The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

By: Thomas Keneally

Narrated by: Bruce Kerr

First title in the launch of Bolinda's Australian Classics series, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is an ongoing Australian literary classic, nominated for the Booker Prize and written by the multi-award-winning author, Thomas Keneally.

Jimmie Blacksmith is the son of an Aboriginal mother and a white father. A missionary shows him what it means to be white - already he is only too aware of what it means to be black. Exploited by his white employers and betrayed by his white wife, Jimmie cannot take any more. He must find a way to express his rage. The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is based on an actual incident that occurred at the turn of the century. Set against the background of a turbulent Australian history, Thomas Keneally records with clarity the chant of one troubled man.

©1973 Thomas Keneally (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Fantastic reading of classic Australian novel

It's taken me 25 years to get around to 'reading' this after most other Australian kids read it at school. It is well worth the wait! Whilst the first chapter is a little slow the pace quickens and soon you won't be able to stop. The reading is performed perfectly - Bruce Kerr nails the accents without a hint of mockery that often seems to appear when people attempt an aboriginal accent. His Irish and English accents are spot on too. Highly recommended!