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y separately published work icon The Ghost Writer single work   novel   mystery  
Issue Details: First known date: 2004... 2004 The Ghost Writer
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'In this tantalizing tale of Victorian ghost stories and family secrets, timid, solitary librarian Gerard Freeman lives for just two things: his elusive pen pal Alice and a story he found hidden in his mother's drawer years ago. Written by his great-grandmother Viola, it hints at his mother's role in a sinister crime. As he discovers more of Viola's chilling tales, he realizes that they might hold the key to finding Alice and unveiling his family's mystery-or will they bring him the untimely death they seem to foretell?

'Harwood's astonishing, assured debut shows us just how dangerous family skeletons-and stories-can be.' (Publication summary)

Notes

  • Dedication: For Robin and Deirdre.
  • Featured by the BIG Book Club, an initiative supported by The Advertiser in partnership with Arts SA, The Australia Council for the Arts, Channel 7 and FIVEAA to promote a love of reading, discussion and literature, March 2006.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Jonathan Cape ,       2004 .
      image of person or book cover 6595611598129441163.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 374p.
      ISBN: 0224071130 (pbk)
    • Orlando, Florida,
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,      :       Harcourt ,       2004 .
      image of person or book cover 1789543232559172292.jpeg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 384p.
      ISBN: 0151010749(hbk)
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Vintage UK ,       2005 .
      image of person or book cover 6773708522960878957.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 374p.
      ISBN: 0099460823
Alternative title: Das Haus der vergessenen Bilder
Language: German
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Other Formats

  • Also sound recording.
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Works about this Work

The Australian Horror Novel Since 1950 James Doig , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 112-127) According to James Doig the horror genre 'was overlooked by the popular circulating libraries in Australia.' In this chapter he observes that this 'marginalization of horror reflects both the trepidation felt by the conservative library system towards 'penny dreadfuls,' and the fact that horror had limited popular appeal with the British (and Australian) reading public.' Doig concludes that there is 'no Australian author of horror novels with the same commercial cachet' as authors of fantasy or science fiction. He proposes that if Australian horror fiction wants to compete successfully 'in the long-term it needs to develop a flourishing and vibrant small press contingent prepared to nurture new talent' like the USA and UK small presses.' (Editor's foreword xii)
Pleasing Terrors: Review of His First Novel, The Ghost Writer James Doig , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: Studies in Australian Weird Fiction , no. 2 2008; (p. 36-38)
— Review of The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel
Pleasing Terrors: An Interview with John Harwood James Doig (interviewer), 2008 single work interview
— Appears in: Studies in Australian Weird Fiction , no. 2 2008; (p. 33-36)
Goths and Vandals Lucy Sussex , 2007 single work review
— Appears in: Overland , Summer no. 189 2007; (p. 80-81)
— Review of The Anthology of Colonial Australian Gothic Fiction 2007 anthology short story extract ; The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel ; Red Spikes Margo Lanagan , 2006 selected work short story
Let's Talk About the V-Word Jane Sullivan , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 30 April 2006; (p. 16)
Paperbacks Ian McFarlane , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Canberra Sunday Times , 21 March 2004; (p. 19)
— Review of A Private Man Malcolm Knox , 2004 single work novel ; Wonderful Andrew Humphreys , 2004 single work novel ; The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel
Once Upon a Midnight Drear... Michael Sharkey , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 13-14 March 2004; (p. 8-9)
— Review of The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel ; Black Juice Margo Lanagan , 2004 selected work short story
Spooky Echo of Familiar Voices A. P. Riemer , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 March 2004; (p. 12)
— Review of The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel
In the Midst of Apparitions Katharine England , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 20 March 2004; (p. 11)
— Review of The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel
Stylish Debut James Ley , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , April no. 260 2004; (p. 50)
— Review of The Ghost Writer John Harwood , 2004 single work novel
Haunting Journey of a Confused Young Man Jessica Leo , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 4 March 2006; (p. 33)
That's the Spirit Samela Harris , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 18 March 2006; (p. 11) The Ghost Writer is The Advertiser Big Book Club's March 2006 selection.
Let's Talk About the V-Word Jane Sullivan , 2006 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 30 April 2006; (p. 16)
Pleasing Terrors: An Interview with John Harwood James Doig (interviewer), 2008 single work interview
— Appears in: Studies in Australian Weird Fiction , no. 2 2008; (p. 33-36)
The Australian Horror Novel Since 1950 James Doig , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 112-127) According to James Doig the horror genre 'was overlooked by the popular circulating libraries in Australia.' In this chapter he observes that this 'marginalization of horror reflects both the trepidation felt by the conservative library system towards 'penny dreadfuls,' and the fact that horror had limited popular appeal with the British (and Australian) reading public.' Doig concludes that there is 'no Australian author of horror novels with the same commercial cachet' as authors of fantasy or science fiction. He proposes that if Australian horror fiction wants to compete successfully 'in the long-term it needs to develop a flourishing and vibrant small press contingent prepared to nurture new talent' like the USA and UK small presses.' (Editor's foreword xii)
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Awards

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Last amended 11 Jun 2020 13:24:05
Subjects:
Settings:
  • South Australia,
  • London,
    c
    England,
    c
    c
    United Kingdom (UK),
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
  • 1800-1899
  • 1900-1999
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