Cosmo Cosmolino
First edition
AuthorHelen Garner
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
PublisherMcPhee Gribble
Publication date
1992
Media typePrint
Pages221
ISBN0747513449
Preceded byPostcards from Surfers (1985) 
Followed byThe First Stone (1994) 

Cosmo Cosmolino is a 1992 book by Australian writer Helen Garner.[1] The book consists of three linked works: two short stories and a novella, though the author and critics have described it as a novel.[2]

It was first published in Australia by McPhee Gribble[3] and was shortlisted for the 1993 Miles Franklin Award.[4] It has been reported that the novel's title is Garner's favourite, and came to her in a dream.[5]

Short stories

In the first short story "Recording Angel", a woman goes to a hospital to see a gravely ill friend.[6] In the second short story "A Vigil", a man is forced to see the cremation of his girlfriend who suicided.[6]

Novella

In the novella that gives the name to the book, freelance writer Janet owns a terrace house in Melbourne. The house was previously inhabited by a communal household.[7]

Critical reception

The novel was critically well received.[8]

References

  1. ^ "NLA Trove – Cosmo Cosmolino – Helen Garner". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. ^ Ramona Koval (21 April 2012). "Rewind to Ms Garner's angels: Spiritual belief and Melbourne trams provide rich motifs in the author's 1992 novel". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  3. ^ Arnold, John (1 February 2005). John Arnold; John A. Hay; Sally Batten (eds.). The Bibliography of Australian Literature. Vol. 2. University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3500-9. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Garner, Helen (1942–)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  5. ^ Baum, Caroline (10 January 2004). "Title fight". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b Duguid, Lindsay (10 January 1993). "BOOK REVIEW / New Age in the land of Oz: 'Cosmo Cosmolino' - Helen Garner: Bloomsbury, 13.99". The Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  7. ^ C. K. Stead (28 January 1993). "At Sweetpea Mansions". London Review of Books. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  8. ^ Neill, Rosemary (12 December 2006). "Malouf presses for novel reprints". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 22 January 2012.

External links

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