Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Thomas Keneally (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 1983 | Series: A Lythway general novel

Half aborigine and half white, Jimmie Blacksmith is unable to fit into either culture and, after abuse and betrayal by whites, revolts in a spree of violence.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Keneally was born in Sydney Australia in 1935. He studied for the Catholic priesthood before he abandoned this vocation in 1960 and took up school teaching and writing. He is the author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction including Shindlers Ark which won the Booker Prize in 1982 and was made into the successful film Schindler's List. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Chivers Press; Large type edition edition (July 21, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850469481
• ISBN-13: 978-0850469486
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,653,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As fresh and trenchant as the day it was written., April 18, 2001

By 

Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith: The Classic Novel of an Aboriginal Torn Apart (Mass Market Paperback)

One would hope a book written about race relations thirty years ago would be irrelevant and possibly dated today. Unfortunately, Keneally's stunning indictment of turn-of-the-century racism, in this case that of Anglo settlers towards Australia's native aborigines, remains vibrant and powerful, even after these many years. Literally timeless in its message and articulate and graceful in its execution, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith could have been written about many minorities subjugated during many periods in many different countries.

The basic story is not unique. Half aborigine and half Anglo, Jimmie Blacksmith grows up in aborigine culture. Because he is light-skinned, however, he is able to obtain jobs on white landholdings more readily than other aborigines, and there he is exposed to Anglo culture--with all its stated, good intentions, but its sometimes patronizing attitudes and selfish goals. After being worked hard and cheated from his earnings repeatedly, Jimmie snaps, visiting on his former employers the kind of fatal "justice" which has so often been dealt to the aborigines. As vigilantes and police join forces to apprehend Jimmie, we see all the conflicting attitudes toward life and justice which undermine the creation of a unified, fair society.

The throbbing drumbeat of Jimmie's chants and Keneally's insistent narrative pace combine with our revulsion toward Jimmie's actions, to catch us up in the emotions of both the pursuers and the pursued. Our understanding of Jimmie and our empathy with him make us long for his redemption at the same time that we are anxious for justice to take place. Keneally's resolution is brilliant, fittingly combining the best elements of both of Jimmie's worlds. This is a wonderful novel which deals with a complex and sensitive subject without polemics or convenient, easy solutions, and it's as relevant today as it was when it was written. Mary Whipple

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stark and powerful, December 27, 2000

By 

Tinus Horn (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith: The Classic Novel of an Aboriginal Torn Apart (Mass Market Paperback)

This book tackles the tricky area of inter-racial violence bravely and with great skill. It paints a shocking picture of the Australia of 100 years ago, and particularly the plight of the aboriginal community. Keneally's economical style is perfectly suited to this dense narative; he makes every word count. One of the best books I've read this year.

4.0 out of 5 stars A pacey, powerful tale - with many themes, February 21, 2012

By 

Harry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (Paperback)

Poor Jimmie, caught up in a clash of cultures, poor choices and a spiral to doom. Both victim - of white society's abuse and contempt - and perpetrator - as an abuser of women (black and white). Set against a background of a nation finding itself through federation, trumpeting the glory/debacle of the Boer War while tolerating the cancer of racial tensions at home. Keneally hints at the intriguing contrast between two outlaws - with the nation embracing the heroic anti-establishment struggles of Ned Kelly and fearing the war declared by Jimmie Blacksmith/Governor. As a touch of irony, the only character to emerge with honour and reputation intact is the hangman.

A short story - graphic, without the gore - which races along to the expected (dreaded) conclusion, raising many themes for contemplation along the way.