Turtle Beach (1981) is a novel by Australian writer Blanche d'Alpuget. It was originally published by Penguin in Australia in 1981.[1]

Turtle Beach
AuthorBlanche d'Alpuget
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
GenreFiction
PublisherPenguin
Publication date
1981
Media typePrint
Pages286 pp.
ISBN0140057846
Preceded byMonkeys in the Dark 
Followed byRobert J. Hawke : A Biography 

Synopsis edit

Set in 1979 the novel follows an Australian journalist who is covering the arrival in Malaysia of ethnic Chinese fleeing oppression in post-war Vietnam.

Critical reception edit

Writing in The Canberra Times Alison Broinowski noted: "The Australian pilgrimage into Asia is what both of Blanche d'Alpuget's novels are about. In Turtle Beach, however, she goes further, into an exploration of the personality of individual Asians as well. Her Indian academic Kanan and her French-Vietnamese Minou are developed in more depth than most of her Australians. The clashes of culture are more effective because she gives both sides...Blanche d'Alpuget has written a novel whose humanity is above moralising and nationalism. It deserves a wide readership, Australian and Asian.[2]

Publication history edit

After its original publication in 1981 in Australia by publisher Penguin[3] the novel was later published as follows:

The novel was also translated into French in 1983, and Japanese in 1992.[1]

Awards edit

Film adaptation edit

The novel was adapted as a feature film of the same name in 1992 featuring Greta Scacchi and Jack Thompson. The film was directed by Stephen Wallace from a screenplay by Ann Turner.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Austlit — Turtle Beach by Blanche d'Alpuget (Penguin) 1981". Austlit. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  2. ^ ""Conflicts of cuklture and conscience"". The Canberra Times, 14 March 1981, p19. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Turtle Beach (Penguin, 1981)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Turtle Beach (S&S)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Turtle Beach (Penguin, 1991)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Austlit — Age Book of the Year — Imaginative Writing Prize 1981". Austlit. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. ^ "IMDB - Turtle Beach". IDMB. Retrieved 9 November 2023.