The Harp In The South Trilogy (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
The Harp in the South is an Australian classic written by Ruth Park. This book follows the lives of the Darcy Family, who live in a run down flat in Surry Hills. Filled with unforgettable characters such Mumma, Hughie, Dolour and Roie, this is a story which really depicts a true description of life in an inner city suburb of working class and poverty stricken families. This is honest tale of life ... without the fancy cars and the impossible romance. A tale of family, true love, growing up, loss and laughter. This edition also contains the prequel and sequel, Missus and Poor Man's Orange. The language is quite old fashioned, and the story moves along very slowly, but this is why I love it so much. There is no fiction in this book - apart from the fact that it was mostly made up... if that makes any sense! A must read for those interested in Classic drama and stories based on the bumps of life. I have heard this described as a 'quiet novel' and I think that is the perfect description. There are no explosions, it's not a fast-paced thriller, it chronicles the lives of an ordinary Australian family, perhaps only extraordinary in their poverty - although at the time, their kind of poverty was not so unusual. This book is filled with so much life and heart - even the hopeless characters, like 'head of the family' Hughie, who drinks away their rent money repeatedly, find their way into your heart. Ruth Park's writing is so beautiful - her descriptions of life in Surrey Hills are vivid and her characters are beautifully-drawn. I read all three of the novels in a row, and I still wanted more of the Darcy family.
What do You think about The Harp In The South Trilogy (2010)?
Ruth Park's writing is superb, with acute portrayal of characters and the slums of Sydney.
—mommy
Very moving. Paints a very realistic portrait of poverty. Beautiful writing.
—Pipilota
