Synopses & Reviews
Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, 1987
Winner of the Ethel Turner Prize, 1986
Hailed as an Australian Huckleberry Finn, The True Story of Spit MacPhee is a timeless piece of literature. Originally published in 1986, and set in the 1930s in the fictional Murray River town of St Helen, it captures a time and place with a beautiful balance of realism and nostalgia.
When young Spit MacPhee comes to live with his grandfather, the people of St Helen fear for his future. Fyfe MacPhee is a crazy old man, and barefoot Spit has to fend for himself along the riverbank where they live. While some people feel that Spit can look after himself, others believe he'd be better cared for in a boys' home.
When Fyfe MacPhee dies, Spit becomes the subject of a court case that polarizes the town. But young Spit is a strong and resolute character, and can more than look after himself. When the truth about his life with his grandfather is revealed, no one is left unchanged. The True Story of Spit MacPhee is a much-loved, quintessentially Australian novel for readers of all ages.
James Aldridge was a multi-award winning Australian author. His 1995 novel The True Story of Lilli Stubeck was the Children's Book Council book of the year. His novel A Sporting Proposition became the 1975 Disney film Ride a Wild Pony. Spit MacPhee was adapted into a TV mini-series in 1988. James Aldridge died in early 2015.
Synopsis
Hailed as Australia's Huckleberry Finn, this classic captures a time and place with a beautiful balance of realism and nostalgia.
About the Author
James Aldridge: Harold Edward James Aldridge is a multi-award winning Australian author and journalist. In 1995 his THE TRUE STORY OF LILLI STUBECK won the Children's Book Council 'Book of the Year'. His 1973 novel A SPORTING PROPOSITION was adapted for the 1975 Disney film 'Ride a Wild Pony'. He lives in London.
Phillip Gwynne: PHILLIP GWYNNE was born in 1958. He has written more than twenty books for young adults and children including his debut novel DEADLY, UNNA? which was the 1998 Childrens Book Council of Australias 'Book of the Year' and sold more than 250,000 copies. Phillip lives in Bali.