523. Voss

Voss
Patrick White
1957
Around 450 pages

That book required a lot of pages to tell me what I already know: Australia doesn't want you there.

Our main character, Voss, is based on the real life explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who disappeared while on expedition in the 19th century. Voss sets out to cross Australia with a party of settlers and Aborigines, but still maintains a strong connection with Laura, whose uncle is the patron of the expedition. Um, it doesn't go well.

You would think this story would be a lot more adventurous and exciting than it turned out. I guess this novel is less concerned with our physical plane and more interested in exploring the metaphysical and religious side of things. I don't have a lot of patience with characters experiencing strange visions and I was disappointed we didn't get more action packed sequences.

Still, it's always nice to hear from Down Under, since Australian writers are rare on this List.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Listed among the top 100 greatest novels written in English by the Guardian.

Plans to film a movie adaptation, starring Mia Farrow and Donald Sutherland, fell through.

UP NEXT: Jealousy by Alain Robbe-Grillet