''Pageant'' (1933) is a historical novel by Australasian author G. B. Lancaster (pen name for Edith Joan Lyttleton). It won the

ALS Gold Medal The Australian Literature Society Gold Medal (ALS Gold Medal) is awarded annually by the Association for the Study of Australian Literature for "an outstanding literary work in the preceding calendar year." From 1928 to 1974 it was awarded by the ...

for Best Novel in 1933.

Plot summary

The novel follows the fortunes of three

Tasmanian Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The state encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th ...

families from 1826 to the twentieth century.

Notes

* Dedication: "To V.M. and Liz. In memory of billy-teas under the gum-trees and ghosts at Port Arthur." * In the Foreword the author states "the greater part of the incident is true, having been collected from news paper files and records in Hobart and Launceston, and also from old diaries of my great-grandparents, who were among the military and settler class in the early days."

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 Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke (24 April 1846 – 2 August 1881) was an English-born Australian novelist, journalist, poet, editor, librarian, and playwright. He is best known for his 1874 novel ''For the Term of His Natural Life'', about the con ...

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." The reviewer for ''

The Morning Post ''The Morning Post'' was a conservative daily newspaper published in London from 1772 to 1937, when it was acquired by ''The Daily Telegraph''. History The paper was founded by John Bell. According to historian Robert Darnton, ''The Morning ...

'' of London said: "Fine, virile, and graphic in style, spacious in atmosphere and treatment, this history of the early settlers and old convict days in Tasmania further gives us two of the most exquisite feminine portraits that I have seen in a novel for a long time." 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."

Awards and nominations

* 1933 winner

"Australian Literature : Society's Annual 'Drama Night'" ''The Age'', 6 October 1934, p21
/ref>

References

1933 Australian novels Australian historical novels Family saga novels Novels set in Tasmania ALS Gold Medal–winning works {{1930s-family-novel-stub