The Riding Gallery

The Riding Gallery

$16.99
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UPC:
9781760657345

Product Description

Exploring the true story of the St Kilda merry go round during World War 1, by Australia's most revered verse novelist. In Melbourne's St Kilda, as World War 1 begins, Anton, a German immigrant fulfils his dream of creating the most beautiful steam-driven Òriding galleryÓÑa merry go roundÑin the world. Evelyn, who has just moved to the city befriends local boy Rory, but the war, and anti-German sentiment, soon takes its toll on the children, Anton, their families, and the riding gallery itself. Based on true events, this is a cleverly structured, multiple point-of-view story, including poems created from contemporaneous newspaper headlines, and Sally Murphy at her finest form.

Other Details

Author:
Sally Murphy (AU)
Illustrator:
Martina Heiduczek (AU)
Release Date:
2024

Reviews

  • 3
    poems, newspapers, World War I, Gallipoli, homefront, carnival rides, Melbourne, friendship, grief, belonging, justice, family, friendship, racism, Australian

    Posted by Novel Insight Reviews on 3rd Jul 2024

    It is 1914, and Australia has just declared war on Germany. Anton Weniger is a German immigrant who runs carnival rides. He summers in St Kilda and is working on a new ride, a Riding Gallery (a merry-go-round), which reminds him of his homeland. Anton only wants to bring joy to children and adults but finds his allegiance to his new country, Australia, tested as the War makes policemen and the public suspicious of Germans. Evelyn is moving to St Kilda with her parents for her Dad’s work as a news writer. They move in next door to Rory’s family. He is glad to meet Evelyn, who he calls Ev, and they watch a parade of soldiers together. Afterwards, Anton Weniger gives them both a free ride, because it is a special day, despite his unhappiness over his two countries fighting. After the sinking of the Lusitania, a civilian ship, by the Germans, Anton experiences more pressure from the police, despite being a pacifist. One of Rory’s brothers, Paddy, loses a leg in battle and is taken to hospital in Cairo. Rory takes his anger at the Germans out against Anton. Soon protestors decide to make trouble for Anton, his ride, and the two new friends. A powerful verse novel about friendship and discrimination during World War 1 and the invention of the merry-go-round.