Dal Stivens
Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1970.

Winner of the Miles Franklin Award for best Australian novel in 1970. “the story of Harry Craddock — millionaire, ornithologist, idealist and buffoon — written mostly by himself in a mental hospital after a wild expedition to central Australia in search of the rare night parrot. His self-portrait is filled out and balanced with extracts from his wife’s diary and comments by the psychiatrist who treated him. The result is a many-layered narrative whose ultimate meaning, or meanings, each reader must decide for themselves. One thing is beyond doubt: it is a strange and compelling story. The character and life of Harry Craddock include many contrasting elements, but they all converge in his quest for the night parrot.” (from jacket blurb)