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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'At the age of thirty-four, Michael McGirr decides to take his charming and inimitable mum on the honeymoon she and her late husband never got around to having. Between recounting their hilarious travels around Europe and meditating on the historical figures who dot their voyage — everyone from Hemingway to Michelangelo to the quietly heroic people who inspire McGirr's special brand of faith — he plunges deep into his family history, unearthing sickness and depression but also moments of great love and perseverance.
'Things You Get for Free is a deeply moving spiritual and intellectual journey that sparkles with McGirr's singular wit and proves the truth behind his mother's favourite saying: "I know more than you think I know."' (From the Scribe website, abstract for 2012 edition.)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Works about this Work
-
The Borrowers: The Things You Get for Free
2005
single work
column
— Appears in: Canberra Sunday Times , 20 February 2005; (p. 19) -
A Butterfly Nailed to the Page
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: Overland , Winter no. 163 2001; (p. 111-113)
— Review of The Office as a Boat : A Chronicle 2000 single work novel ; Shore and Shelter 2000 single work novel ; Things You Get for Free 2000 single work autobiography ; Playing Madame Mao 2000 single work novel -
Journey Leads to a Mid-Life Audit
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: Canberra Sunday Times , 7 January 2001; (p. 50)
— Review of Things You Get for Free 2000 single work autobiography -
Refreshing the Memory
2000
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Australian's Review of Books , August vol. 5 no. 7 2000; (p. 5-6, 26) -
A Writ Served
2000
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Australian's Review of Books , July vol. 5 no. 6 2000; (p. 6-7)
-
A Mid-Life Audit
2000
single work
review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 30 September 2000; (p. 7)
— Review of Things You Get for Free 2000 single work autobiography -
Journey Leads to a Mid-Life Audit
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: Canberra Sunday Times , 7 January 2001; (p. 50)
— Review of Things You Get for Free 2000 single work autobiography -
A Butterfly Nailed to the Page
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: Overland , Winter no. 163 2001; (p. 111-113)
— Review of The Office as a Boat : A Chronicle 2000 single work novel ; Shore and Shelter 2000 single work novel ; Things You Get for Free 2000 single work autobiography ; Playing Madame Mao 2000 single work novel -
The Borrowers: The Things You Get for Free
2005
single work
column
— Appears in: Canberra Sunday Times , 20 February 2005; (p. 19) -
A Writ Served
2000
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Australian's Review of Books , July vol. 5 no. 6 2000; (p. 6-7) -
Refreshing the Memory
2000
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Australian's Review of Books , August vol. 5 no. 7 2000; (p. 5-6, 26)
Awards
Last amended 29 Jun 2015 16:07:06
Subjects:
- Europe,
-
cAustralia,c
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