We of the Never Never

By Jeannie Gunn

Book Overview

We of the Never Never (1908) is an autobiographical novel by Jeannie Gunn. Based on her experience accompanying her husband Aeneas to the remote cattle station of Elsey, Gunn's novel is a fascinating masterpiece of Australian literature that explores the landscape of the continent's Northern Territory while depicting the tense relationship between white settlers and the Aboriginal people they displaced. Sympathetic and utterly human, Gunn's voice is a testament to her bravery as the first woman to settle in the Mataranka area, where she lived for just over a year until her husband's tragic death from malaria. "To begin somewhere near the beginning, the Măluka--better known at that time as the new Boss for the Elsey--and I, his 'missus, ' were at Darwin, in the Northern Territory, waiting for the train that was to take us just as far as it could--one hundred and fifty miles--on our way to the Never-Never. It was out of town just then, up-country somewhere, billabonging in true bush-whacker style, but was expected to return in a day or two, when it would be at our service." Determined to follow her husband wherever he goes, "little Missus" braves the harsh trek to the distant cattle station where he has been appointed overseer. Over hundreds of miles on horseback, they observe for the first time the natural beauty of some of the wildest landscapes on Earth. Although the local cattle drovers are initially wary of her presence, the narrator proves herself as a courageous and hardworking woman, a friend of settlers and Aboriginal people alike. This edition of Jeannie Gunn's We of the Never Never is a classic work of Australian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513134205
• ISBN13: 9781513134208
• Release Date: February 2022
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

We of the Never Never

This is the story of a young bride who goes with her husband to the "Elsey", an outpost ranch located in the Northern Territory of Australia. This book is set in the late 1890s. The life she finds there, and the people, are engaging and fascinating. The burdens and joys she shoulders as she learns outback methods and manners truly hold your interest completely. It is a story of a time and place that few know anything about. This is an Australian classic and will hold the reader's attention. You will race through this one to find out what happens and what does happen will make you both happy and sad.

Best Book on our shelf

We have a library of books to help us understand what we can do to best understand and stimulate our childs growth/development(i.e.- What to expect series, Brazleton, Baby book, etc). This is my favorite book since it covers what to expect each month (vs. grouping 6-9 mos developmental stage). In addition it has great ideas for games and play and is very easy to read. Only warning is that relative to other books this book generally is a bit aggressive in its projected milestones (assumes baby will crawl at 6 mos).

Great ideas for parents

I admit that I'm not the most creative person at coming up with games to play with my 10 week old son, and this book has been inspirational for me. The ideas about how to teach your baby about where his foot is, or how to sit up, or that bubble float, are terrific, and the look on his face when I do something the book recommends is just pure joy! My only recommendation is that you stay at least one month ahead, and do things from that month which you think your child is ready for.