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The Man From Snowy River #1
The Man from Snowy River
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
165 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
13 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
Elyne Mitchell
64 books124 followersElyne Mitchell is an Australian author best known for her Silver Brumby children's series, which tells the story of brumbies that roamed the Snowy Mountains in the Australian Alps, in particular a pale brumby named Thowra.
In 1988, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to literature, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Charts Sturt University in 1993.
In 1988, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to literature, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Charts Sturt University in 1993.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 30, 2022
“There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,”
Two lines of poetry that most Aussies would recognise as coming from the legendary bush poet Banjo Paterson: the beginning of his famous 1890 ballad, The Man from Snowy River. Elyne Mitchell is famous for her series of Australian children’s books, The Silver Brumby, that many of us remember fondly from childhood. Her rendition of the Snowy River story is based on the 1982 film, which in turn is based on the poem.
Set in the Victorian era, main character Jim Craig is a bushman from the Snowy Mountains who is a skilful horseman and horse breaker. After his father is killed in an accident with the wild brumby mob, Jim goes to work for wealthy and arrogant landowner Harrison. Here he meets Harrison’s beautiful and impetuous daughter Jessica and secretly begins working with Harrison’s prize colt. The colt is later taken away with the brumby mob and Jim must do his best to return them. The story has lots of action, a few fairly obvious family secrets and dramas, and some romance. There are classic Aussie bush legends such as Clancy of the Overflow, beautiful horses and scenery. The story is probably better than the writing, but this was a pleasant nostalgic piece of Australiana.
That the colt from old Regret had got away,”
Two lines of poetry that most Aussies would recognise as coming from the legendary bush poet Banjo Paterson: the beginning of his famous 1890 ballad, The Man from Snowy River. Elyne Mitchell is famous for her series of Australian children’s books, The Silver Brumby, that many of us remember fondly from childhood. Her rendition of the Snowy River story is based on the 1982 film, which in turn is based on the poem.
Set in the Victorian era, main character Jim Craig is a bushman from the Snowy Mountains who is a skilful horseman and horse breaker. After his father is killed in an accident with the wild brumby mob, Jim goes to work for wealthy and arrogant landowner Harrison. Here he meets Harrison’s beautiful and impetuous daughter Jessica and secretly begins working with Harrison’s prize colt. The colt is later taken away with the brumby mob and Jim must do his best to return them. The story has lots of action, a few fairly obvious family secrets and dramas, and some romance. There are classic Aussie bush legends such as Clancy of the Overflow, beautiful horses and scenery. The story is probably better than the writing, but this was a pleasant nostalgic piece of Australiana.
July 1, 2014
One of my all time favourite stories and an Australian classic.
The Man From Snowy River by Elyne Mitchell
Is this a legendary story about a legendary poem or a legendary poem about a legendary man?
Some say The Man From Snowy River is a true story about a man named Jack Riley, an early settler in those parts in the mid 1800's, and legendary horseman in his own right, while others suggest the story is made up of a composite of some of the local uniquely skilled horsemen of the Snowy Mountains.
Either way it is one of Australia's favourite legends and the related poem by the same name, penned by one of Australia's favourite poets, A.B. (Banjo) Paterson in 1890, is a timeless classic in its own right.
The story tells of a long standing feud between two brothers over the love of a woman, Matilda, and their efforts to win her heart by establishing themselves as wealthy and worthy prospects.
Matilda was unable to choose between the two brothers, so she told them...half jokingly...that the first one to attain such standing would win her hand.
One brother placed everything he had on a racehorse in the hope of first prize and instant success, while the other brother went prospecting for the gold that was there in those mountains for the finding.
One of these brothers made good and became a very wealthy landholder and owner of a large and prosperous Cattle Station and the proud husband of Matilda. He also developed a love of fine horses and, a generation later paid an unprecedented one thousand pounds for a prized young colt.
Therein lies the beginnings of the legend of old Regret, and the very beautiful and valuable "Colt that got away".
Is history about to repeat itself? Read this wonderful book to find out.
