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Sun on the Stubble
While his father preaches the virtues of hard work on the farm, Bruno manages to find all sorts of opportunities for mischief and adventure as he explores the community around him.
Bruno has to cope with his stern father, his mother and his family - but trickiest of all is the new teacher in town, who is too alert for comfort.
Bruno has to cope with his stern father, his mother and his family - but trickiest of all is the new teacher in town, who is too alert for comfort.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 3, 2019
This is my pick for the Classic From a Place you've Lived category of the 2019 Back to the Classics Challenge. It was challenging indeed, as there really aren't many choices. I've only ever lived in South Australia, which is a beautiful corner of the world, but hasn't an abundance of well known stories associated with it. I fell back on the great Colin Thiele, whose kids' and Y.A. novels have pleased generations of readers.
I chose this novel because of nostalgia. My Year 7 teacher, Mr Schwidder, read it to the class, and we used to all almost roll around on the floor laughing. With a German heritage himself, he would put on comic accents to suit the characters, especially 'Dad.' They were descendants of nineteenth century Germans who fled their homeland to escape religious persecution and have a fresh start in the new colony of South Australia. Several of my ancestors shared the same background, so the story was meaningful even back then.
Also, my older brother highly recommended it at the time, and he was no reader. He claimed it was the only novel that ever held his attention through to the finish, (and I'd be willing to bet that's still the case). That held great weight with me as a twelve-year-old.
So the story was published in 1961, but set in the 1930's or 40's. Bruno Gunther is the youngest son; a twelve-year-old who lives with his hard-working family on a farm in a fictional place called 'Nagapalee' which could be any small South Aussie bush town. Each chapter focuses on an episode around work, school, sport and social times. It starts off when Bruno brings a possum into the house to show off, and his prowess backfires on him when it panics and trashes the kitchen. But later, he's instrumental in helping catch a couple of dangerous crooks who have been stealing sheep and wood. There was no electricity in their house, although some city relatives had it. Bruno and his brother Victor shared a bedroom, and loved listening to their primitive old wireless with headphones. Adelaide is the nearest big city, and at the end, poor Bruno is on his way to attend boarding school there.
In some ways, its structure reminds me of an Aussie version of another classic I re-read not so long ago; Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy. There are some huge differences though, the main one being the characterisation of the two respective fathers. Almanzo's father, James Wilder, is one of those super-dads whose every word is taken by his respectful kids as an oracle. He was depicted as the true head of the family. But here we have Marcus Gunther, who is more of a Basil Fawlty clone, fiery, overbearing and totally reactive. The undignified and embarrassing things that happen to him is one of the book's biggest sources of mirth and delight. It would seem good old Tall Poppy syndrome has been a big feature of rural Australia for a long time.
Bruno himself is a very likable young hero, who loves to spend his spare time climbing trees after birds nests, hawk's nests and possum hollows. He also traps rabbits for a bit of pocket money. Well, my sons enjoyed similar quests at his age, but theirs were virtual reality, done in front of computer screens in their bedrooms. I know that's sort of sad, but there's no stopping progress, and each era has its own positive characteristics. I've no doubt Bruno and his brothers would have been sucked right into the online era, had they lived in the 21st century. Back then, it was surely, 'Come inside and do some work,' while now it's more like, 'Go outside and get some fresh air.' As a modern parent, I can't deny it, although I'd hate to come across as one of those pests who enjoy paying the younger generation out, because I'm really not that person. (Besides, they're referred to as 'Boomers', and I'm too young. I'm Gen X, thanks very much.) I can relate a bit to Emma Gunther, the mother in this novel, with her big heart and fearful imagination, always latching on to worst case scenarios. So one thing that never changes is the heart of a mother.
It was nice to return to this story for the first time since my tweenie years, because it reminded me how times have changed, and helped reacquaint me with the upper Primary kid that used to be me.
I chose this novel because of nostalgia. My Year 7 teacher, Mr Schwidder, read it to the class, and we used to all almost roll around on the floor laughing. With a German heritage himself, he would put on comic accents to suit the characters, especially 'Dad.' They were descendants of nineteenth century Germans who fled their homeland to escape religious persecution and have a fresh start in the new colony of South Australia. Several of my ancestors shared the same background, so the story was meaningful even back then.
Also, my older brother highly recommended it at the time, and he was no reader. He claimed it was the only novel that ever held his attention through to the finish, (and I'd be willing to bet that's still the case). That held great weight with me as a twelve-year-old.
