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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Journey to Horseshoe Bend was first published in 1969 and has been out of print for almost forty years. An Australian literary classic, it was written by TGH (Ted) Strehlow, author of the monumental Songs of Central Australia. It describes the final days of his father, Pastor Carl Strehlow, head of the Lutheran mission at Hermannsburg, as they travel, with Aboriginal companions, in extreme heat, along the dry riverbed of the Finke River, to the nearest railhead in search of medical assistance. They never reach help: the journey ends at Horseshoe Bend, with Pastor Strehlow’s death.
'Ted Strehlow grew up with Aborigines on the mission, and his knowledge of their customs and stories was unique. The book combines this knowledge, with a detailed awareness of the landscape and its sacred places, the battles that have been fought there, the lonely outposts of white settlement, and of the Biblical resonances of their own journey through this desert setting. ' (Publication summary, 2015 edition)
Adaptations
-
Journey to Horseshoe Bend
Andrew Schultz
(composer),
Gordon Kalton Williams
(composer),
2003
single work
musical theatre
Based on the autobiographical novel by T.G.H. Strehlow with a libretto by Gordon Kalton Williams.
Notes
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This work is about T. G. H. Strehlow's father, the missionary Carl Friedrich Theodor Strehlow (1871-1922). A cantata by Andrew Schultz based on this work was produced on 30 May 2003 at the Sydney Opera House.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Works about this Work
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James Paull Reviews Journey to Horseshoe Bend by T.G.H Strehlow
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: Mascara Literary Review , March no. 23 2019;
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography'If not for the Christian gravesite, the book-cover image of Central Australia might appear an all too familiar trope. Industries as much cultural as primary have engaged in modes of wealth extraction from this landscape. In mid-century modernist mythography, for example, the desert spoke of a nation’s spiritual void. By contrast, the grave’s fragile occupancy in this hostile sun-blasted world alludes to a specific historical biography. The telling of its story is no less indicative of land’s meaning, however, no less imbued with mythography.' (Introduction)
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Reissues
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Long Paddock , vol. 75 no. 3 2016;
— Review of Miss Peabody's Inheritance 1983 single work novel ; A Descant for Gossips 1960 single work novel ; Poor Fellow My Country 1975 single work novel ; Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
A Mythic Last Journey
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Arena Magazine , February/March no. 140 2016; (p. 51-52)
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
Review : Journey to Horseshoe Bend
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Monthly , February no. 119 2016; (p. 55)
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
Lucas Smith Reviews Journey to Horseshoe Bend by T. G. H. Strehlow
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Plumwood Mountain [Online] , February 2016;
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography
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Fracturing Colonialism : Phillip Hall Reviews ‘Journey To Horseshoe Bend’ by TGH Strehlow
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Rochford Street Review , October - December no. 16 2015;
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
Full of Wonders
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , January-February no. 378 2016; (p. 64)
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
Lucas Smith Reviews Journey to Horseshoe Bend by T. G. H. Strehlow
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Plumwood Mountain [Online] , February 2016;
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
Review : Journey to Horseshoe Bend
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Monthly , February no. 119 2016; (p. 55)
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography -
A Mythic Last Journey
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Arena Magazine , February/March no. 140 2016; (p. 51-52)
— Review of Journey to Horseshoe Bend 1969 single work biography
- Hermannsburg / Ntaria, South West Northern Territory, Southern Northern Territory, Northern Territory,