Fine story telling gives a wonderful insight into the rugged and harsh Australian bush life in the time of our early settlers. As well as painting the landscape in such descriptions as to make it vivid in the mind of the reader....and what an epic finale!
5★s from me.
http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors...
http://australia.gov.au/about-austral...
.
The Man From Snowy River by Elyne Mitchell
Is this a legendary story about a legendary poem or a legendary poem about a legendary man?
Some say The Man From Snowy River is a true story about a man named Jack Riley, an early settler in those parts in the mid 1800's, and legendary horseman in his own right, while others suggest the story is made up of a composite of some of the local uniquely skilled horsemen of the Snowy Mountains.
Either way it is one of Australia's favourite legends and the related poem by the same name, penned by one of Australia's favourite poets, A.B. (Banjo) Paterson in 1890, is a timeless classic in its own right.
The story tells of a long standing feud between two brothers over the love of a woman, Matilda, and their efforts to win her heart by establishing themselves as wealthy and worthy prospects.
Matilda was unable to choose between the two brothers, so she told them...half jokingly...that the first one to attain such standing would win her hand.
One brother placed everything he had on a racehorse in the hope of first prize and instant success, while the other brother went prospecting for the gold that was there in those mountains for the finding.
One of these brothers made good and became a very wealthy landholder and owner of a large and prosperous Cattle Station and the proud husband of Matilda. He also developed a love of fine horses and, a generation later paid an unprecedented one thousand pounds for a prized young colt.
Therein lies the beginnings of the legend of old Regret, and the very beautiful and valuable "Colt that got away".
Is history about to repeat itself? Read this wonderful book to find out.
Fine story telling gives a wonderful insight into the rugged and harsh Australian bush life in the time of our early settlers. As well as painting the landscape in such descriptions as to make it vivid in the mind of the reader....and what an epic finale!
5★s from me.
http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors...
http://australia.gov.au/about-austral...
.
June 5, 2012
I enjoyed this book, however, the movie is one of my favorites, and its almost the same as the movie line by line, (I think I found only 6 differences) but since its a favorite, I didn't mind.
October 17, 2014
One of my favorite series growing up was Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books. No author would have been a better choice to turn the screenplay of The Man From Snowy River into a novel. She's a master of drama and characters, and knows and loves horses. I'm so delighted I made time to read this and now I want to find copies of the Silver Brumby books.
April 13, 2017
Review originally posted on A Keybaord and an Open Mind 14 April 2017:
I want to start by just saying how much fun I had with this book! It evoked the Australian bush landscape in such a way that made me feel nostalgic for home, even though I have no intention of ever moving back to my tiny rural home town. The characters were all vibrant and both the love story and the adventure story held my interested the whole way through.
After the death of his father, Jim Craig is told he must earn his right to continue living in the mountains by working down in the town. He gets a job for a rich cattle owner, Harrison, and meets his daughter, Jessica, with whom he forms a bond. When Harrison’s £1000 colt escapes and Jim is blamed for it, he knows that finding the colt is the last chance he will get to prove himself a man.
As I said, every character in this book has their own individual personality; no two of them sounded the same. I sympathised with Jim and his fish-out-of-water situation while he longed for the mountain home where he grew up. I cheered Jessica on when she stood up to her father and I hated the way Harrison thought he had the right to dominate everyone else.
Life on the farm was also well-described, as was the mountain life and horse-riding. There was a mystery regarding Harrison’s past that wasn’t too hard to guess, but it did provide some good backstory. One of the few things that niggled me was the way at the end, Jim and Harrison both spoke of Jessica as something they could lay claim to. While Jim did say “Jessica can make her own decision on that”, it still bothered me a little.
While Banjo Patterson’s original poem, The Man From Snowy River, focuses solely on the escape of the colt and the mad ride to catch it again, this only accounted for about the last quarter or so of the novel. However, it was interesting revisiting the poem after reading this and realising just how many references from it were peppered throughout the book.
(This review is part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2017. Click here for more information).
I want to start by just saying how much fun I had with this book! It evoked the Australian bush landscape in such a way that made me feel nostalgic for home, even though I have no intention of ever moving back to my tiny rural home town. The characters were all vibrant and both the love story and the adventure story held my interested the whole way through.
