When I was King and Other Verses
Enriched edition. Poetry collection capturing the essence of Australian bush life and nostalgiaBy Henry Lawson
Length4h 11m
About this audiobook
In "When I was King and Other Verses," Henry Lawson presents a poignant collection of poems and narratives that encapsulate the spirit of Australia during the late 19th and early 20th century. Lawson's literary style is characterized by vivid imagery and colloquial language, seamlessly weaving themes of identity, social justice, and the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape. The verses reflect a keen awareness of the struggles faced by the working class, as well as the aspirations and frustrations of a nation seeking its place in the world, establishing an important context in the development of Australian literature and identity. Henry Lawson, often heralded as one of Australia's greatest writers, was deeply influenced by his experiences growing up in a rural setting and the harsh realities faced by many Australians. His commitment to portraying the everyday life and struggles of the common person informed not only his poetry but also his short stories and journalism. In a time when Australia was shaping its national identity, Lawson's works served as a powerful voice for his contemporaries and the generations that followed. Recommended for readers interested in Australian literature, social commentary, and poetic expression, "When I was King and Other Verses" invites reflection on the enduring themes of resilience and aspiration. Lawson's masterful storytelling offers a unique lens through which to appreciate both the cultural and historical landscapes of Australia, making this collection a vital addition to any literary library.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
GenrePoetry
Length4 hrs 11 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 9, 2021
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
43A Voice from the City
2Introduction
44To-Morrow
3Historical Context
45The Light on the Wreck
4Synopsis (Selection)
46The Secret Whisky Cure
5The Cross-Roads
47The Alleys
Show all chaptersShow less
6When I was King
48The Scamps
7The Author’s Farewell to the Bushmen
49Break o’ Day
8From the Bush
50The Women of the Town
9Heed Not
51The Afterglow
10The Bush Girl
52Written Out
11‘G.S.,’ or the Fourth Cook
53New Life, New Love
12Jack Cornstalk
54The King and Queen and I
13The Men Who Made Australia
55To Hannah
14The Bulletin Hotel
56The Water Lily
15‘Sacred to the Memory of “Unknown”
57Barta
16The Shearers
58To Jim
17‘Knocking Around’
59The Drunkard’s Vision
18The Shearer’s Dream
60In the Storm That is to Come
19The Never-Never Country
61Australian Engineers
20With Dickens
62The Drovers
21The Things We Dare Not Tell
63Those Foreign Engineers
22The Drums of Battersea
64Skaal
23As Far as Your Rifles Cover
65The Firing-Line
24Gipsy Too
66Riding Round the Lines
25The Wander-Light
67When the Bear Comes Back Again
26Genoa
68The Little Czar
27The Tracks That Lie by India
69The Vanguard
28Say Good-Bye When Your Chum is Married
70And the Bairns Will Come
29The Separation
71The Heart of Australia
30Ruth
72The Good Samaritan
31The Cliffs
73Will Yer Write It Down for Me?
32Bourke
74Andy’s Return
33The Stringy-Bark Tree
75Pigeon Toes
34The Bush Fire
76On the Wallaby
35The Bill of the Ages
77The Brass Well
36Waratah and Wattle
78Eureka
37My Land and I
79The Last Review
38The Men Who Live It Down
80As Good as New
39When Your Pants Begin to Go
81THE END
40Robbie’s Statue
82Analysis
41The Ballad of the Elder Son
83Reflection
42The Pride That Comes After
84Memorable Quotes
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