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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'For perhaps the first time in novel form, Benevolence presents an important era in Australia’s history from an Aboriginal perspective.
'Benevolence is told from the perspective of Darug woman, Muraging (Mary James), born around 1813. Mary’s was one of the earliest Darug generations to experience the impact of British colonisation. At an early age Muraging is given over to the Parramatta Native School by her Darug father. From here she embarks on a journey of discovery and a search for a safe place to make her home.
'The novel spans the years 1816-35 and is set around the Hawkesbury River area, the home of the Darug people, Parramatta and Sydney. The author interweaves historical events and characters - she shatters stereotypes and puts a human face to this Aboriginal perspective.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Exhibitions
19730740
19567105
Teaching Resources
This work has teaching resources.
Teachers' notes via publisher's website.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Large print.
- Dyslexic edition.
- Braille.
Works about this Work
-
Hayley Scrivenor Reviews Benevolence by Julie Janson
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: Mascara Literary Review , August no. 25 2020;
— Review of Benevolence 2020 single work novel -
Muraging's Story : A Thought-Provoking Historical Novel
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 423 2020; (p. 35)
— Review of Benevolence 2020 single work novel 'You not waibala, you not blackfella. You in between. So Granny Wiring tells Muraging, the protagonist in Julie Janson's latest thought-provoking novel, Benevolence. While this is not Janson's first foray into historical fiction — The Light Horse Ghost was published in 2018 — it is a tale close to her heart. While Benevolence is based on the oral histories of Darug elders and the archival snippets of her own great-great-grand-mother, Janson's characters evoke notions of belonging and benevolence in early settler Australia. Primarily set on Darug country between 1813 and 1842, Benevolence draws attention to the survival and adaptation of Aboriginal communities in the face of the destruction wrought by colonialism.' (Introduction)
-
Muraging's Story : A Thought-Provoking Historical Novel
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 423 2020; (p. 35)
— Review of Benevolence 2020 single work novel 'You not waibala, you not blackfella. You in between. So Granny Wiring tells Muraging, the protagonist in Julie Janson's latest thought-provoking novel, Benevolence. While this is not Janson's first foray into historical fiction — The Light Horse Ghost was published in 2018 — it is a tale close to her heart. While Benevolence is based on the oral histories of Darug elders and the archival snippets of her own great-great-grand-mother, Janson's characters evoke notions of belonging and benevolence in early settler Australia. Primarily set on Darug country between 1813 and 1842, Benevolence draws attention to the survival and adaptation of Aboriginal communities in the face of the destruction wrought by colonialism.' (Introduction)
-
Hayley Scrivenor Reviews Benevolence by Julie Janson
2020
single work
review
— Appears in: Mascara Literary Review , August no. 25 2020;
— Review of Benevolence 2020 single work novel
Awards
- 2022 shortlisted Barbara Jefferis Award
- 2021 longlisted Voss Literary Prize
- 2020 longlisted Mark and Evette Moran Nib Award for Literature
Last amended 27 Mar 2025 13:46:32
Settings:
- Hawkesbury River, Hawkesbury area, Northwest Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
- Parramatta, Parramatta area, Sydney, New South Wales,
- Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1816-1835
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