So the story was published in 1961, but set in the 1930's or 40's. Bruno Gunther is the youngest son; a twelve-year-old who lives with his hard-working family on a farm in a fictional place called 'Nagapalee' which could be any small South Aussie bush town. Each chapter focuses on an episode around work, school, sport and social times. It starts off when Bruno brings a possum into the house to show off, and his prowess backfires on him when it panics and trashes the kitchen. But later, he's instrumental in helping catch a couple of dangerous crooks who have been stealing sheep and wood. There was no electricity in their house, although some city relatives had it. Bruno and his brother Victor shared a bedroom, and loved listening to their primitive old wireless with headphones. Adelaide is the nearest big city, and at the end, poor Bruno is on his way to attend boarding school there.
In some ways, its structure reminds me of an Aussie version of another classic I re-read not so long ago; Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy. There are some huge differences though, the main one being the characterisation of the two respective fathers. Almanzo's father, James Wilder, is one of those super-dads whose every word is taken by his respectful kids as an oracle. He was depicted as the true head of the family. But here we have Marcus Gunther, who is more of a Basil Fawlty clone, fiery, overbearing and totally reactive. The undignified and embarrassing things that happen to him is one of the book's biggest sources of mirth and delight. It would seem good old Tall Poppy syndrome has been a big feature of rural Australia for a long time.
Bruno himself is a very likable young hero, who loves to spend his spare time climbing trees after birds nests, hawk's nests and possum hollows. He also traps rabbits for a bit of pocket money. Well, my sons enjoyed similar quests at his age, but theirs were virtual reality, done in front of computer screens in their bedrooms. I know that's sort of sad, but there's no stopping progress, and each era has its own positive characteristics. I've no doubt Bruno and his brothers would have been sucked right into the online era, had they lived in the 21st century. Back then, it was surely, 'Come inside and do some work,' while now it's more like, 'Go outside and get some fresh air.' As a modern parent, I can't deny it, although I'd hate to come across as one of those pests who enjoy paying the younger generation out, because I'm really not that person. (Besides, they're referred to as 'Boomers', and I'm too young. I'm Gen X, thanks very much.) I can relate a bit to Emma Gunther, the mother in this novel, with her big heart and fearful imagination, always latching on to worst case scenarios. So one thing that never changes is the heart of a mother.
It was nice to return to this story for the first time since my tweenie years, because it reminded me how times have changed, and helped reacquaint me with the upper Primary kid that used to be me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 9, 2016I read this book in 1989, the year I spent on exchange in South Australia. I have wondered and wondered about it since then, asking countless people if they remembered the name of a book with a young protagonist who had funny initials. Finally an Aussie friend solved the mystery!
Such a delightful read.
Such a delightful read.
January 20, 2022
I loved this book.
My mum used to read it to me as a kid and my now partner is Colin Thiele's great nephew so I had to whip it back out again.
Honestly it is so good. It's written well. It full transforms you back into their time and you feel like you're running around with Bruno the whole time. I cried at the end when he went to boarding school. Leaving the farm felt like such a huge loss for him. His whole heart was there.
5/5 because it will always stay on my shelf and it can always be a book that's revisited because of its uniqueness and how warm it leaves you feeling while you read.
My mum used to read it to me as a kid and my now partner is Colin Thiele's great nephew so I had to whip it back out again.
Honestly it is so good. It's written well. It full transforms you back into their time and you feel like you're running around with Bruno the whole time. I cried at the end when he went to boarding school. Leaving the farm felt like such a huge loss for him. His whole heart was there.
5/5 because it will always stay on my shelf and it can always be a book that's revisited because of its uniqueness and how warm it leaves you feeling while you read.
August 14, 2016
This is a great little book from a bygone era of rural life in Australia. It's episodic format, adventure and humour would make it a fun read-aloud for 7-11 year olds. Reading it aloud would also give an opportunity to answer questions some young readers may have regarding the very different life the main character experienced.
January 9, 2016
Lots of laughter and some of the most gripping metaphors I have ever come across in two decades of reading aloud.
This has long been considered one of Australia's best books for young people, and I can understand why. My girls said it would have been much better without the prologue, though.
This has long been considered one of Australia's best books for young people, and I can understand why. My girls said it would have been much better without the prologue, though.
October 8, 2010
Sun on the Stubble by Colin Thiele (1996)
November 12, 2020
This was the first Australian novel I read and it was a revelation to me: I realised that a novel could be about people that I knew, about my extended family.
