Wind is a reissue, under the Text Classics banner, of a book by award-winning Australian author, Alan Marshall. Young Peter sets out from the hut he inhabits with Crooked Mick in the thick Australian bush, determined to save a princess. But first he has to find her. Mick has already taught him to ride, so he has his white pony, Moonlight, to take him, and Mick also provides him with some supplies for the trip, including a newly fashioned whip, christened Thunderbolt.
The South Wind gives him some directions, and a pouch with magical contents, and before long he is joined by a kangaroo, Greyfur, whose pouch comes in very handy. The pouch seems to have an unlimited capacity, producing food and furniture when desired, a myriad of useful items as the situation requires (a wharfie, a crane, a posthole digger, to name a few), and even, to prove a point, an elephant.
Peter and Moonlight and Greyfur face a number of obstacles and dangers to learn where, and then reach, the castle holding said princess, is. After which, of course, Peter must face three challenges to win her hand. The journey involves encounters with several creatures with malicious intent as well as a few more benign ones. The Pale Witch, the Jarrah Giant, the Bunyip, the greedy King and the Willy Willy are all changed by making Peter’s acquaintance.
Marshall gives the reader a fantastic tale full of quirky characters and crazy happenings. It has elements of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, but some of the dialogue is definitely tongue-in-cheek and will appeal to older readers. Marshall is an interesting character: known best for his fictionalised memoir, I Can Jump Puddles, he was a dedicated anti-fascist activist, so he was in ASIO’s files, yet he was awarded an OBE and an AOM. The illustrations by Jack Newnham are excellent. An Aussie Classic for young and old alike.
This unbiased review is from an unsolicited copy provided by Text Publishing.
The South Wind gives him some directions, and a pouch with magical contents, and before long he is joined by a kangaroo, Greyfur, whose pouch comes in very handy. The pouch seems to have an unlimited capacity, producing food and furniture when desired, a myriad of useful items as the situation requires (a wharfie, a crane, a posthole digger, to name a few), and even, to prove a point, an elephant.
Peter and Moonlight and Greyfur face a number of obstacles and dangers to learn where, and then reach, the castle holding said princess, is. After which, of course, Peter must face three challenges to win her hand. The journey involves encounters with several creatures with malicious intent as well as a few more benign ones. The Pale Witch, the Jarrah Giant, the Bunyip, the greedy King and the Willy Willy are all changed by making Peter’s acquaintance.
Marshall gives the reader a fantastic tale full of quirky characters and crazy happenings. It has elements of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, but some of the dialogue is definitely tongue-in-cheek and will appeal to older readers. Marshall is an interesting character: known best for his fictionalised memoir, I Can Jump Puddles, he was a dedicated anti-fascist activist, so he was in ASIO’s files, yet he was awarded an OBE and an AOM. The illustrations by Jack Newnham are excellent. An Aussie Classic for young and old alike.
This unbiased review is from an unsolicited copy provided by Text Publishing.
October 25, 2021
— Ні лицарі, ні принци такого не роблять.
— А я кенгуру.
"Шепіт на вітрі" — незвична казка. З одного боку вона чітко слідує тропам, добре відомим нам із європейських казок: бідний, але добрий, розумний і відважний хлопець вирушає в квест з порятування прекрасної принцеси, по дорозі здобуваючи нових друзів (чи як тут: перетворюючи на друзів колишніх ворогів), виконує три складних завдання від короля-батька (з допомогою тих же друзів) і одружується з принцесою. З іншого боку тут екзотичний для мене австралійський колорит, який несподівано робить знайому казку значно оригінальнішою. Скажімо, нікого не здивуєш тим, що в головного героя є балакуча тварина-сайдкік, але тут це кенгуру! Сіра Шкурка взагалі стала моєю улюбленою персонажкою у цій книжці — вона не лише балакуча, але й кмітлива, віддана і вигадлива, а ще має чарівну кишеню, з якої може дістати все, що завгодно. Одного разу вона дістає з неї підйомного крана разом із вантажником! І разом з тим ця неймовірна кенгуру має трагічний бекґраунд — вона змушена була покинути спільноту собі подібних, бо була інакшою. Ех, історія стара як світ. Як добре, що вона змогла знайти собі нових друзів, без неї Пітер нізащо б не впорався зі своїм завданням.
А що ж, власне, Пітер? Пітер виріс зі своїм дідом Міком-Баляндрасом у хижі з кори, де у кроквах над їхніми ліжками жили опосуми. Мік був найвидатнішим вершником на світі, і навчив свого мистецтва й онука. У їхній хижі було дві книжки: про коней і про прекрасних принцес, тож коли Пітер більш-менш закрив тему коней, він вирішив перейти до теми принцес. Мені сподобалися випробування, які постають перед Пітером. От наприклад, розділ про траву-пастку: коли ти пробиваєшся через неї, вона невпинно шепотить тобі, який ти нікчема, ні на що не здатний і поступаєшся всім у всьому. А трохи пізніше Пітер бореться з Котами Зневіри. Проходячи такі випробування, він наче бореться сам із собою, стаючи щоразу кращим, що ілюструє його вбрання, яке потроху перетворюється на принцеве. А основною зброєю Пітера у казці є чарівна пелюстка: щоразу, коли він дарує її комусь, обдарований відчуває, що його люблять і потребують, і таким чином стає добрішим.
Між іншим, вік Пітера у книжці не зазначений, і тут є дивний дисонанс, бо на обкладинці він маленький хлопчик, а на внутрішніх ілюстраціях — дорослий чоловік. Зважаючи на те, що в останньому розділі він одружується з принцесою, сподіваюся, що він таки дорослий. До речі, про принцесу. Майже щоразу, як вона вигулькувала на сторінках книжки, я закочувала очі. Це золотоволосе блакитнооке кліше, закуте в вежі батьком із сумнівною мотивацією, готове одружитися з хлопцем, якого знає буквально кілька днів. Ось, як описується її подружнє життя: "Лована відчула таке щастя, як ще ніколи в житті. Вона готувала чоловікам їжу, прибирала в хаті і часто їздила верхи разом з Пітером по лісі." Ну спасибі, що хоч верхи їздила між прибиранням і готуванням. Що такого неймовірно щасливого в тому, щоб проміняти комфортне ув'язнення в замку на неоплачувану роботу кухарки і прибиральниці, я хоч убий не бачу. Дуже дякую, я волію принцес, які самі себе рятують. А знаєте, що ляпнув її майбутній чоловіченько, після кількох хвилин знайомства? "На мою думку, ви дуже розумна дівчина. Досить подивитися на вас, щоб зрозуміти це." Певно, по її золотому волоссю видно.
Ще одна химерна річ у цій книжці — це розділ присвячений висадці на Місяць. Звичайно, в 1969 році тема була на слуху, але невже аж так, щоб грубувато вписувати її в казкову повістину?
Разом з тим, тут є речення, як оце: "З лісу долинав сміх кукабари, а в гаю, по той бік дороги, співав лірохвіст." Вони одразу змушують забути про те, що в цій книжці не пройшло випробування часом, і з головою поринути в витворену уявою автора австралійську казку.
December 26, 2020
One of the first Australian fantasy books I read - as a child I loved this book that read like any fairytale I knew, with princesses in towers and witches and giants, but with kangaroos and bunyips and eucalypts. I never knew the name of it all so couldn't find it as an adult until I came across it by chance in my grandparent's bookcase.
This inherits many of the flaws of fairytales (at least the versions of my childhood) - it has some problematic tropes, the characters aren't fully developed as people, it is very white/cis/hetero. But it was also a key part of my childhood, and retains its charm now.
