Grimmish is a 2021 experimental historical novel by Australian writer Michael Winkler. It was first published as a paperback original in January 2021 in Australia by Westbourne Books. The book is based on the tour of Australia in 1908–09 by boxer Joe Grim. It includes Grim's work as a sparring partner for both Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns prior to their Fight of the Century on Boxing Day 1908.
Grimmish was well received by Australian critics. It was named as a book of the year in The Guardian,[1] The Age[2] and Australian Book Review.[3]
JM Coetzee called it "The strangest book you are likely to read this year."[4]
In the USA, Thomas Hauser gave the book a mainly positive review and called it "a compelling impressionistic portrait".[5]
Critic and academic Emmett Stinson noted, "the self-reflexive and dialogic approach of the book, which – though interested in masculinity – has no interest in glorifying it. Grimmish is almost impossible to summarise. There are historical scenes depicting the brutality of Joe Grim’s fights. There are genuine intellectual engagements with Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault."[6]
In 2022, it was republished in Australia by publisher Puncher & Wattmann.[7] In 2023, it was published in the UK and US by Peninsula Press and Coach House Books, respectively.
Grimmish was shortlisted for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award.[8]
References
edit- ^ "The 25 best Australian books of 2021: Helen Garner, Alice Pung, Tony Birch and more". the Guardian. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ "Books we loved in 2021: Top authors reveal the best reads of the year". The Age. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ Cothren, Alex (2021-03-23). "Alex Cothren reviews 'Grimmish' by Michael Winkler". Australian Book Review. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ "Grimmish". www.michaelwinkler.com.au. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ Hauser, Thomas (2021-12-19). "Literary Notes: "Grimmish" (Book Review by Thomas Hauser)". The Sweet Science. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ Stinson, Emmett (22 June 2021). "The 'exploded non-fiction novel': Michael Winkler's Grimmish". Overland literary journal. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ Mem: 11108744. "Puncher & Wattmann acquires 'Grimmish' | Books+Publishing". Retrieved 2022-07-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Harmon, Steph (2022-06-23). "Miles Franklin 2022: shortlist revealed for Australia's prestigious literary prize". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
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