Honour & Other People's Children

Honour & Other People's Children

First edition
Author Helen Garner
Country Australia
Language English
Publisher McPhee Gribble
Publication date
1980
Media type Print
Pages 156 p
ISBN 0-87223-742-7
Preceded by Monkey Grip (1977)
Followed by The Children's Bach (1984)

Honour & Other People's Children is a collection of two short stories - also described as novellas[1] - by Australian writer Helen Garner. It was first published by McPhee Gribble in 1980.[2][3] Garner's second published book, it was written while she lived in Paris, France.[4] Australian literary critic Peter Craven described Garner's second published work as "less vigorous perhaps [than Monkey Grip], but showing greater artistry."[1]

"Honour"

Honour is about the relationship between two people, separated but still legally married and with a child of the marriage, their ongoing friendship, and the changes to relationship when the former husband re-partners.[2]

"Other People's Children"

Other People's Children is about the disruption and end of relationship between two women, Scotty and Ruth, who live in a collective household. Scotty loves Ruth's daughter "as only the childless can love other people's children". Into Scotty's life comes Madigan, "a great lump of a fellow with yellow eyes, who bunched his thick fingers together in front of him when he entered a room".[2]

References