The Long Shadow (Cleary novel)
 First edition | |
| Author | Jon Cleary |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Publisher | Invincible Press |
Publication date | 1949 |
| Publication place | Australia |
The Long Shadow is a 1949 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary.[1]
Cleary had just written his debut work, You Can't See 'Round Corners and was unsure what to do as a follow-up. His editor Graham Greene suggested he try his hand at a thriller "because it will teach you the art of narrative and it will teach you the uses of brevity."[2]
Plot
[edit]The plot revolves around Martin Brown, an educated man who is living as a swagman. He is falsely accused of murder of a woman called Ruth Taylor, and is pursued through the Australian countryside by police and other men. He falls in love with a woman who believes his innocence.[3]
Reception
[edit]Reviews were not as strong as that for Cleary's first novel.[4][5]
Proposed film
[edit]Reportedly Paramount were interested in the film rights in 1946.[6]
In 1968 it was announced that a movie version was to be made starring Rod Taylor for Ajax Films from a script by James Workman but no film resulted.[7][8][9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Long Shadow by Jon Cleary". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Jon Cleary interview, The Book Show - Radio National, 26 February 2006
- ^ "SOME NEW FICTION". The Examiner. Launceston, Tasmania. 7 January 1950. p. 12. Retrieved 6 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "New interpreters of Australasian scene". The Argus. Melbourne. 28 January 1950. p. 12. Retrieved 6 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "SOME NEW FICTION". The Examiner. Launceston, Tasmania. 7 January 1950. p. 12. Retrieved 18 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CLEARY HEARD NEWS IN LONDON". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 014. New South Wales, Australia. 28 December 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 2 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Jon Cleary Interviewed by Stephen Vagg: Oral History at National Film and Sound Archive
- ^ 'Rod Taylor weighs offers for 5 Pix in Native Land', Variety, 21 Nov 1968
- ^ "LEISURE THE ARTS US visitor sees big film future for us". The Canberra Times. 14 December 1967. p. 30. Retrieved 18 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Hall, Sandra (15 February 1969). "Who's filming what". The Bulletin. p. 42.
See also
[edit]- The Long Shadow at AustLit (subscription required)
- 1949 in Australian literature
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