Bushranger of the Skies

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Bushranger of the Skies
Author Arthur Upfield
CountryAustralia
Language English
Series Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte
GenreFiction
Publisher Angus & Robertson
Publication date
1940
Media typePrint
Pages314 pp
Preceded by The Mystery of Swordfish Reef  
Followed by Death of a Swagman  

Bushranger of the Skies (1940) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It is the eighth of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1940. [1]

Contents

The novel is also known under the title No Footprints in the Bush. [1]

Abstract

While on his way to McPherson's Station to meet the local Police Sargeant, Bony witnesses a plane bomb the policeman's car, killing him instantly. Bony then continues on to the station determined to identify the murderer.

Location

The action of the novel takes place at "McPherson's Station", 80 miles northwest of Shaw's Lagoon, South Australia.

Publishing history

Following the book's initial publication by Angus & Robertson in 1940 [2] it was subsequently published as follows: [1]

and subsequent paperback, ebook and audio book editions.

The novel was also translated into German in 1965. [1]

Critical reception

A reviewer in The Advertiser wrote of the novel: "Apart from the thrilling story Mr. Upfield conveys with a sure hand the atmosphere of the burning heart of Australia, and writes some really clever sketches of the aborigines and their customs. For these things alone the book is well worth reading." [3]

Writing on the website "Vintage Pop Fictions", a critic stated: "The difficulty facing a man like Bony, caught between two cultures and with strong loyalties to both, is a major underlying theme of all the Bony stories but in this novel it takes centre stage. All the central characters in this story are in their own ways in the same position as Bony, caught halfway between cultures. Bony has come to terms with his own situation but the other characters have not...Upfield's treatment of these problems might seem old-fashioned but that's a superficial view. Once you put aside the fact that he uses terms that are now forbidden (such as half-caste) you'll find that his views on these matters are perceptive and deeply sympathetic. He refuses to idealise either the whites or the Aboriginals or those of mixed race but he is fundamentally sympathetic to all three points of view and he is also fundamentally optimistic. Of course the book was written in a much more optimistic age. Perhaps the tragedy of our own times is the we've lost that optimism." [4]

Television adaptation

The novel was adapted for television in 1973 in a one-hour episode, titled "Boney and the Black Clansman", of the Boney series. It was directed by Barry Davis, from a script by Ted Roberts. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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The Barrakee Mystery (1929) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the second of the author's novels, his first crime novel and the first to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the UK by Hutchinson in 1929, and subsequently serialised in The Herald in Melbourne in 42 daily instalments between 23 July and 9 September 1932.

The Sands of Windee (1931) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the fourth of the author's novels and the second to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the UK by Hutchinson in 1931, and subsequently serialised in The Herald in Melbourne in 42 daily instalments between 23 January and 11 March 1932.

Wings Above the Diamantina (1936) is a detective novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the third to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1936, and subsequently serialised in The Australian Journal between January and September 1936.

Mr. Jelly's Business (1937) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the fourth to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1937, after being serialised in the Daily News between December 1932 and January 1933.

Winds of Evil (1937) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the fifth of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1937, and subsequently serialised in The Australian Journal in Melbourne between March and October 1937.

The Bone is Pointed (1938) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the sixth of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1938, and subsequently serialised in The Herald newspaper in Melbourne between September and November 1938, under the title Murder on the Station.

The Mystery of Swordfish Reef (1939) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It was the seventh of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1939.

Death of a Swagman (1945) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield. It is the ninth of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in USA by Doubleday Books in 1945.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Austlit — Bushranger of the Skies by Arthur Upfield". Austlit. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Bushranger of the Skies, Angus & Robertson (1940)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ↑ ""Latest Fiction"". The Advertiser, 21 September 1940, p10. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ↑ ""Arthur W. Upfield's Bushranger of the Skies"". Vintage Pop Fictions, 14 December 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. ↑ ""Boney and the Black Clansman"". IMDB. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
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