| Dig | |
| Author: | Frank Clune |
| Country: | Australia |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | Burke and Wills Expedition |
| Genre: | non-fiction |
| Pub Date: | 1937 |
Dig is a 1937 non-fiction book about the Burke and Wills Expedition by Frank Clune.[1] [2]
It was one of Clune's best known and most popular works.
The book was also known as Dig: a drama of central Australia.
The Sun said "Mr. Clune is a brusque and breezy writer, not to be counted among the higher stylists; but he adopts bold views, and in this volume he is so vehement a champion for Robert O'Hara Burke, and opens out with such healthy rage against William Wright (who let Burke down), that he will sweep the popular reader along with him."[3]
The Sydney Morning Herald wrote "The vividness of this narrative is, if anything, increased by the curiously naive style of the author; provided he is keeping to simplicity, he greatly enhances the value of the story. It is only when he indulges in the embroideries sometimes, unfortunately, characteristic of the 'desert' school of writers, that the sincerity of the scenes is spoiled."[4]
The Australian Woman's Mirror said it was "Written in the simple, easy style characteristic of this author's other works, yet skilfully conveying the poignant tragedy of these exploration pioneers. An excellent book for Australian and overseas readers."
The Bulletin claimed "Clune has made of his drama something of melodrama, but it is an absorbing narrative, nevertheless, illuminated by those touches of humorous devilment that Clune injects into all his work. He merits thanks for everything except for printing Gordon's banal verses at the end. "
The book was supposedly the basis for the 1952 radio play The Explorers.[5]