 First edition | |
| Author | Morris West |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Heinemann, London |
Publication date | 1968 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 340 pp |
| Preceded by | The Ambassador |
| Followed by | Summer of the Red Wolf |
The Tower of Babel (1968) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West. [1]
The novel is set in the Middle East on the brink of war. The story begins with a border incident that is followed by an Israeli invasion of Jordan.
John Graham, writing in The Canberra Times, noted changes in the writer's style: "The atmosphere of dramatic fiction which pervades this novel is a far cry from his earlier works, notably Children of the Sun and The Devil's Advocate. Since those admirable and essentially simple studies of the Christian conscience he has moved towards the political novel with more enthusiasm than aptitude. His simpler themes earned him his original reputation." [2]
The reviewer in Kirkus Reviews found the novel less than impressive: "Easy to read, easy to forget. Written to formula, devoid of inspiration. Coated over with a shopworn eloquence which only serves to undermine the author's long-standing and convincing moral concerns." [3]
Morris Langlo West was an Australian novelist and playwright, best known for his novels The Devil's Advocate (1959), The Shoes of the Fisherman (1963) and The Clowns of God (1981). His books were published in 27 languages and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Each new book he wrote after he became an established writer sold more than one million copies.
Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, known professionally as A. S. Byatt, is an English novelist, poet and Booker Prize winner. In 2008, The Times newspaper named her on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945.
The Shoes of the Fisherman is a 1968 American drama film based on the 1963 novel of the same name by the Australian novelist Morris West. Shot in Rome, the motion picture was directed by Michael Anderson and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Mao II, published in 1991, is Don DeLillo's tenth novel. The book tells the story of a novelist, struggling to finish a novel, who travels to Lebanon to assist a writer being held hostage. The title is derived from a series of Andy Warhol silkscreen prints depicting Mao Zedong. DeLillo dedicated the book to his friend Gordon Lish. Major themes of the book include crowds and the effects of political terrorism. Mao II received positive reviews from critics and won the PEN/Faulkner Award in 1992.
Harold Edward James Aldridge was an Australian-British writer and journalist. His World War II despatches were published worldwide and he was the author of over 30 books, both fiction and non-fiction works, including war and adventure novels and books for children.
The Tower of Babel in the Old Testament was a tower built by a united humanity in an attempt to reach the heavens.
Dorothy Johnston is an Australian author of both crime and literary fiction. She has published novels, short stories and essays.
Three Cheers for the Paraclete (1968) is a novel by the Australian author Thomas Keneally. It won the Miles Franklin Award in 1968.
The Acolyte is a Miles Franklin Award-winning novel by Australian author Thea Astley first published in 1972.
Barry Maitland is an Australian author of crime fiction. After studying architecture at Cambridge, Maitland practised and taught in the UK before moving to Australia, where he became a Professor of Architecture at the University of Newcastle. He retired in 2000 and took up writing full-time.
The Devil's Advocate is a 1959 novel by Australian author Morris West. It forms part of West's "Vatican" sequence of novels, along with The Shoes of the Fisherman (1963), The Clowns of God (1981), and Lazarus (1990).
Move is a 1970 American comedy film starring Elliott Gould, Paula Prentiss and Geneviève Waïte, and directed by Stuart Rosenberg. The screenplay was written by Joel Lieber and Stanley Hart, adapted from a novel by Lieber.
Boss of the Pool is a children's book by Australian author Robin Klein and also is the name of a play adaptation by Scottish-Australian playwright Mary Morris. The story follows a teenage girl called Shelley, who must accompany her mother to work in the summer holidays as her mother has no other way of minding her. Her mother works at a hostel for people with disabilities, and Shelley meets a boy called Ben, who really likes her, but is afraid of water. Shelley helps teach Ben to overcome his fear of the water.
Severn House Publishers is an independent publisher of fiction in hardcover and ebooks. Severn House specialises in publishing mid-list authors in both the UK and the USA. Established in 1974, Severn House began republishing out-of-print titles by popular library authors. The publishing house now specialises in providing libraries and the public worldwide with reinforced editions of brand new contemporary fiction, as well as rare or previously unpublished works. Since 2011, Crème de la Crime has been part of Severn House Publishers. In September 2017, Severn House was acquired by Canongate Books.
Dark Places of the Heart (1966) is a novel by Australian writer Christina Stead. This novel is also known by the title Cotter's England.
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1968.
The Last Exile (1961) is an historical novel by Australian writer James Aldridge.
When Jays Fly to Barbmo (1968) is the debut novel for children by Australian author Margaret Balderson, illustrated by Victor Ambrus. It won the Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers in 1969.
Moon in My Pocket is a 1945 novel by Morris West under the name "Julian Morris". It was West's first novel and was written while he was in the services.
Kundu is a 1956 Australian novel by Morris West. It was one of West's first novels - the second published under his own name - and was reportedly written in only three weeks. A 1993 review of West's career said the novel was a "potboiler" redeemed by his descriptions of New Guinea.