AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'At the outbreak of World War I, Dominic Langton leaves his wife on a remote sheep farm in New South Wales to enlist in the British Army. What he experiences in the trenches changes him forever; his return home sees him cast off his past and find his own integrity. He has seen the true nature of war–the senseless waste of life, the millions of young men condemned to pointless slaughter–and has emerged a wiser, but troubled, man.
'When Blackbirds Sing is a masterful recreation of the vanished world of 1914, and a moving and powerful testament to the devastation of war. In this final instalment of Martin Boyd's celebrated Langton Quartet, Boyd confirms his reputation as one of the most outstanding novelists Australia has ever produced. ' (Publication summary)
Contents
- Introduction, essay
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Works about this Work
-
Martin Boyd, When Blackbirds Sing
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Long Paddock , vol. 75 no. 3 2016;
— Review of When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
Lovely Boys, Good Blokes, and Bonzer Bints : Love and Eroticism in British and Australian Great War Narratives
2014
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Antipodes , June vol. 28 no. 1 2014; (p. 155-165, 257) 'Rhoden examines love and eroticisam in British and Australian Great War narratives. Interestingly, Australian narratives, with their protagonists even more separated from their women, are also likely to eschew homosexual themes. Although male tenderness exists, it is represented as being of a much lesser degree, at least in its physical manifestation. Male-male friendship–mateships–represented by Australian authors may carry undertones of emotional and physical intensity, but this is usually expressed in curt, economical gestures. The "lovely boys" of British works give way to a bunch of good blokes. Readers need to look more closely for evidence of romance and special individual bonds.' (Publication abstract) -
Introduction
2014
essay
— Appears in: When Blackbirds Sing 2014; -
The Cultural Logic of Martin Boyd's Anti-Puritan Novels
2007-2008
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Zeitschrift fur Australienstudien , no. 21-22 2007-2008; (p. 46-56) -
'When Blackbirds Sing': Martin Boyd and the Reality of Good Friday
1996
single work
criticism
biography
— Appears in: Kunapipi , [Double Issue] vol. 18 no. 2-3 1996; (p. 68-82)
-
Martin Boyd : "When Blackbirds Sing"
1963
single work
review
— Appears in: Realist Writer , November no. 13 1963; (p. 27)
— Review of When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
Croak! Croak!
1963
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February vol. 2 no. 4 1963; Creme de la Phlegm : Unforgettable Australian Reviews 2006; (p. 111-115)
— Review of When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
Untitled
1971
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 27 March 1971; (p. 14)
— Review of A Difficult Young Man 1955 single work novel ; Outbreak of Love 1957 single work novel ; When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
Untitled
1971
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sunday Review , 25 April 1971; (p. 828)
— Review of A Difficult Young Man 1955 single work novel ; Outbreak of Love 1957 single work novel ; When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
[Review] The Cardboard Crown
1971
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 27 March 1971; (p. 20)
— Review of A Difficult Young Man 1955 single work novel ; The Cardboard Crown 1952 single work novel ; When Blackbirds Sing 1962 single work novel -
Dubious Cartography
Louis Kahan
(illustrator),
1964
single work
criticism
biography
— Appears in: Meanjin Quarterly , March vol. 23 no. 1 1964; (p. 4-13) On Native Grounds : Australian Writing from Meanjin Quarterly 1967; (p. 95-104) -
The Cultural Logic of Martin Boyd's Anti-Puritan Novels
2007-2008
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Zeitschrift fur Australienstudien , no. 21-22 2007-2008; (p. 46-56) -
Martin Boyd and "The Cardboard Crown"
1960
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Melbourne Critical Review , no. 3 1960; (p. 23-30) Melbourne or the Bush : Essays on Australian Literature and Society 1974; (p. 33-45) -
Fact and Fiction
1980
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Martin Boyd's Langton Novels 1980; (p. 1-7) -
When Blackbirds Sing
1980
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Martin Boyd's Langton Novels 1980; (p. 41-49)
- 1910s