In 2009, my book Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836-1939 was published by Picador in Australia. It tells the stories of eleven famous writers who visited Australia between 1836 and 1939, showing what they saw and did while here, what they thought of us and what we thought of them, and how each visit inspired various works of literature. From Charles Darwin to H.G. Wells, Anthony Trollope to Agatha Christie, this is a book that will reveal things about Australia that you never knew. It had fabulous reviews, but sadly it has been out of print for a few years, although you have been able to buy an e-version. However, I now have a big supply of gorgeous new copies, all ready as excellent Christmas presents for the readers you love. Many men have told me how much they enjoyed the book and what a lot they learned from reading it, so it does make a good gift for those men who are often tricky to find presents for.
What happened to Darwin on Mt Wellington that nearly put an end to his existence? Do you know why Robert Louis Stevenson’s chair sits today in a Sydney club? Why did Aussies pray that the ship carrying Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to our shores might sink before arrival? What did Mark Twain have to say about the different rail gauges then common between Australian states? What did H.G. Wells experience when he was in Canberra? You can find all these answers in my book.
It’s not too late to consider starting your Christmas shopping. You can order it right here now for $45, including postage, and I will sign and inscribe it as you wish. I am very proud of this book and delighted that copies are now available again.
Recently, I joined Suzanne Hill on ABC Nightlife to talk about H.G. Wells’ extraordinary life and work, with particular attention to The Invisible Man. If you would like to know more about this fascinating and often controversial man, you can listen to our conversation here.
You can order Brief Encounters right here now for $45.00, including postage, and I will sign and inscribe it as you wish. I am very proud of this book and delighted that copies are now available again. I’ll also throw in my downloadable 24-page flipbook: H.G. Wells and The Invisible Man (normally retailing for $3.00) totally FREE.
PURCHASE HERE
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