The Bamboo Flute

The Bamboo Flute
First edition
AuthorGarry Disher
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's novel
Published1992 (Angus & Robertson)
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages88
ISBN0395665957
OCLC27186376

The Bamboo Flute is a 1992 children's novel by Garry Disher.[1] Set during the depression, it is about a boy who is taught by a swagman to make and play a bamboo flute.

Reception

In a review of The Bamboo Flute, Booklist wrote "The author's thesis—aesthetic beauty is a basic need, especially during times of extreme hardship—will not escape the notice of young audiences, and the frequent touches of local color make this a fine choice for reading aloud and for classes studying Australia."[2] Kirkus Reviews described it as "a beautifully written novella" that is "Brief and easily read, a powerfully realized moment in Australia's past."[3] Publishers Weekly wrote "From its exquisite opening line ("There was once music in our lives, but I can feel it slipping away") to the moving finale, this elegantly delineated tale never strikes a false note." and "Disher's spare, evocative, emotionally charged coming-of-age story is reminiscent in style to the work of Paul Fleischman, but his voice is wholly his own, musical and haunting."[4]

It received the 1993 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers Award,[5] and a 1994 International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Australia honour.[6]

References

  1. ^ National Library of Australia - The Bamboo Flute by Garry Disher
  2. ^ "The bamboo flute". Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  3. ^ "The Bamboo Flute". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. 15 July 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  4. ^ "The Bamboo Flute". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. 30 August 1993. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  5. ^ "CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers Winners 1982 to present". Literary Awards Australia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  6. ^ IBBY Australia - Honour List
Library holdings of The Bamboo Flute