Lilian’s Story

Teacher Resource Essay

Publisher's synopsis

The heartwarming story of Lilian Singer, who starts life at the beginning of the twentieth century as the daughter of a prosperous middle-class Australian family and ends it as a cheerfully eccentric bag-lady living on the streets, quoting Shakespeare for a living. From Booker-shortlisted author Kate Grenville.

This is the story of Lilian Singer, born on ‘a wild night in the year of Federation’ into a stifling household which totally fails to subdue her. Madness, cruelty and sexuality permeate the household but Lilian’s sights are set on education, love and – finally – her own transcendent forms of independence.

Lilian Singer is, or becomes, that rare being: an eccentric true to her own self whose story reaches out to touch and delight the most discerning reader. She radiates energy and vitality through every page of this striking work. Lilian’s Story is the most loved and enduring of Kate Grenville’s fictional creations.

Awards

Winner 1984 The Australian/Vogel Literary Award

Other Recommended Titles

Tirra Lirra by the River

Miss Peabody’s Inheritance

It’s Raining in Mango

The Children’s Bach

Kate Grenville

Kate Grenville was born in Sydney and holds degrees from Sydney University and the University of Colorado. In 1984 her first book, a collection of stories – Bearded Ladies – was published. Her works of fiction have been published to acclaim in Australia and overseas and have won state and national awards and her books about the writing process are used in many writing courses in schools and universities. Much-loved novels such as Lilian’s Story (1985), Dark Places (1995) and Joan Makes History (1988) have become classics, admired by critics and general readers alike. The Secret River (2005), published in more than twenty countries, was awarded the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and was shortlisted for both the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Man Booker Prize. The Lieutenant was shortlisted for the New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australian Premiers’ Awards.The Idea of Perfection (2000) won the Orange Prize.

Further Details

Author Kate Grenville

Publisher Allen & Unwin

Date of Publication 1985

ISBN 9781741754902 (print)

Category Novels

SCIS number

5472462