After the death of his father, Jim Craig is told he must earn his right to continue living in the mountains by working down in the town. He gets a job for a rich cattle owner, Harrison, and meets his daughter, Jessica, with whom he forms a bond. When Harrison’s £1000 colt escapes and Jim is blamed for it, he knows that finding the colt is the last chance he will get to prove himself a man.
As I said, every character in this book has their own individual personality; no two of them sounded the same. I sympathised with Jim and his fish-out-of-water situation while he longed for the mountain home where he grew up. I cheered Jessica on when she stood up to her father and I hated the way Harrison thought he had the right to dominate everyone else.
Life on the farm was also well-described, as was the mountain life and horse-riding. There was a mystery regarding Harrison’s past that wasn’t too hard to guess, but it did provide some good backstory. One of the few things that niggled me was the way at the end, Jim and Harrison both spoke of Jessica as something they could lay claim to. While Jim did say “Jessica can make her own decision on that”, it still bothered me a little.
While Banjo Patterson’s original poem, The Man From Snowy River, focuses solely on the escape of the colt and the mad ride to catch it again, this only accounted for about the last quarter or so of the novel. However, it was interesting revisiting the poem after reading this and realising just how many references from it were peppered throughout the book.
(This review is part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2017. Click here for more information).
January 30, 2019
Probably a 2.5/5. Some really beautiful, poetic passages, especially those describing nature. Overall my attention did waiver, and i found that I could anticipate the future developments a little too easily.
June 27, 2013
Read this story over and over, until the pages came apart. Great book, with the real feel of Australia.
December 5, 2019
English review below the Greek one...
Ίσως και να το είχα διαβάσει πάρα πολύ παλιά στα Ελληνικά, δεν ξέρω. Πάντως στην Αγγλική του εκδοχή έμαθα αρκετές ενδιαφέρουσες ορολογίες της Αυστραλιανής διαλέκτου και υπαίθρου και απόλαυσα τις περιγραφές του τρόπου ζωής, των τοπίων και της φύσης σε εκείνη την περιοχή και εποχή. Οι χαρακτήρες είναι κάπως μονοδιάστατοι και η πλοκή εύκολο να καταλάβεις που πηγαίνει, ωστόσο γενικά το ευχαριστήθηκα. Μου άρεσε πολύ ο κεντρικός ρόλος που έχουν τα άλογα στην ιστορία, αρκετά από αυτά με πολύ ευδιάκριτους, ξεχωριστούς χαρακτήρες. (Αν και συχνά πιάνω τον εαυτό μου σε αυτά τα βιβλία να λέει "Μ*λάκα άνθρωπε, άσε το ζωάκι ήσυχο να ζήσει τη ζωή του!")
Το βιβλίο εκδόθηκε το 1980τόσο μετά από μία επιτυχημένη ταινία που με τη σειρά της είναι βασισμένη στο ομώνυμο ποίημα του 1890 από τον Banjo Paterson, ο οποίος εμφανίζεται μέσα στο βιβλίο. Ενδιαφέρον.
Το ποίημα και γενικά η ιστορία είναι εμπνευσμένα από συγκεκριμένα πρόσωπα και αντιπροσωπευτικά της εποχής και θεωρούνται κλασσικά στην Αυστραλία.
Μάλλον διαφορετικό από αυτά που διαβάζω συνήθως, το είχα ανάγκη ένα τέτοιο διάλειμμα ανάμεσα σε άλλα αναγνώσματα...
This was a very quick and nice little book! The plot was somehow predictable and the characters a bit two-dimentional, but I enjoyed it a lot and I loved the descriptions of the nature, the landscape and the lifestyle of the era and area. I liked the crucial part that horses had in the story, many of them pictured with distinct personalities. Interesting terminology to learn too for this Greek who's far from fluent in English!
I noticed that this book is inspired by an early 1980s film that in turn was inspired by a 1890's poem by Banjo Paterson, who's actually featured in the novel. How cool is that?
An Australian classic and quite different from my usual reads, not bad at all!
Ίσως και να το είχα διαβάσει πάρα πολύ παλιά στα Ελληνικά, δεν ξέρω. Πάντως στην Αγγλική του εκδοχή έμαθα αρκετές ενδιαφέρουσες ορολογίες της Αυστραλιανής διαλέκτου και υπαίθρου και απόλαυσα τις περιγραφές του τρόπου ζωής, των τοπίων και της φύσης σε εκείνη την περιοχή και εποχή. Οι χαρακτήρες είναι κάπως μονοδιάστατοι και η πλοκή εύκολο να καταλάβεις που πηγαίνει, ωστόσο γενικά το ευχαριστήθηκα. Μου άρεσε πολύ ο κεντρικός ρόλος που έχουν τα άλογα στην ιστορία, αρκετά από αυτά με πολύ ευδιάκριτους, ξεχωριστούς χαρακτήρες. (Αν και συχνά πιάνω τον εαυτό μου σε αυτά τα βιβλία να λέει "Μ*λάκα άνθρωπε, άσε το ζωάκι ήσυχο να ζήσει τη ζωή του!")
Το βιβλίο εκδόθηκε το 1980τόσο μετά από μία επιτυχημένη ταινία που με τη σειρά της είναι βασισμένη στο ομώνυμο ποίημα του 1890 από τον Banjo Paterson, ο οποίος εμφανίζεται μέσα στο βιβλίο. Ενδιαφέρον.
Το ποίημα και γενικά η ιστορία είναι εμπνευσμένα από συγκεκριμένα πρόσωπα και αντιπροσωπευτικά της εποχής και θεωρούνται κλασσικά στην Αυστραλία.
Μάλλον διαφορετικό από αυτά που διαβάζω συνήθως, το είχα ανάγκη ένα τέτοιο διάλειμμα ανάμεσα σε άλλα αναγνώσματα...
This was a very quick and nice little book! The plot was somehow predictable and the characters a bit two-dimentional, but I enjoyed it a lot and I loved the descriptions of the nature, the landscape and the lifestyle of the era and area. I liked the crucial part that horses had in the story, many of them pictured with distinct personalities. Interesting terminology to learn too for this Greek who's far from fluent in English!
I noticed that this book is inspired by an early 1980s film that in turn was inspired by a 1890's poem by Banjo Paterson, who's actually featured in the novel. How cool is that?
An Australian classic and quite different from my usual reads, not bad at all!
March 6, 2023
Reading this was really fun. I have to admit that when I started, I thought this had been written by a man. About 3 paragraphs in, I was feeling a bit confused because the writing, especially about the horses, was so feminine. I looked up the author, and, shocking, she was a woman. It all made sense now. The writing is feminine but very strong. The description of the horses comes from the deep heart of a horse girl. Her love is both familiar, horse girl here myself, and beautiful. It was also fun to read her descriptions. I'm used to rich North American/British descriptions, but the Australian ones were like reading about a fantasy world. I had no idea what any of these plants looked like. Which did give me a really fun breakthrough in a book in working on.
So, yeah, if you enjoyed the movie as a kid, you'll probably enjoy this book. It's one of the rare moments when a book written after the movie is pretty good.
PS: I would say this is pretty clean. There's a fair amount of kissing and a scene where nothing is shown happening, but it's referenced back to as physically special for the two lovers. No details given. Also, if you're raising homemakers, this book is mildly derogatory towards that great work, which is frustrating. A girl can have her home and horses too.
So, yeah, if you enjoyed the movie as a kid, you'll probably enjoy this book. It's one of the rare moments when a book written after the movie is pretty good.
PS: I would say this is pretty clean. There's a fair amount of kissing and a scene where nothing is shown happening, but it's referenced back to as physically special for the two lovers. No details given. Also, if you're raising homemakers, this book is mildly derogatory towards that great work, which is frustrating. A girl can have her home and horses too.
December 31, 2024
3.5 stars. I really like the film, & it was enjoyable to read the novel. I really liked the descriptions of the Australian fauna & flora woven through the storyline (a wombat rustling in the bush, magpies warbling in the morning mist, etc). It had me googling different birds & plants mentioned in the story, so that I could picture them. It was educational for me. The author set the scene so well. I could smell the flowers, feel the dew, & hear the wind swish through the eucalyptus. While I did like the book, the film was better.
I like the first few lines: ‘The cold autumn wind blew over the mountain peaks. It touched the hides of the wild horses, lifted the jet black & silver manes that shone in the sunset light. The sound of the wind in the granite tors, high above them, filled the mob with urgent disquiet’.
I like the first few lines: ‘The cold autumn wind blew over the mountain peaks. It touched the hides of the wild horses, lifted the jet black & silver manes that shone in the sunset light. The sound of the wind in the granite tors, high above them, filled the mob with urgent disquiet’.
December 30, 2021
Perfectly romantic in the best of ways. Easy to read. The movie follows incredibly close to the book, so zero disappointment there. Reading certain parts in the book made me crave the movie - they both go SO well together. I’m happy I found an old movie tie-in paperback copy, but I’m sad it’s not represented here in the versions available on GoodReads! It’s a great cover.
Loved it, read it all in one day.
Loved it, read it all in one day.
March 5, 2023
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Elyne Mitchell brings to life the adventures of Jim Craig aka The Man from Snowy River perfectly, and describes the high country in vivid terms. A short but great read, with some detail to flesh out the brilliant film starring Tom Burlinson, Sigrid Thornton and Kirk Douglas.
June 10, 2017
I thought this was the original poem when I picked it up. Although it is just like the movie, it still a fun read and a classic story.
January 25, 2020
Good story. Predictable, but still a fascinating read. Will eventually watch the movie, but don't anticipate it to be as good as the book.
February 4, 2020
A great novel about becoming a man and a wild horse.
August 15, 2020
Love the movie and was excited to find the book!
January 8, 2021
Book was terrible, obviously done after the screenplay. The movie lines were about the only good writing in it. Still, kind of fun to read though
November 25, 2025
Actual rating 4.5/5
I haven’t enjoyed a book so thoroughly in a while. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think this is better than The Silver Brumby!
I haven’t enjoyed a book so thoroughly in a while. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think this is better than The Silver Brumby!
February 18, 2017
My favorite movie, and this book does it justice. I defiantly suggest reading it and watching the movie. You could also read the poem it's all based on.
April 12, 2015
This book, and the movie made from it, remains one of my favourite books (and movies!). I first read it as a teenager, 20-odd years ago, and every few years I read it again. I just can't get enough!
I love the Australian High Country, I love the outback, the 'olden days', the horses ... and the dynamic of this story. I fell in love with Jim Craig years ago, and am still in love with him today.
Jessica is impetuous, spirited, loyal and strong, and she is the perfect match for Jim.
I think I've read every single one of Elyne Mitchell's books over the years, but this is the only one I still have, and still read.
I love the Australian High Country, I love the outback, the 'olden days', the horses ... and the dynamic of this story. I fell in love with Jim Craig years ago, and am still in love with him today.
Jessica is impetuous, spirited, loyal and strong, and she is the perfect match for Jim.
I think I've read every single one of Elyne Mitchell's books over the years, but this is the only one I still have, and still read.
September 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The author takes readers to a beautiful setting with a story of love, life and hardship that makes readers want to slow down and savor every moment. I love the twists and turns as readers learn about the past and its effect on the present. Well done.
February 4, 2017
The book based on the film based on the poem. :D
It's only a short book but this was really well written. The author obviously knows a lot about horses, Australian flora and fauna, and snowy mountain life in the 1890s.
It's only a short book but this was really well written. The author obviously knows a lot about horses, Australian flora and fauna, and snowy mountain life in the 1890s.
December 17, 2012
love this book, horses and a great story.
March 22, 2014
I wish I'd read it earlier, I love the story, now I want ot see the movies, I ordered them in with my library.
November 11, 2014
Text follows the movie. Which I love.
August 3, 2015
I grew up reading about the Snowy Mountains, brumbies and the bush thanks to Elyne Mitchell. Classic read, so inherently bush patriotic!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews