Waiting for Childhood

by Sumner Locke Elliott

Set in early twentieth-century Australia, this novel follows the seven children of the Reverend and Mrs. Lord as they face the world with few weapons other than their blithe optimism

Genres: Fiction

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Elliott was born in Sydney in 1917 to the writer Helena Sumner Locke and the journalist Henry Logan Elliott. His mother died of eclampsia one day after his birth. Elliott was raised by his aunts, who had a fierce custody battle over him, fictionalized in Elliott's autobiographical novel, Careful, He Might Hear You. Elliott was educated at Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill, Sydney.

Elliott began acting and writing for radio during his teens, and showed signs of a promising career during his twenties before he was called for administrative military service in World War II. In 1948, Elliott relocated to the United States where he became a highly regarded television scriptwriter. As a fiercely intelligent and bold person, he made a name for himself, until the era of live television drama ended in the early 1960s.

Elliott remained in the United States for the remainder of his life, commencing a literary career in 1963 with his autobiographical novel "Careful He Might Hear You", which won the Miles Franklin Award and was subsequently made into a film. He published ten novels in total, several of which dealt with issues from his own childhood and experiences in Australia before the War. Although he increasingly developed a following among Australian readers, Elliott remained uncomfortable with his country of birth, in no small part due to his homosexuality, which had marked him out for difference during his youth. He spent his final years in New York City, dying of cancer in 1991.

For the final six years of his life, Elliott lived with the American writer Whitfield Cook. The two men had been close for several years, although the exact nature of their relationship has been disputed. Cook was a widower from a heterosexual marriage, however his most notable works included the homoerotic Alfred Hitchcock film "Strangers on a Train". Cook cared for Elliott until his death.

Reviews

[Michael Burge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliott dwells in familiar territory here, fleshing out themes that were already well explored in the earlier Careful He Might Hear You, but don't be fooled - this journey is taken for one very important reason, which is to explore what might have happened in his family had he never been born. A fascinating topic for an author whose relatives provided so much material for his work.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is told in episodes that run into each other, but there are years-long gaps in the narratives for each of the characters in turn. This makes me lose emotional connection with them. Maybe that's the author's point as each of the 7 Lord children also lose their connection with each other and end up as strangers.

Some of the episodes are touching. I really enjoyed reading about Adnia, the club-footed religious nut, and the Greek sailor she briefly befriends. I also liked reading about Jess and the decision she takes at the beginning and the end of the book.

[Pammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written family tale set in Australia. Short but pithy. If you liked A Town Like Alice, you'll like this one. Maybe even better.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old favorite I just reread for the third time.