Country Australia Publisher Century, USA Media type Print Originally published 1933 Page count 415 | Language English Publication date 1933 Pages 415 Genre Novel | |
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Pageant (1933) is a novel by Australian author G. B. Lancaster (pen-name for Edith Joan Lyttleton). It won the ALS Gold Medal for Best Novel in 1933.
Contents
Plot summary
The novel follows the fortunes of three Tasmanian families from 1926 to the twentieth century.
Reviews
On the original publication of the novel a reviewer in Brisbane's The Telegraph placed the book in its literary context by stating: "In this book the influence of Marcus Clarke is apparent, and although the narrative is smoother, it is not less brilliant and fascinating."
In a review of the first 6 winners of the ALS Gold Medal, "J.K.E." in The West Australian noted that "The characterisation is vivid and the writer has the power of making us feel the reality of her people."
By the 1990s, however, the view of the book had changed with The Oxford Companion to Australian Literature stating: "The novel's attempts to present Tasmanian history as a colourful pageant result in woodenness and contrived efforts, although some of the characters have vitality."