Action-packed take on Aussie icon

TO cover the complexity behind one of Australia’s literary giants, a Bacchus Marsh writer explored a range of genres in his debut novel.

Wayne Marshall will launch Henry Goes Bush at the town’s Lerderderg Library on Saturday 2 May.

The titular character is Henry Lawson, who is bound for the country on a quest for self-development.

However, instead of a more faithful depiction, Lawson finds himself in dramatic acts such as a literal shootout with fellow literary great Banjo Paterson.

A blend of science-fiction, the spaghetti western and horror, the novel was inspired by events such as Lawson’s own notable trip to Bourke, as well as how famed magazine The Bulletin had him and Paterson debate notions of the bush.

“I wasn’t so interested in a sort of realistic faithful depiction for the book to be straight historical fiction, that doesn’t appeal to me artistically,” Marshall said.

“And it didn’t appeal to me in a sense that I wanted to get to some bigger mythic stuff.”

Lawson is led through other aspects of Bourke where he explores facets of himself in a carnivalesque, action-packed setting.

“The idea of him and himself containing multitudes,” Marshall said.

“He was a very complex character. On top of that is this idea of history. There’s multiple stories that are combined to one, so there are different takes and often contradictory things.”

A lover of Australian writing, Marshall became hooked on the premise of Lawson’s journey.

“Lawson is this sort of voice of blokey mateship, the literary poetic voice of mateship,” Marshall said. “And he’s heading out to Bourke which is a real playground for all that.

“He was really, really well-skilled at adopting the voice of all that. I think that’s a big key to his success, but he didn’t feel comfortable in it.”

An organiser for the Peter Carey Short Story Award with fellow local writer Jem Tyley-Miller, Marshall previously wrote short story collection Shirl, which was shortlisted for a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award.

Tyley-Miller will emcee the free book launch, which will include addresses from Michael Winkler, whose novel Grimmish was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, and Adelaide writer Alex Cothren.

The event will run from 12.30pm to 2pm. Bookings can be made at moorabool.vic.gov.au/Events.