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The Drowner
Book by Robert Drewe From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Drowner (1996) is a novel by Australian author Robert Drewe.[1]
It was shortlisted for Miles Franklin Award, and won the Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction and New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Book of the Year in 1997.
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Plot summary
In the late 19th century an Englishman irrigator or "drowner", Will Dance, utilises ancient water-knowledge and modern technology to save a drought-ridden town in Western Australia.
Reviews
- Publishers' Weekly noted: "The desert mining town,..., comes fully to life, invigorated by crisp and moving portrayals of Drewe's minor characters and the monotonous beauty of the hostile (blessedly arid) countryside."[2]
- Garth Crawford in Woroni stated: "In his mastery of image, and spare but beautiful descriptions of this quest, Drewe reveals his strongest claim to pre-eminence. The Drowner is by an author who enjoys words, weighs and places each without mistaking linguistic asceticism for aestheticism."[3]
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Awards and nominations
- 1997 winner New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Christina Stead Prize for Fiction[4]
- 1997 winner New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Book of the Year[4]
- 1997 shortlisted Commonwealth Writer's Prize — South East Asia and South Pacific Region - Best First Novel
- 1997 winner Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction[5]
- 1998 winner Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature[6]
- 1998 winner Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature — Premier's Award for the Best Overall Published Work[6]
Notes
A film adaptation of the novel was reportedly arranging funding in 2010,[7] and was in pre-production in 2013. It was to be directed by Jeff Darling from a screenplay by Justin Monjo, and produced by Michael Boughen and Matthew Street and production company Ambience Entertainment.
References
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