MIDNITE: The Story of a Wild Colonial Boy

by Randolph Stow ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1968

From Captain Midnite (""There is nothing romantic about good spelling"") to Mr. Day-brake, all in one (historic) knight. Aided by five pets, especially a Siamese Khat, a wild colonial boy-turned-bushranger fumbles his first heist by selecting a Judge and Trooper O'Grady who outwit him with ease and who reappear with almost measured regularity thereafter. A romantic hero in name and song (and based on an actual Australian), he is betrayed by his true love, one Laura Wellborn, when she discovers that the mask hides a seventeen-year-old boy. Striking gold, knighted by Victoria, he returns as Mr. Daybrake the millionaire, then is robbed by a bushranger--the recurrent O'Grady. Proud poverty transforms his submissive instincts into a marry-me-and-shut-up proposal which the overwhelmed female accepts with renewed admiration. Double-jointed stupidity, conveyed by exaggerations, misses the tongue-in-cheekery intended, and amusingly caricatured drawings can't substitute.

Pub Date: April 15, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Prentice-Hall

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION