This first book by K. Langloh Parker is still one of the best available collections of Australian Aboriginal folklore. It was written for a popular audience, but the stories are retold with integrity, and not filtered, as was the case with similar books from this period. That said, the style of this book reflects Victorian sentimentality and, an occasional tinge of racism that may not sit well with some modern readers. Katie Langloh Parker [1856-1940] lived in the Australian outback most of her life, close to the Eulayhi ...
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This first book by K. Langloh Parker is still one of the best available collections of Australian Aboriginal folklore. It was written for a popular audience, but the stories are retold with integrity, and not filtered, as was the case with similar books from this period. That said, the style of this book reflects Victorian sentimentality and, an occasional tinge of racism that may not sit well with some modern readers. Katie Langloh Parker [1856-1940] lived in the Australian outback most of her life, close to the Eulayhi people. The texts, with their sentient animals and mythic transformations, have a somnambulistic and chaotic narrative that mark them as authentic dreamtime lore. The mere fact that she cared to write down these stories places her far ahead of her contemporaries, who, at the time, barely regarded native Australians as human. However, children will find here the Jungle Book of Australia, but there is no Mowgli, set apart as a man. For man, bird, and beast are all blended in the Aboriginal psyche. All are of one kindred, all shade into each other; all obey the Bush Law. Unlike any European M???rchen, these stories do not have the dramatic turns of Western folk-lore. There are no distinctions of wealth and rank, no Cinderella nor a Puss in Boots. The struggle for food and water is the perpetual theme, and no wonder, for the narrators dwell in a dry and thirsty land. Parker has some odd connections with modern popular culture. She was rescued from drowning by an aborigine at an early age. This incident was portrayed in the film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'. The song They Call the Wind Mariah was based on a story from this book and the pop singer Mariah Cary was reputedly named after this song. 33% of the net profit from this book will be donated to charities for educational purposes. Yesterday's Books for Tomorrow's Educations
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Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $9.00, good condition, Sold by Top Notch Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tolar, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1968 by The Viking Press.
Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $10.00, good condition, Sold by Princeton Antiques Bookservice rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Atlantic City, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1968 by VIKING PRESS.
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Seller's Description:
ELIZABETH DURACK. GOOD. JACKET: TORN DJ. 6 X 9. Dj has chipped corners, rubbed cover, sticker remnants on cover, creased, and few closed tears. General shelf wera, and small bookplate on inner board. _PAB_
Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $15.03, very good condition, Sold by Goldstone Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ammanford, CARMS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2002 by Merchant Book Company Limited.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $30.00, very good condition, Sold by Amber Wave rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Saratoga Springs, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1963 by Angus & Robertson.
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Seller's Description:
Durack, Elizabeth. Very Good in Good jacket. Book A very good copy, with some slight staining on the corners of a few pages, but the rest of the book is clean and tight. The original dustjacket is chipped and worn along the edges, but clean with a mylar cover. Great book of aboriginal tales faithfully recorded by K. Langloh Parker with wonderful illustrations by Elizabeth Durack.
Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $39.01, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by IndyPublish.
Add this copy of Australian Legendary Tales to cart. $46.96, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by BiblioBazaar.
