The Beckoning Shore Explained

The Beckoning Shore
Author:E. V. Timms
Country:Australia
Language:English
Series:Great South Land Saga
Publisher:Angus and Robertson
Release Date:1950
Preceded By:The Pathway of the Sun
Followed By:The Valleys Beyond

The Beckoning Shore is a 1950 novel by E. V. Timms. It was the third in his Great South Land Saga of Australian historical novels, and shifts the action to New South Wales.

It was popular, selling 10,000 copies within its first year.[1]

Premise

"How the ship Pride of Liverpool became a derelict from which only two of the company were saved, one being the girl Elizabeth Holley, about whom the novel revolves."[2]

Reception

The Age said "The entertaining story swings along, a happy way to discuss the convict system and its various unsavory off- shoots and the efforts to control these evils. Occasionally, seeming to be steeped in history, the author halts the narrative to add a slab that holds up the movement for a short space."[3]

The Australian Woman's Mirror said "As ever, Mr. Timms sets his characters against an authentically historic background, in which convictism and its related sordid evils are contrasted with the high ideals of the visionaries and the gaiety of the society of that era. "

The Bulletin said "Taken at its highest level, the book is a prettv thin story superimposed on pretty thick history; but its total effect is of a very lively picture of Sydney in the days of Governor Bourke."

Radio adaptations

The novel was serialised for radio in 1951, with Peter Woodruff reading out sections of the novel over fifteen minute episodes.

The novel was dramatised again for radio in 1953.[4] These episodes went for one hour. The adaptation was done by Kathleen Carroll who had also adapted Timm's The Pathway of the Sun for radio.

Cast of 1953 production

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Life and Letters. . . Perth . 30 August 1952 . 15 October 2014 . 24 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Sydney History . . 66 . 20,086 . Western Australia . 2 December 1950 . 10 March 2024 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: RECENT FICTION . . 29,905 . Victoria, Australia . 3 March 1951 . 10 March 2024 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Four New Drama Serials on UZ . . 30,732 . Victoria, Australia . 29 October 1953 . 10 March 2024 . 1 ("THE AGE" RADIO SUPPLEMENT) . National Library of Australia.