Description
“Riders in the Chariot” is a novel written by Australian author Patrick White, published in 1961. It is one of White’s most acclaimed works and is considered a classic of Australian literature.
The novel tells the story of four characters from different backgrounds and social classes whose lives intersect in the fictional Australian town of Sarsaparilla. The four main characters are:
1. Mrs. Godbold, an eccentric old woman who claims to have visions of Jesus Christ.
2. Alf Dubbo, an Aboriginal artist who faces discrimination and struggles to find his place in white Australian society.
3. Mordecai Himmelfarb, a Jewish refugee who survived the Holocaust and works as a cobbler.
4. Mary Hare, a lonely spinster who works as a governess and longs for connection and meaning in her life.
As their lives become intertwined, the characters grapple with themes of identity, faith, prejudice, and redemption. Through their experiences, White explores the complexities of Australian society and the search for spiritual and moral truth in a changing world.
“Riders in the Chariot” is praised for its richly drawn characters, lyrical prose, and profound exploration of human suffering and resilience. It won the Miles Franklin Award, one of Australia’s most prestigious literary prizes, in 1961, solidifying White’s reputation as one of Australia’s greatest writers.
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