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Man-Shy
ManShy
Author: Frank Dalby Davison
Man-Shy is Frank Dalby Davison's classic tale of the wild red heifer who flees the easy bondage of the grazing herd for the harsh freedom of the ranges. Written with a sympathetic understanding and an accuracy of observation that is unique, Man-Shy is both a penetrating analogy to humankind and a realistic and moving account of the instinct for ...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780207144318
ISBN-10: 0207144311
Publication Date: 1983
Pages: 160
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2

5 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Angus & Robertson
Book Type: Unknown Binding
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Man-Shy on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I read this many years ago in Australia while doing a creative writing course.

The classic Australian story of a red heifer who fought for freedom. This was the author's second book awarded the Australian Literature Society's gold medal for best Australian novel published in 1931. Listed by Dutton as being one of Australia's Greatest Books. He also wrote "Dusty" about an Australian sheep dog. "Man Shy" was told from the heifer's point of view and I found it an extremely good book. Not very long but well worth the read!!
KaysCMAlbums avatar reviewed Man-Shy on + 97 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Im not sure exactly what to make of this book. Although I would not count it among the greatest literary works of the century, I could not put it down. My heart has been stolen by Davisons animals, and I long to see them run free after reading this book.
It is an uncanny account by the author of the struggles, turmoils and longing to be free as experienced through the minds and hearts of wild beasts on the hoof, while at the same time giving us a glimpse of the quiet surrender and apathy of cattle bred, fed and branded on the ranches in Australia. This book is the authors interpretation of range life as seen through the eyes and felt in the hearts of the cattle themselves. At the same time, the author makes a clear distinction between the cattle and the stockmen who herd, raise, and sell the animals. From the cattlemans point of view, the cattle are beef-on-the-hoof to beef-on-the-hook; their livelihood. They generally have no sympathy for the cattle: that is simply their way of life. However, the fear and longing to run free and wild is instinctive to those cattle who roam the range outside the docile, domestic life of the cattle in the pens. It is the strength and will to survive that lives in the hearts of the scrubbers, those cattle who fight to roam free, that makes this a great book.
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