Gallows on the Sand is a 1956 novel by Morris West. It was the first novel he published under his own name.[1] He later claimed it was written in seven days for $250 in order to pay a tax bill after he had had a nervous breakdown. West credited the book as launching his career as a novelist.[2][3] However a later review of the author's career dismissed it as a "potboiler".[4]
 1963 edition | |
| Author | Morris West |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Angus and Robertson |
Publication date | 1956 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 207pp |
| Preceded by | - |
| Followed by | Kundu |
It was serialised for radio.[5]
The book was re-released in 1963 as part of Angus and Robertson's Pacific Book series.[6]
Premise edit
Historican Renn Lundigan hunts for treasure off the Great Barrier Reef. The treasure is minted Spanish gold in a sunken galleon. Renn has to deal with islander Johnny Akimoto, gambling house owner Manny Mannix and beautiful young scientist Pat Mitchell.
Reception edit
The Argus said "in spite of a tendency to the rather slick "Randy Stone" radio style, it is a bright, exciting yarn, guaranteed to take your mind off workaday cares. "[5]
The Pacific Islands Monthly called it "a buried treasure trifle."[7]
The same magazine later said it was "one of the first novels written by this world wide, best-seller author and long before he found his metier in the by-ways of Roman Catholicism," adding the book "only goes to prove how far a novelist with what it takes can travel in seven years. "[8]
Radio adaptation edit
The novel was serialised for radio in 1956 by West himself. It aired Monday to Thursday (beginning February 14) at 6.45 p.m.[9]
External links edit
- Gallows on the Sand at AustLit
References edit
- ^ "Advertising". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 26 May 1956. p. 35. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "WRITERS' WORLD". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 August 1983. p. 12. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ Jones, Jerene (December 6, 1976). "Morris West Has One Literary Objective: Hold That Reader". People.
- ^ Missen, Mollie (February 20, 1993). "A master storyteller signs off". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 44.
- ^ a b "NOVELS." The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 24 March 1956. p. 14. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "NEW TITLES IN PACIFIC BOOK SERIES". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 August 1963. p. 23. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Two Novels of Note identifier". Pacific Islands Monthly. August 1963. p. 97.
- ^ "Best Of The Paperbacks". Pacific Islands Monthly. December 1963. p. 94.
- ^ "New novel to be evening serial", ABC Weekly, 18 (6), Sydney, 11 February 1956, retrieved 13 December 2023 – via Trove
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