Tourmaline

by Randolph Stow

DJ illustration by Sydney Nolan

Macdonald & Co., 1963 [First Edition], hardcover, dust-jacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing to edges and corners, remainder line at bottom fore-edge, previous owners inscription on front end-paper; dust-jacket shows some edge and shelf wear with some rubbing, chips and small tears to edges and corners (see photographs)

"On the surface Tourmaline is the story of an illusion, of a lost township snatching at the chance of re-birth.  At a deeper level it is a fable of life and man's ever-present temptation to seek refuge from the world of his own reality.  From a scarred and corrupted outer world, a stranger staggers into the derelict gold-rush town of tourmaline where the remaining inhabitants are "tenants of shanties rented from the wind, tenants of the sun-struck miles".  His name is Michael and he is a diviner.
Taken in half-dead, cared for and made welcome, Michael seems the answer to the prayers of the people of Tourmaline.  He will find them gold and water.  The glories of Tourmaline will return.  But, whether or not they seek to be, those who work miracles are Gods, and few can resist seeking."