Thorskald

by Tony Morphett

378 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Tony Morphett was one of Australia’s leading television script writers. In addition to his television career, he wrote several stage plays and a collection of addresses about his Christian faith titled A Hole in My Ceiling (1985). His six published novels included two for young adults, including Quest Beyond Time (1985), which was adapted for television .

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly written (but almost unheard of) book written by Tony Morphett.
Strongly evocative of Australia during the period, the story begins with the first posthumous exhibition of Thorskald's paintings. The point of view of the book changes throughout to allow a greater understanding of the subject, the life and times of artist William Thorskald.

I am always placing this book on 'my favorite reads' lists, and was attracted to the book before I could even walk, let alone read, due to the distinctive oil painting by Albert Tucker, from his Images of Modern Evil series.

This book was originally released under the title of 'Fitzgerald', but due to litigation was successfully withdrawn from publication and all copies pulped. All copies that is, except the few available in the reading rooms of such wonderful places as the State Library of Victoria.

Morphett is better known to the Australian audience as the bloke who created or co-created many Australian television series, including: Dynasty, Certain Women, Sky Trackers, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Above the Law, Rain Shadow, and not forgetting the 1985 classic kids tv, Quest Beyond Time.

Pedants and bibliophiles may be amused to find out that the only difference between the novel 'Fitzgerald' and the novel 'Thorskald' is that the name 'Fitzgerald' has been replaced with 'Thorskald' throughout the book.

[Lisa Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can barely remember and yet the book had remained with me ever since. I'm always careful not 'to take away the wave'.