On Longing

by Blanche d'Alpuget

Part of a series that pairs leading Australian thinkers and cultural figures with important themes in life, this moving tribute to the author’s muse-turned-husband, the former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, this revealing essay will both surprise and touch readers with its honesty. Intimate and revealing, this meditation examines the creative tension between writing and love.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Blanche d’Alpuget has returned to fiction with the publication of ‘The Young Lion’, the first novel in a compelling new series about the House of Plantagenet, the mightiest royal dynasty in English history.

An acclaimed novelist, biographer and essayist Blanche has won numerous literary awards including the prestigious Australasian Prize for Commonwealth Literature in 1987. Her previous novels include Monkeys in the Dark (1980); Turtle Beach (1981) which won the Age book award in 1981; Winter in Jerusalem (1986) and White Eye (1993). Turtle Beach became a successful feature film in 1992 and all her novels have been translated into other languages. Her non-fiction books include Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby (1977) and Robert J Hawke: a biography (1982). Her essays include Lust (1993) and On Longing (2008).

Reviews

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of "little books with big themes" sees Blanche spend the book banging on about her relationship with former PM Bob.
Didn't really excite me that much, as the theme of "longing" was I guess told through her story but it could have conveyed a few other themes as well, and the longing one just felt part of a tapestry, and not the main theme of the book.

[Heidi Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little book. It was an interesting quick read for laying on the beach in the sun. Blanche has a lovely, expressive way with words.