The Brimming Billabong is a 1948 Australian book by William Edward Harney about an Aboriginal man, Marmel, from Arnhem Land.[1][2][3]
According to the Canberra Times "It is... a significant and worthwhile book... Harney failed, as most others have done, to state an aborigine's thoughts, feelings and viewpoint in English. He gets only part of the way, but even this is a major achievement in a most difficult field."[4]
The Argus said "Only an anthropologist could say with certainty whether he paints a true picture of the aboriginal mind, but this is a book of absorbing interest."[5]
The Bulletin wrote "The aboriginal, named Marmel, who is supposed to tell the story in his own words, does not talk like an aboriginal, nor yet like a white man, but like a book ; and a poor book at that —an old-fashibned book, loaded with stale romantic cliches."[6]
The Sun called it "a human story, simply and convincingly told."[7]
In the 1950s Lee Robinson tried to interest directo Harry Watt in making a film of the book.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Book Reviews". The Newcastle Sun. No. 9434. New South Wales, Australia. 27 March 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BUSHMAN-AUTHOR FINDS IT'S MORE HUMAN "UP NORTH"". Northern Times. Vol. 69, no. 40. Western Australia. 10 October 1947. p. 1 (MODERN WEEKLY News Magazine). Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Twilight of a Native Race". The Age. No. 28, 991. Victoria, Australia. 27 March 1948. p. 5 (FINAL EDITION). Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "SPOKESMAN FOR THE ABORIGINES". The Canberra Times. Vol. 37, no. 10, 492. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 March 1963. p. 19. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "NEW NOVELS BAITING THE CELT". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 685. Victoria, Australia. 20 March 1948. p. 22. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""Brimming Billabongs."", The Bulletin., Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 28 April 1948, nla.obj-552635219, retrieved 30 July 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "A few books to read". The Sun. No. 11, 932. New South Wales, Australia. 24 April 1948. p. 4 (FINAL FOOTBALL LAST RACE). Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Robinson, Lee (15 August 1976). "Lee Robinson" (Oral history). Interviewed by Graham Shirley. National Film and Sound Archive.