Power Without Glory

by Frank J. Hardy

Power Without Glory caused a sensation when it was released, leading to a famous court case. It is a thinly veiled description of the rise to power of real life figure John Wren (in the book 'John West').

Some other people alluded to in the book include Tommy Bent, Sir Samuel Gillott, the gangster Squizzy Taylor and Archbishop Daniel Mannix.

In the history of Australian literature few books have been so controversial than Frank Hardy's Power Without Glory.This is a tale of corruption stretching from street corner SP bookmaking to the most influential men in the land - and the terrible personal cost of the power such corruption brings. John West rose from a Melbourne slum to dominate Australian politics with bribery, brutality and fear. His attractive wife and their children turned away from him in horror. Friends dropped away. At the peak of his power, surrounded by bootlickers, West faced a hate-filled nation - and the terrible loneliness of his life.

Was John West a real figure? For months during the post-war years, an Australian court heard evidence in a sensational libel action brought by businessman John Wren's wife. After a national uproar which rocked the very foundations of the Commonwealth, Frank Hardy was acquitted. This is the novel which provoked such intense uproar and debate across the nation. The questions it poses remain unanswered

Genres: Australia, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Politics, Historical, Classics, 20th Century

671 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Francis Joseph Hardy, or Frank, was an Australian left-wing novelist and writer best known for his controversial novel Power Without Glory. He also was a political activist bringing the plight of Aboriginal Australians to international attention with the publication of his book, The Unlucky Australians, in 1968. He ran unsuccessfully for the Australian parliament twice.

Reviews

[Dillwynia Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time can be cruel regarding public memory and scandal. Power Without Glory had to be written in secret and self-published, and yet it still landed the author in gaol. This is a thinly disguised biography of the Melbourne identity John Wren. What time has done is make people who were well known in the 1920s to 1940s in both Federal and Victorian State politics, become inconsequential in the early 21st Century. Almost no one remembers who the Prime Minister was at the start of the Great Depression (it was Scullin) or the appalling politics in Victoria at the time.

However, if one treats this as completely fictional, then what one has is a novel regarding the machinations of politics by powerful people and the Churches. It thus becomes as relevant today as when this was written, or during the portrayed period. As a historical political novel, then we enter a time that was turbulent, and covered well by Hardy. So many people no longer are aware of the distain of the Irish Catholics, and the massive issue of the Easter Rebellion of 1916 in Ireland. British Empire jingoism at a high because of the war left many Australians wondering how to negotiate a war they strongly believed in, and a nation to which they had strong ties having its own internal battles. In later aspects of the novel, the fear of communism outside of Russia was a powerful one and especially as any entitlements awarded to poorly paid workers was a thin edge to all out communism. The Catholic church in Australia played an important part in splitting and weakening the Australian Labor Party in their strident rooting out of all communist concepts. The outcome was Labor in wilderness for 20 years, and no affective opposition. Thus for me, the strength of this book is the Irish Catholic situation of early Federated Australia: the power the Catholic church had over the Labor Party, and its will to influence politics. The concerted effort to get funding of Catholic schools by public money was just one case in point. It is also something that is still hotly contested in the public sphere: the difference is mostly younger evangelist churches have replaced the Catholic church in having influence in politics.

In an ideal world, the book desperately needed an astute editor. The 1st part is too detailed and long, and the final section is rushed, under-written and much is accidently glossed over, such that the narrative discussing the assertive attack of the Catholics to root out left, socialist leaning Labor politicians (The Movement) is confusing to the contemporary reader. One of the problems is the topics Hardy was most interested in, are way too large to sit comfortably in one novel. In one aspect, this would have worked well as two or three ones that could have developed someone of the plot lines and themes. I’m reminded on how C.P. Snow or Anthony Powell achieved this in their novel cycles. Of course, on such a contentious subject as John Wren, this could never happen. In some ways, I felt that Hardy could have fictionised his characters a bit more, but still cover the themes of corrupt politics and the Catholic church interference. Contemporary stories such as House of Cards have been successful in this, and Hardy could have avoided a libel case. To be honest, Hardy was an inexperienced author taking on a massive story, and these shortfalls accentuate his naivety and inexperience. However, despite these shortfalls, Hardy does do an excellent narrative for a 1st book.

One major issue with the novel is our anti-hero John West. He is loathsome from page one & never redeems himself even at the end. The main problem is Hardy obviously hated him with a passion, and it shows. West in many ways is a cardboard character and the person that carries the narrative along. Far more interesting and fleshed out characters are Frank Ashton, Richard Bradley, Daniel Malone and Thurgood.

As I read the book, I had Wikipedia open. There is an entry devoted to this book, and someone has listed and matched, as much as possible, the character against the public identity, many of whom have their own pages. Not only did I find this informative, it lead me to learn a lot more about early Federation politics. This book showed me that Australians have never been pleasant in politics: the rorts and exploitations observed now have always been there. What shook me the most is the concept of a Royal Commission. They have ALWAYS been used as a means to either discredit someone or some organisation, or to equally bury the truth into a tome that is never acted upon. I honestly thought this was a recent phenomenon.

Power Without Glory can have a limited contemporary audience: restricting to a fictionalised account of a public figure in early Federated Australian and Victorian state politics. However, treat it as a political novel that describes this period in politics, particularly the earlier, growing years of the Australian Labor Party, and one gets a really interesting insight into a politics that isn’t that much removed from the current bad behaviour in our own times from the major players.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most powerful novels to have come out of Australia. With very little attempt at disguise, it tells the story of an Australian mobster who ruled a network of criminal activity for several decades before the Second World War. It is a brutal story and one that somehow touches on an aspect of Australian history which is hardly ever expressed in print. European Australia has always been a hard land. With communities originally based on convict labour, it seems as though a certain amount of violence came to be taken almost for granted. In a country that long had an oversupply of men, it is perhaps not so surprising that they spent much of their time trying to dominate both the land, its original inhabitants and each other. A sometimes brutal Army Corps looked after convicts for the first fifty years or so. Later, law enforcement was taken over by a police force which has often had to face charges of similar brutality and deep-rooted corruption, up to the present day. Aussie politics has always had a particularly nasty underbelly, and it seems as though social conditions were ripe in the 1920s for the rise of just such a personage as is depicted here.

Frank Hardy had to fight (the mob) hard to get this novel published and once he had succeeded, he had to go to court to defend it against a defamation order. The book's main character, even though he tried hard in later life to attain a position of legitimacy, always found himself caught up in the web of underworld intrigue that he had created. Even so, it is probably true to say that most ordinary people didn't want to know about the activities imputed to a man who was, superficially, a pillar of the community. So Hardy was right to expose the ruthless nature of the beast underlying the ostensibly honest sports promoter and family man. And perhaps all Australia, or those who remember this particular episode (and its ongoing media life through film and television) did well to note what sort of man lay behind the mask.

Australia has taken a long time to come out of this period of its history, when personal might could be displayed almost with impunity, even in public affairs. This book, perhaps neglected today, serves to remind us of the imposing structure of organised crime that Australia has had to grow up with. In addition, it is a fine literary achievement and worthy of being read on that basis alone.

[Joey Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this was quite a ride.

1st Third: pretty great read. Early days in Collingwood/Richmond, the tote shop.. Lots of good characters and West is still vaguely relatable.

2nd Third: alright, well it's slowing down with all the details of his many scams but the stuff about the start of the Labour Party is pretty good.

Last third: argh need to finish this book. Do I need to know all the corrupt scams that ever happened in racing or boxing or cycling? Ooh this stuff about the Catholic Church driving the communists out of the unions is pretty good.

For historical detail and political info I give this book an A+. Especially given what Hardy went through to get this printed.

[Paul Guiton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book for Christmas in either 2000 or 2001 by my father, a farmer and Labour stalwart who encouraged me to both write and read. It remains to this very day the best book I have ever been given, perhaps the greatest gift ever. I can think of few if any Australian works that surpass it. I suppose I'll have to concede that Praise by Andrew McGahan is better but outside that it is the best. I hate gambling and the parasites that run industries based on it. This book not only shows the corrupting influence of power but the way it can destroy a person's humanity. John West is so obsessed with power and money that in the end he has not a true friend in the world, only boot lickers and sycophants.
Frank Hardy was the first author, to my knowledge, to highlight the sinister addictive social disease that gambling is. It is a book that is apt for the modern world. I found it a compelling tale, identified with many of the types from Carringbush and believed in the corrupting influence of extreme wealth, both on West himself and all those he tried to manipulate. Perhaps later in the book it shies too far away from the personal but by its end the effect on West is both palpable and it certainly makes you think. Thank you Frank Hardy and no one regrets it more that Communism turned out to be a huge rort which was in truth perhaps worse than Facism

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finish date: 04 December 2017
Genre: roman à clef
Rating: B
Review: Frank Hardy wanted to expose poverty andthe extent of political corruption in various aspects of Australian life. Hardy also wanted to make the case for the Communist Party.
A novel aimed at a popular readership ...about prominent figures in Australian politics and Catholic Church could do real damage.
Archbishop Malone = Archbishop of Melbourne Daniel Mannix
John West = John Wren
John Wren was not a gangster, but a big city boss who
...excelled at machine politics, and even funded the Catholic Church
Last thoughts:
Coined as the most influential novel published in Australia in 20th C
…you have to read it taking into account the political climate in Melbourne at the time. It is and remains an…
#AustralianClassic.

Review

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book, particularly whilst living in Collingwood (Carringbush). Not only interesting to read about the politics of the day but also, trying to guess who and where the 'real' people and places were. I did find the famous tote (labelled on a plaque by Collingwood Historical Society) and, through my own research and contacts, I was able to see the actual record of the baptism of one of Wren's daughters.

[Marcus Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Power Without Glory, by Frank Hardy
First published 1950


Before I read Power Without Glory, I had a politically simple view of the world. Of course I knew corruption existed, it was just that I expected politicians, church leaders, police commissioners, and even betting agencies to be — if not honest — then, almost honest.

The story is largely set in Melbourne, Australia, starting in 1890. It is about the rise of a man the novel calls John West, the public knew him as John Wren. Power Without Glory is presented as a novel, but everyone knows it is factual. John Wren rose from poverty to immense wealth and political influence, starting with backyard gambling and bribing the police.

The book covers a period of 60 years, and so presents a vivid portrayal of life in Australia during that era, and by life we can include gambling, corruption of political leaders, bribery, thuggery, fixing sporting events, illegal activities of every kind, including murder. At the height of his power John Wren wielded as much power as the Prime Minister. Many parliamentarians were in debt to him; financially he had supported their election, his contacts with the Catholic Church went to the top, while newspapers and the police force were also under his influence.

Unfortunately, Frank Hardy never wrote anything else in the same class as Power Without Glory, not to worry, one great work is a massive achievement.

I read the book, almost savagely, I could not stop to catch my breath. It was truly one of those books we come across that is difficult to stop reading, even though it was 650 pages.

When I finished it, I was changed. I was no longer as politically naive, I was suspicious of politicians, the gambling industry, and police. Somewhere along the way, my political allegiance had shifted from the Right Wing to Left of Centre. Yet in the book, it is the Labor Party that works hand in glove with John West. Perhaps it was that I could see manipulation in the words and actions of the Liberals who were in power at the time. The Vietnam War was raging at full intensity, and suddenly I was full of suspicion and disbelief.
Power Without Glory changed my world. Thank you Frank Hardy.


www.what2readnext.com

[Cass]

'More than 100 of Australia's best known writers, artists, scientists and members of the professions are petitioning the Victorian Attorney-General for the withdrawl of the case against Power Without Glory author Frank Hardy (in) defence of Australian traditions'
DAILY TELEGRAPH 1951

'[witnesses in the case against Hardy] today identified distinguished Australians with the characters in the book:
Among them were:
Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey (Blaire in the book); James Scullin, a former Prime Minister (Jim Somers); Sir High Devine, eminent surgeon (Dr Devlin); Archbishop Carr (Archbishop Conn); T.J.Ryan, a former Premier of Queensland (T.J.Real); Mr W.P.C.Kennelly, M.L.C. Federal Secretary for the ALP (Teddy Kelleher); and Mr W Barry, MLA, former State Labor Minister for Housing (Bill Brady).'
DAILY TELEGRAPH 1951

[Lewis Woolston · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't many Australian novels that have been as controversial and as important to the Nation's soul as Power Without Glory by Frank Hardy.
The book is a thinly veiled account of the life of John Wren (named as John West in the novel) and how he bribed and knifed his way from the slums of Melbourne to become a millionaire and a serious power broker in Australian political life.
The novel is an easy read and in style owes a lot to Balzac and Dickens. The subject matter is more relevant than ever.
For me the most moving part was when Frank Ashton, a dismal failure of a Labor politician who has betrayed every ideal he ever had, looks back on his life with regret.
The whole book has a real ring of truth about it. I was profoundly moved and inspired by this novel. Well done Mr Hardy, you thoroughly deserve your sainted place in Australian Literary History.

[Maddison Zalewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to put this very clearly so no one my age makes the same mistake I did; This is NOT a good book if you're still in year 10 or under! I'm in year 9 and while I found it interesting, I struggled to finish it and ended up handing in all my assignments late. If you are going to choose this book, please make sure you have more than 7 weeks to do your assignments. This novel is thick and can easily become a bore after the first third.

As for the book itself, it was alright. It may be because I'm younger but after the Road to Power it seemed to drag on too much, and realism seemed to stray. I do admire its historical side of it, being based on real-life people and the early 1900's politics in Victoria, but it's just needed to end.

Overall, an interesting book but drags on for way too long.

[Oskar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant stuff, for sure one of the most important Australian novels historically & literarily. Struck by how politically relevant it feels 71 years on, the corruption at the heart of Australian politics it details is the corruption at the heart of capitalism. It also snuck up on me how emotional I would be at the ending. Just a great book all around. Will definitely have to read more by Hardy

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting because of its Australian historical political context but no literary great

[bikerbuddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Power without Glory is not a book everyone will enjoy, and as the years pass it might become one of those books that has historical interest but isn’t likely to be read widely as entertainment. The book was self-published in 1950. Frank Hardy, its author, knew his book was political dynamite. He had difficulty even getting the book typeset and printed, and a company that had contracted to fold the printed sheets, ready for binding, pulled out when its workers began to read what they were working with. The book was based on extensive research into the labour movement from the early 1890s until the late 1940s, on the Communist party, of which Hardy was a member, upon the machinations of government during the period, both state and federal, as well as scandals over the Mungana Mining Leases, which is fictionalised in the novel in minute detail. John West, the fictional version of the then well-known sport promoter, John Wren, a man who had gained power through his vast wealth over the selection and election of political candidates, and had been implicated in fraud and even murder, was the focus of Hardy’s intent to reveal corruption and the betrayal of the working classes in Australia. Because of this, the physical production of Hardy’s book was not the only matter of concern. In the years during which he was researching and writing his book, he always had to remain careful not to draw attention to his project, given the political and financial power that might be brought against him. The prospect that the manuscript might be taken from him, or that the pages being produced from the print run might be seized – which had cost Hardy significant sums – was very real.

As it turned out, when the book eventually began to sell well in 1950, Hardy was arrested for criminal libel. His case was to be the last criminal libel case tried in Melbourne (all cases since have been civil). Strangely enough, the many political and business revelations in the book were ignored in the indictement. Instead, Hardy was tried for impugning the reputation of Ellen Wren, John Wren’s wife. The argument was that she was readily identifiable in the book as Nellie West, since Ellen Wren was John Wren’s wife, and John West is unmistakably John Wren. The issue was that Hardy’s story has Nellie West having an affair with a bricklayer, and later a child, Xavier, to him. The prosecution’s tactic helped to acquit Hardy, since it became suspicious that he was forced to defend a libel charge for suggesting adultery, but on the matter of murder and fraud, Wren had made no application for remedy.

The novel was also published in a period of political upheaval for Australia. The Chifley Labor government was defeated in 1949 by Robert Menzies’s Liberal-Country Coalition. Labor had courted workers through the trade union movement since Federation in 1901, but had increasingly received competition from the Communist Party (CPA), whose ideologies overlapped some key Labor tenets. Hardy’s book intersected with political moves to oust the CPA from Australian politics. Chifley had stood against the CPA in 1949 when it attempted to use its influence to draw some of Labor’s support, using the miners’ strike as a political fulcrum. In response, Labor used strike breakers to undermine the CPA’s tactic. In 1951, Prime Minister Menzies, concerned at the rising power of Communist nations, attempted to legislate the CPA out of existence, but was struck down by the High Court (Australia’s equivalent to the American Supreme Court), and was subsequently defeated at referendum in an attempt to change the constitution to allow him to do this. This was the political climate in which the book was published.

Given this, I will first talk about why this book may be inaccessible for many readers now, followed by what the book has to offer.

Two of the biggest problems for readers now is the subject matter, itself, and the way Hardy uses that material. Much of the book is so dedicated to the discussion of politics, factions, business dealings, the culture of racing and other gambling sports, corruption and crime, all through the prism of John West, John Wren’s fictional counterpart, that the detail can become overwhelming. This was obviously not such an issue in the 1950s. Hardy’s contemporary readers were readily familiar with the political issues of the time, as well as the many politicians and personalities who are represented throughout the book. John Wren, himself, was still alive (he died 1953). The implications of Hardy’s story were explosive. They implicated Wren in a network of crime and the influence of politicians for his own gain. His portrayal as a working class man who betrays his working class origins by courting the working class in his early career to grow his wealth through his betting tote, but effectively exploiting them: who supports conscription during World War I, primarily out of interest to protect his own wealth; his in-principle support of fascist ideology against Communist ideals, which Hardy is naturally sympathetic to; and his associations with the Catholic Church – his use of bribes and donations to control the church – in order to effect his political intentions, are all told with great detail that is cumulatively damning. But the detail is sometimes relentless. New characters are introduced into the story throughout the novel, even in its final pages, often associated with a new scheme or scandal. The narrative swerves from one political issue to another, often with little preamble. It takes some patience and faith to focus on those details and wait to see how Hardy weaves them into a mostly coherent narrative. And given that the details are mainly of historical interest now, that is something of a burden for modern readers who are not necessarily students of history.

Power without Glory was Frank Hardy’s first novel, and in some ways that shows. He is more committed to his research and politics than the conventions of the novel or the needs of readers. But it would be disingenuous to say that Power without Glory isn’t a moving story. The novel captures the temperament of the period, but it is also a very personal story that is quite affecting. I think the irony is that while Hardy sought to demonise Wren/West, he also makes him a somewhat sympathetic character. The most ready comparison I can think of is Orson Wells’s Citizen Kane. First, there is the fact that Wells, like Hardy, based his character upon a real man, William Randolph Hearst, a newspaper mogul of the day who wielded enormous power. Wells’ portrayal of Hearst drew harsh criticism, not to mention that Hearst had great social influence during that period. Citizen Kane failed to win the 1941 Oscar for best picture and Wells was even booed. Notwithstanding that, viewing Citizen Kane, now, distant from its contemporary controversies, Kane is a somewhat sympathetic character. His lonesome death, the mystery of his life, and his increasing alienation, despite his wealth, make him someone we want to know. That, after all, is the whole point of the film.

West has a comparable trajectory. We first meet him at the age of twenty-four. Like many, he has been the victim of the 1890s economic depression. Like thousands of others, he is sacked. But he is determined not to be poor, and the first part of the book is about West’s endeavours to create some wealth by running an illegal totaliser, a betting venture that draws the working poor from around his district. West deflects criticisms that he is exploiting his own class by saying that he is fairer than the other totes and always honest with his customers; that he provides something that is wanted. His attempts to keep his tote running, despite the constant raids by police, and to keep himself out of jail, result in ever-increasing illegal measures, as well as his own growing understanding of how to manipulate the legal system, and eventually the political realm when that impinges upon his interests, too. But Hardy introduces an interesting tension in his portrayal of West. As a political ideologue he cannot help but be openly critical of West; of the corrupt means by which he gains power, of his cynical use of politicians and religious leaders to get what he wants, and the abominable way he treats his family, never able to separate his sense of the power he wields in the world from his personal life at home. In short, West is something of a monster, and his corruption stands as a representation of the corruption endemic during that period.

Yet, Hardy writes beyond the tenets of his own political ideology as he tells John West’s story, and thereby creates a more complex character with whom we can be engaged......

Read my full review of Power Without Glory by Frank Hardy on the Reading Project

[Rick Goff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Australian novel is important because of its topic and treatment. It’s a thinly veiled recitation of the infamous career of John Wren, a gangster and political fixer who made millions and swayed politics throughout the first half of the 20th century. The novel was self-published in 1950, two years before Wren’s death. A libel suit was brought, but interestingly the complainant was not Wren but his wife, who took exception to the description of West’s wife’s sexual affair with a tradesman. West/Wren is portrayed as a man who entered into illegal gambling in order to escape poverty and learned quickly that success could be protected through bribery. As his fortune grew, his lust for power grew with it until eventually that lust was left as his only passion. He came to own many politicians and officials through surprisingly easy corruption and made the Labor Party a servant to his program.

The obvious American comparison is Upton Sinclair who imho was a much better novelist. There is nothing particular in the depiction of Wren’s personality or any other. The human story is really nothing more than this: the adventures of a megalomaniac bring misery to all involved. The more important theme is the cruelty and corruption inherent to the capitalist system. This novelist is to be esteemed more for his courage than for his skill.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolute drama, but at times pretty dry. Took me a long time to read because it was kinda fatiguing. If I reread I’ll take note of the characters because there are lots and most of them are only differential by their names lol.

[Peter Jakobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never mind that Hardy was an unreconstructed Commo; this is a great, great-big book, a scandalous roman-a-clef based on a Collingwood Mafioso, John Wren and his rise (and rise). Blessed with no literary touches but a lot of narrative drive, the book has become, in its unpretentious way, a landmark of Australian literature. Hardy had to overcome a myriad hurdles to get his work published and only then did his troubles really begin, in the form of various reprisals, including an almost ruinous trial for criminal libel.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardy’s 1952 thinly-disguised biography of the life of John Wren has poor dialogue and an excessively didactic tone but nevertheless this 670-page epic is very absorbing as power corrupts West (Wren) when he rises in the early 1900s through his tote to eventually control much of the Labour Movement until his death after WWII. The influence of the Catholic Church and the venality of most politicians feature prominently although it is hard to accept the total influence Wren allegedly exercised. 3.5 stars.

[Marc Funaro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry to say I have given up on this book. I've gotten 400 pages in and my mind still hasn't soaked any of it in. It may be the style it is written in, or my lack of care for any of the characters, but I can't see myself ever picking this book up again. It's really a shame, seeing as how this book was highly recommended to me, and I was deeply interested in Melbourne's history (especially after living here for 3 years)
I would only recommend this book to some serious historians or people interested in politics. I am not interested in history or politics, and I now know why. I fall asleep.

[Oblomov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating picture of Australian politics, organised crime and corruption in the late 19th to the mid 20th century viewed through the (barely) fictionalised retelling of the life of John Wren, a noted racing identity whose empire extended to control sporting competitions(and related gambling), mining and politics. To reiterate a previous reviewer, the value in this book lies in its picture of a time and place in Australia's history as opposed to literary merit.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel, but not a perfect one.

I was recommended this book because I was interested in the history of Melbourne - esp. the religious and church history - after I moved here three years ago. It more than delivered.

This provides a great backdrop to the biography of Bob Santamaria and Archbishop Mannix.

[Ian Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a long time since I read this classic, have started to dip back into it. It gives a great insight into politics and corruption in Australia , especially in the preWW2 period.
The TV series based on the book was also a classic.

[Daniel]

A brillant narrative on the Melbourne political, criminal and underworld classes from 1890 - 1950. Anyone who likes epic historical tales will like this book

[Anne Homeschooling-Mama · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Ian Danger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too bad underbelly, your continual attempts to ruin this books narrative voice have all failed

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started brilliantly. I absolutely loved the story of West's rise to power through his tote in Carringbush. Once he closed them down and moved into politics, the story really lost me.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Aussie novel.

[Athol-mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really interesting view of Melbourne

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start, a good middle but a bad end.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was big in it's day, but I think it would be pretty dated now. I recall my grandfather talking about it. The first half was good, but it became a slog after page 300 or so.

[Big Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Australian novel, low on literary flourish but high on narrative drive.