This inherits many of the flaws of fairytales (at least the versions of my childhood) - it has some problematic tropes, the characters aren't fully developed as people, it is very white/cis/hetero. But it was also a key part of my childhood, and retains its charm now.
November 22, 2021
Read my full review and more at Quill & Quoll book reviews: https://www.quillandquoll.com
'Whispering in the Wind' is a children's bush fairy tale novel by Australian writer Alan Marshall. First published in 1969, it tells the story of a young lad called Peter who decides to go on a quest to rescue a beautiful princess, if only he could find one. He is joined in his adventures by a kangaroo called Greyfur who can pull anything out of her pouch - even chairs and tables and elephants! - and is given a special bag of magic leaves by the South Wind to aid him in his journey. Together, Peter and Greyfur travel far across the land, encountering giants, ferocious cats, a witch who sweeps the moon at night, a bunyip who works as a dragon, and three impossible tasks. Will they ever find the Beautiful Princess?
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'Whispering in the Wind' is a true Australian fairy tale packed with larger-than-life characters, beautiful descriptions of the Australian landscape, witty bragging, and memorable mini-stories within the larger narrative.
There are, however, some elements that undermine the story, particularly for a contemporary readership. Firstly, the impetus of the story is Peter's desire to rescue a Beautiful Princess. He doesn't know of any princesses, or of any looming threats that said princesses may need rescuing from. He embarks on this quest simply because he feels like it. Stories do not need an overly complicated premises, but this does unfortunately reduce the princess in question to a prize to be won merely for Peter's own entertainment. This is further reinforced when we do meet Lowana, the Beautiful Princess, who after a brief conversation with Peter, declares that her dream is to marry Peter and be able to cook and clean for him. It is very much a male-centric perspective in this regard.
The second factor that undermines the story is the bag containing the self-replenishing Magic Leaf. When given to someone in need, the Magic Leaf makes them feel loved and needed, and when given to a greedy, wicked individual, the leaf instantly transforms them into a kind, helpful person. These sorts of magic items are common in fairytales, but the repeated use of this item is problematic for this story. In some instances Peter and Greyfur overcome obstacles using their wits, teamwork, and skill, while in others they easily avoid challenges by doing little more than handing over a Leaf, instantly turn foes into allies. This overuse of the Magic Leaf can greatly undercut the dramatic tension for the reader.
Yet overall, this book never pretends to be more than the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek story it is, and if you can look past the princess-as-prize and Magic Leaf macguffin, it is an enjoyable read filled with tall tales and over-the-top characters. 'Whispering in the Wind' is a fun experience for young and older readers alike, capturing the beauty of the Australian landscape, the thrill of a quest, and the excitement of a once-upon-a-time adventure.
'Whispering in the Wind' is a children's bush fairy tale novel by Australian writer Alan Marshall. First published in 1969, it tells the story of a young lad called Peter who decides to go on a quest to rescue a beautiful princess, if only he could find one. He is joined in his adventures by a kangaroo called Greyfur who can pull anything out of her pouch - even chairs and tables and elephants! - and is given a special bag of magic leaves by the South Wind to aid him in his journey. Together, Peter and Greyfur travel far across the land, encountering giants, ferocious cats, a witch who sweeps the moon at night, a bunyip who works as a dragon, and three impossible tasks. Will they ever find the Beautiful Princess?
------
'Whispering in the Wind' is a true Australian fairy tale packed with larger-than-life characters, beautiful descriptions of the Australian landscape, witty bragging, and memorable mini-stories within the larger narrative.
There are, however, some elements that undermine the story, particularly for a contemporary readership. Firstly, the impetus of the story is Peter's desire to rescue a Beautiful Princess. He doesn't know of any princesses, or of any looming threats that said princesses may need rescuing from. He embarks on this quest simply because he feels like it. Stories do not need an overly complicated premises, but this does unfortunately reduce the princess in question to a prize to be won merely for Peter's own entertainment. This is further reinforced when we do meet Lowana, the Beautiful Princess, who after a brief conversation with Peter, declares that her dream is to marry Peter and be able to cook and clean for him. It is very much a male-centric perspective in this regard.
The second factor that undermines the story is the bag containing the self-replenishing Magic Leaf. When given to someone in need, the Magic Leaf makes them feel loved and needed, and when given to a greedy, wicked individual, the leaf instantly transforms them into a kind, helpful person. These sorts of magic items are common in fairytales, but the repeated use of this item is problematic for this story. In some instances Peter and Greyfur overcome obstacles using their wits, teamwork, and skill, while in others they easily avoid challenges by doing little more than handing over a Leaf, instantly turn foes into allies. This overuse of the Magic Leaf can greatly undercut the dramatic tension for the reader.
Yet overall, this book never pretends to be more than the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek story it is, and if you can look past the princess-as-prize and Magic Leaf macguffin, it is an enjoyable read filled with tall tales and over-the-top characters. 'Whispering in the Wind' is a fun experience for young and older readers alike, capturing the beauty of the Australian landscape, the thrill of a quest, and the excitement of a once-upon-a-time adventure.
May 18, 2022
When I was in high school in 1973, one of the novels set for our English curriculum was Alan Marshall’s I Can Jump Puddles. I loved it immediately and still do. A classic Australian story, from a classic Australian storyteller, laconically told. I have read other Alan Marshall short stories over the years, and loved each one. Back in 2007 I found a copy of his book These Are My People in a second-hand store, which I bought. I was unaware that he had written one children’s book in 1969, Whispering in the Wind, and discovered it on the Libby Library app as an e-book. According to the foreword, the book wasn’t hugely popular, which surprised me. It has the elements of other children’s story writers, such as Enid Blyton. There is constant action, the gratuitous Princess and King and Queen, and a dragon is expected to appear. But, being a an Aussie tale, the Bunyip replaces a dragon to protect the Princess who is locked in a tower. Peter sets off on his horse Moonlight, taking an extraordinary whip called Thunderbolt, to find a beautiful princess and adventure. He meets some great characters along the way, and there is quite some humour attached to the telling of this unique tale. I’m not sure whether the references to the American and Russian astronauts would be well received today, (read it to find out why.) Peter and Crooked Mick are wonderful characters, Mick being an expert yarn spinner and liar. And I loved the kangaroo, Greyfur. This story had me laughing out loud at times, and enjoying the pathos at others. There is an underlying message as well, for those who don���t feel loved and wanted, and a magic gift given to them to bring change to their lives. I’m going to re-read this one, especially as a children’s author myself.
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December 31, 2021This month’s story for the Australian Fairy Tale Society is Whispering In the Wind by Alan Marshall, the author of I Can Jump Puddles, which I vaguely remember reading at school. Whispering In the Wind is a novel based on the quest of Peter, a kid from the bush who sets out to rescue a princess from a dragon. There’s a magical companion – talking kangaroo Greyfur, who knows the answer to every question and has a bottomless pouch she can pull an elephant, a crane and a wharfie from – a magic leaf, a magic horse, a sword-like whip, a witch who sweeps the moon every night (it was published in 1969, just after the first moon landing), a dragon who’s really a bunyip, giants and doubt cats and a castle where a princess is trapped (kind of odd, having a European castle in the middle of the Outback, but it’s nice to see the Australian landscape and its flora and fauna - if not, sadly, its First Nations people).
As much bush yarn as faery tale, it features great illustrations by Jack Newnham, a message of kindness and courage, and a compelling plot. It’s marred somewhat by the attitudes of the day and too many too-convenient plot solutions, but it’s a fun read, and there are some clever aspects too
As much bush yarn as faery tale, it features great illustrations by Jack Newnham, a message of kindness and courage, and a compelling plot. It’s marred somewhat by the attitudes of the day and too many too-convenient plot solutions, but it’s a fun read, and there are some clever aspects too
March 24, 2019
DNF. I thought I'd really like this – an undiscovered fantasy from the house that brought me to Ash Road several years ago. But for a book that the introduction says is not didactic, the message of spreading love is archly apparent, and everything weird and wonderful the story comes across seemed really loaded. More importantly, it was too off-kilter wacky for my taste. I doubt I'd have enjoyed it that much as a kid, and I certainly didn't now.
May 24, 2020
This was an essential part of my upbringing in rural Australia. It was a vague memory until I had a flash of the lying competition, and asked my mother. She instantly knew the book, but we had lost our copy. This was before it was out of copyright and was very hard to track down. Luckily I found a copy second hand, and re read it. Loved it all over again as an adult. A fantastic book to read to children.
August 25, 2019
A good if dense history of NLP’s development - I read as background to cognitive coaching
May 1, 2019
Strange Australian fairy tale — pretty good fun, really, and very imaginative, but honestly, the princess rescuing trope and her reaction of perfect delight at the prospect of marrying Peter in order to cook and clean for him was not my favorite. I appreciated that the introduction addressed that, and I was impressed with the kangaroo with the the magic pouch — who wouldn’t want a friend like that?
Advanced Readers Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced Readers Copy provided by Edelweiss.
October 7, 2008
This book is part of who I am. I will read the book in its entirity (including the last chapter) only to the man I marry.
Here's a small section verbatim:
After they had boiled the billy, the Bunyip continued his story.
'On that day the King happened to be out hunting. His entourage caught me up as I was walking along the road. They were a mob of courtiers and they bowed and scraped a lot. They were well dressed, too: long velvet coats and tight pants.
'They rode magnificent horses, but the King's was the best. It was a black stallion and it never stopped prancing. It pranced in circles when he reigned it in.
' "Hey, Boy!" he called out when the prancing horse was facing me. "What breed are you?"
'The the horse went round again and I had to wait before I could answer.
' "I'm a Bunyip, Your Majesty."
' "Never heard of them."
'The horse kept prancing and taking him round in circles so I had to wait again till he faced me.
' "We live in the swamp near the palace."
' "Good heavens!" the King exclaimed. "I'll have to have that place disinfected."
'Then, round he went again. He must have been sick of it because he suddenly shouted at one of the courtiers, "Stop this darn horse."
'The man he shouted at leapt off his horse and grabbed the King's bridle. You could see he was frightened, and for good reasons, since the King leant forward and lashed him with his whip.
' "How dare you give the King a horse like this," he snapped.
' "But you wanted a horse that could prance," stammered the couriter.
' "Prance, yes," said the King, "but I didn't ask for the Circular Waltz."
' He dismounted and adjusted his crown, which had slipped to one side with all the prancing. "Now," he said to me, "you say you are a Bunyip. I watched you fighting the Knights. I...saw your unorthodox methods when St George's gang of tutors were trying to belt you into shape. You certainly dis-horsed them with great skill."
' "Un-horsed them," I corrected him.
' The King glared at me. "An intellectual, eh!"
Here's a small section verbatim:
After they had boiled the billy, the Bunyip continued his story.
'On that day the King happened to be out hunting. His entourage caught me up as I was walking along the road. They were a mob of courtiers and they bowed and scraped a lot. They were well dressed, too: long velvet coats and tight pants.
'They rode magnificent horses, but the King's was the best. It was a black stallion and it never stopped prancing. It pranced in circles when he reigned it in.
' "Hey, Boy!" he called out when the prancing horse was facing me. "What breed are you?"
'The the horse went round again and I had to wait before I could answer.
' "I'm a Bunyip, Your Majesty."
' "Never heard of them."
'The horse kept prancing and taking him round in circles so I had to wait again till he faced me.
' "We live in the swamp near the palace."
' "Good heavens!" the King exclaimed. "I'll have to have that place disinfected."
'Then, round he went again. He must have been sick of it because he suddenly shouted at one of the courtiers, "Stop this darn horse."
'The man he shouted at leapt off his horse and grabbed the King's bridle. You could see he was frightened, and for good reasons, since the King leant forward and lashed him with his whip.
' "How dare you give the King a horse like this," he snapped.
' "But you wanted a horse that could prance," stammered the couriter.
' "Prance, yes," said the King, "but I didn't ask for the Circular Waltz."
' He dismounted and adjusted his crown, which had slipped to one side with all the prancing. "Now," he said to me, "you say you are a Bunyip. I watched you fighting the Knights. I...saw your unorthodox methods when St George's gang of tutors were trying to belt you into shape. You certainly dis-horsed them with great skill."
' "Un-horsed them," I corrected him.
' The King glared at me. "An intellectual, eh!"
July 31, 2014
This is one of my All Time Favourite Books. Currently very hard to purchase and long out of print. My family copy (from my childhood) has gone missing and I have only this rather ordinary little paperback copy found in an op shop. No internal illustrations, but the text is still wonderful.
I'm reading it to my children (8 and 9) who won't let me read to them any more because they like reading on their own. But I've found a way around this by reading to them at the dinner table when they are a captive audience. Myyaaaarrrrghhh! (insane laugh. Thanks Otherjude for the spelling of that one. Very handy)
Since the boys were laughing their heads off at chapter two tonight where Peter meets Greyfur and discovers her special gift, I might not have much of a problem from here on :-)
June - Finished. Not only did they love it, but now they are letting me read to them again. So I've hauled out a pile of favourites and we're going to gnaw through them. Hooray for Whispering in the Wind!
I'm reading it to my children (8 and 9) who won't let me read to them any more because they like reading on their own. But I've found a way around this by reading to them at the dinner table when they are a captive audience. Myyaaaarrrrghhh! (insane laugh. Thanks Otherjude for the spelling of that one. Very handy)
Since the boys were laughing their heads off at chapter two tonight where Peter meets Greyfur and discovers her special gift, I might not have much of a problem from here on :-)
June - Finished. Not only did they love it, but now they are letting me read to them again. So I've hauled out a pile of favourites and we're going to gnaw through them. Hooray for Whispering in the Wind!
November 26, 2013
One of the classics of children's literature, but unfortunately not very well known. I am a teacher and I read this book to most of the classes I teach. It has the children rolling with laughter!
Written about the time of the first moon landing, it has wonderful humour and plenty of action to keep most children on the edge of their seats. Some interesting takes on TV, schools, parenting etc... to keep the discussion lively.
A wonderful book to read aloud.
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on an eBook version to store on my iPad?
Written about the time of the first moon landing, it has wonderful humour and plenty of action to keep most children on the edge of their seats. Some interesting takes on TV, schools, parenting etc... to keep the discussion lively.
A wonderful book to read aloud.
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on an eBook version to store on my iPad?
January 29, 2013
This book is utterly gorgeous; an allegory that is touching and, at the same time, comic...A teacher read it to me when I was eight, and the story haunted me for years, until I found a battered copy in a charity shop. I just re-read it with my seven year old daughter and six year old son, and they were both spellbound too (although the seven year old appreciated some of the subtle humour more). Love it; it deserves to be better known.
August 1, 2014
I love this book, must have read it dozens of times over the years.
Currently reading it with my youngest daughter, our special time together.
will have to hunt down another 3 copies to give to each of my girls, plus one more for when my copy eventually falls apart.
Currently reading it with my youngest daughter, our special time together.
will have to hunt down another 3 copies to give to each of my girls, plus one more for when my copy eventually falls apart.
September 7, 2014
Great children's book. Unfortunately has been out of print for many years and is somewhat forgotten. I remember staying up all night to read it as an 10 year old.
September 23, 2012
A childhood favourite.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews