- Published: 2 July 2012
- ISBN: 9781926428420
- Imprint: Hamish Hamilton
- Format: Trade Paperback
- Pages: 256
- RRP: $29.99
Beneath the Darkening Sky
- Published: 2 July 2012
- ISBN: 9781926428420
- Imprint: Hamish Hamilton
- Format: Trade Paperback
- Pages: 256
- RRP: $29.99
'With lyrical language and emotional urgency, Tulba has succeeded in creating a haunting marvel of a story that says as much about familial dreams and burdens as it does about the protracted history of Sudanese conflict. It is reminiscent of Nam Le's The Boat and Markus Zusak's The Book Thief - an important piece of work but also a wonderful page-turner.' Jennifer Peterson-Ward, Bookseller & Publisher
PRH, PRH
'A blackly eloquent tale . . . . a war novel of an originality and fidelity that has scarcely been matched in Australia.' Peter Pierce, The Age
PRH, PRH
'A remarkable novel . . . an important book.' Stephen Romei, Weekend Australian
PRH, PRH
'A powerful story written with tenderness and tremendous empathy for its main character . . . Uncompromising.' Herald Sun
PRH, PRH
'That this is an important novel almost goes without saying. That it is the first Australian novel of its kind is exhilarating . . . A brilliant novel that will not be easily forgotten.' Chris Flynn, The Weekend Australian
PRH, PRH
'You must read Beneath the Darkening Sky – a gripping, moving depiction of the horrific plight of child soldiers in Africa.' Bianca Jagger, Founder and Chair, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation
PRH, PRH
'If childhood should be about innocence, and if Australia stands for the right to grow up free of fear, then Majok Tulba's first novel should be mandatory reading . . . A compelling novel, finely crafted, with humour and deep psychological insight.' Linda Mottram, 702 ABC, Sydney
PRH, PRH
'Has the unflinching simplicity of Primo Levi, set in a world of heat and not cold. If Levi wrote If This Is a Man, then Majok has written a story that could very well be alternately titled If This Is a Boy . . . There are novels that bore into a reader's psyche long after the last page . . . Beneath the Darkening Sky is a devastating book, but after reading it, it is not a book that leaves a reader feeling devastated. It is a book about growing up that leaves us clearer about what to feel regarding the pain of others, with an understanding about how human beings can regenerate, slowly.' Alice Pung, readings.com.au
PRH, PRH
'Not an easy read but is an enthralling one . . . A gripping tale of innocence in war.' Brittany Vonow, Courier Mail
PRH, PRH
'Outstanding . . . Tulba has created a complex and convincing character, relating the tale superbly.' Ross Southernwood, Sun-Herald
PRH, PRH
'A powerful and confronting read. . . Raw and uncompromising . . . Written by a young man with a yearning for the world to know this story. It is beautifully written and a definite must read.' Jon Page, bitethebook.com
PRH, PRH
'The raw intensity of [t]his debut novel cuts like a straight razor.' Paul Robinson, The Australian Way (Qantas magazine)
PRH, PRH
'A compelling debut . . . This novel is set in a world that many of us could never hope to understand, but Tulba goes some way to addressing that . . . An articulate new voice in Australian fiction.' Angela Andrewes, The Big Issue
PRH, PRH
'Outstanding . . . In Obinna, Tulba has created a complex and convincing character, relating the tale superbly, enhanced by poetic passages.' Sunday Examiner, (Launceston)
PRH, PRH
'An important work. I couldn't put it down.' Lisa Hill, ANZlitlovers.com
PRH, PRH
'Required reading for every open-eyed 21st-century Australian.' 'Top 10 Books of 2012', The Big Issue
PRH, PRH
FAW Award
Highly commended • 2013 • Christina Stead Award
SMH Young Novelist
Joint winner • 2013 • General
Dylan Thomas Prize (UK)
Shortlisted • 2013 • Fiction
NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Shortlisted • 2013 • Community Relations