Cosmo Cosmolino
 First edition | |
| Author | Helen Garner |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | McPhee Gribble |
Publication date | 1992 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 221 |
| ISBN | 0747513449 |
| Preceded by | Postcards from Surfers (1985) |
| Followed by | The First Stone (1994) |
Cosmo Cosmolino is a 1992 book by Australian writer Helen Garner.[1] The book consists of three linked works: two short stories and a novella, though the author and critics have described it as a novel.[2]
It was first published in Australia by McPhee Gribble[3] and was shortlisted for the 1993 Miles Franklin Award.[4] It has been reported that the novel's title is Garner's favourite, and came to her in a dream.[5]
Short stories
[edit]In the first short story "Recording Angel", a woman goes to a hospital to see a gravely ill friend.[6] In the second short story "A Vigil", a man is forced to see the cremation of his girlfriend who suicided.[6]
Novella
[edit]In the novella that gives the name to the book, freelance writer Janet owns a terrace house in Melbourne. The house was previously inhabited by a communal household.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]The novel was critically well received.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "NLA Trove – Cosmo Cosmolino – Helen Garner". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Ramona Koval (21 April 2012). "Rewind to Ms Garner's angels: Spiritual belief and Melbourne trams provide rich motifs in the author's 1992 novel". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ Arnold, John (1 February 2005). John Arnold; John A. Hay; Sally Batten (eds.). The Bibliography of Australian Literature. Vol. 2. University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3500-9. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ "Garner, Helen (1942–)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ Baum, Caroline (10 January 2004). "Title fight". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ a b Duguid, Lindsay (10 January 1993). "BOOK REVIEW / New Age in the land of Oz: 'Cosmo Cosmolino' - Helen Garner: Bloomsbury, 13.99". The Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ C. K. Stead (28 January 1993). "At Sweetpea Mansions". London Review of Books. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Neill, Rosemary (12 December 2006). "Malouf presses for novel reprints". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
External links
[edit]- Consider This: Helen Garner’s Cosmo Cosmolino - plot summary and review by Tegan Bennett Daylight in the Sydney Review of Books, 13 May 2016
- Garnering sales from The Sydney Morning Herald blog