November 18, 2022
What a joy this book is! I picked up a 2nd edition from one of those roadside free book stands, it looks to be a school edition, complete with initials and underlining.
It is a classic boys-own tale of a young South Australian growing up in the country - Thiele is an Australian Mark Twain, mixing morality tales with laugh-out-loud humour. And boy, did I laugh out loud, particularly at the section where the culprits stealing from the woodpile were finally identified - in explosive fashion.
The traditional and familiar narrative elements are backed up by a fascinating insight into the early settlers in South Australia, primarily German speaking immigrants. Their language and culture are handled sensitively and with a good heart, allowing you to marvel at the father’s ingenuity one moment and giggle affectionately at his inanity the next. The community’s interactions and celebrations are detailed with an exactness that makes you sure the author knows of them first hand. A bright and colourful illustration of contemporary rural life.
Looks like I’ll have to pick up some more of Thiele’s children’s books. For my daughter, you understand. 😅
It is a classic boys-own tale of a young South Australian growing up in the country - Thiele is an Australian Mark Twain, mixing morality tales with laugh-out-loud humour. And boy, did I laugh out loud, particularly at the section where the culprits stealing from the woodpile were finally identified - in explosive fashion.
The traditional and familiar narrative elements are backed up by a fascinating insight into the early settlers in South Australia, primarily German speaking immigrants. Their language and culture are handled sensitively and with a good heart, allowing you to marvel at the father’s ingenuity one moment and giggle affectionately at his inanity the next. The community’s interactions and celebrations are detailed with an exactness that makes you sure the author knows of them first hand. A bright and colourful illustration of contemporary rural life.
Looks like I’ll have to pick up some more of Thiele’s children’s books. For my daughter, you understand. 😅
December 12, 2025
I looked forward to opening this book each evening, like visiting friends. there are aspects in this book that are hard to read so I can see that it may not be for everyone. As a descendant of German immigrant farmers myself I felt as though I may have had a slight glimpse into their world and maybe that was what captured me? That and having actually been to the very roads and places that Thiele grew up in and this book describes I felt a deep connection.
August 9, 2020
Again, maybe I read this about 50 years ago and several times since, as it was so enjoyable. It was also a mini series I believe, but a lot of the nuances were lost. A book for all ages, particularly if you hail from the Barossa Valley region.
October 18, 2024
I think if I'd read this book before living here for three years and soaking up the Australian sun, life, and geography, I'd have been lost. It's a fabulous glimpse into life Down Under from the 1940s.
July 20, 2019
An easy, interesting read of a time gone by. I loved how distinct each character was and the detail in each episode described.
August 31, 2022
A classic with special significance for Kylie, Michele, Susan & I
Rocko circa 1995
Rocko circa 1995
June 24, 2023
After all these years, this is still one of my favourite novels.
September 17, 2013
Good for a giggle - an Australia that has long gone. This was essentially written for children but it is good to read and remember some of this type of writing and see it from an adult's perspective. The outcomes of many of the tales are totally predictable and it is the anticipation of the outcome that makes it enjoyable. Then when the point is made Thiele just stops that tale and moves to the next. I particularly enjoyed the possum story - many memories triggered there!
February 20, 2015
Have loved this book since it was read aloud by my grade 5 teacher all those years ago at my country primary school. We would all collapse on the dusty, worn rug after lunch and Mr G would lick his finger and turn the page, beginning another chapter in the lives of Bugsy and Aunt Lottie. He invoke a German accent for the Barossans and spit would fly during exciting passages. This book will always be special to me.
January 6, 2017
This was such a lovely evocation of Australian farm life in the 1960s, and the perfect book to enjoy over a beer or two in the backyard. The episodes are delightfully funny and charming and capture a world long gone: of sputtering old automobiles, sausage-making, rabbit-trapping, 'tin-kettling' (a curiously country alcohol-soaked ritual for newlyweds), sheep stealers and wayward possums. Rollicking good fun.
October 23, 2010
Follow the great life of Bruno!!
July 14, 2012
Absolutely brilliant .. I've read it several times.
September 24, 2023
Ahhh… possums - grrr!
December 31, 2021
I read this book in school and am reading it again. I really love this story and maybe because it's really nostalgic.
October 6, 2011
Best read out loud at the kitchen table.
May 28, 2019
Blasphemy
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews