Henry Goes Bush

Henry Goes Bush by Wayne Marshall is a mad romp into the unknown, into unpredictable alternative worlds which look the same - almost. The novel is initially based on events that occurred in the life of Australian author and poet, Henry Lawson, in 1892 when he was sent to the outback city of Bourke by his editor to explore the outback and more importantly learn to control his alcohol intake. Then the author's imagination takes over inventing an almost wild west series of events that begin when Henry decides to explore a mysterious tunnel hidden in a back yard.

Like Alice in Alice in Wonderland Henry slides down the tunnel to discover that he has arrived not only in another version of Bourke but also another version of the people who live in the real world. He soon discovers that whenever there is an earthquake the entrance to the tunnel moves so consequently, during the novel, he encounters many aspects of the town and its people.

Henry Lawson was an alcoholic and the experiences in the book may reference Henry's mental state at the time. Who knows. Meanwhile the reader needs to just suspend belief and enjoy the adventure.

More about the real Henry Lawson:

Henry Lawson - Australian Dictionary of Biography

Henry Lawson: poet of the people -  State Library of New South Wales

Portrait of Australian poet Henry Lawson - National Archives of Australia 

About Henry Lawson - Henry Lawson Festival 

About Henry Lawson - Henry Lawson Society  

Henry Lawson - This is Australia

The Poet of Australia - National Library of Australia 

Book Reviews

Henry Goes Bush - Readings 

Henry Goes Bush - ANZ LitLovers 

Excerpt from Henry Lawson: a stranger on the Darling by Robyn Lee Burrows