Fascinated by the book and the film when it came out. We watched it again recently and thought it wasn't ageing well...but I think the Muriel Spark analogy is well made.
Crazy: this book is in the post I shared today too!! It’s on my “started reading but haven’t finished yet” list and so I’m bookmarking this to read after I’ve finished it!! It’s so good. The first 30 or so pages are amazing so far!
I know!! I just noticed that, too!! Yes, don’t read my essay until you have read the whole book, as it gives a few spoilers away…I was thinking of you as I wrote it though, as I advise on closely reading some of the critical material around it as well, as it really enhances the reading of the book- something you are always telling us! :)
Ooh I’m so excited to come back once I’ve read it, then!! It’s funny: I actually started reading it on a holiday-cabin weekend earlier this summer, and I felt I couldn’t concentrate closely enough to give it the right attention. This validates me going back to it, ruler & pen at the ready!
I saw the Peter Weir film and never read Lindsay's story. For some reason, Golding's "Lord of the Flies" and the Marabar Caves sequence in Forster's, "A Passage to India" (read it in high school) came to mind. I watched it again, a few years ago and I made the same connections with Golding and Forster stories. At the beginning of the "picnic" sequence, it felt like something girls would get up to on a day in the boonies, out of the sight of "Miss Jean Brodie". But the story makes a sudden turn veering away from the discipline and repression of a school for girls––the nasty empirical world––to glowing sunlight around, the very photogenic actress, Anne-Louis Lambert, quickly progressing into the non-material realm and an unsatisfying denouement. It was a jolt for me, because (in 1975) I thought the story was based on a real incident––a mystery that was solved.
Thanks, Ron. Yes, it does have the ring of a true story or mystery to it, and I think this has been an often queried assumption. I get your connection with those earlier texts, too, especially the way the girls split off and climb the rocks, leaving the less popular girl behind.
This is definitely one of those haunting books that stays with you for weeks after you finish it. Your essay is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this classic!
Ooh, I loved reading this! I remember watching the film as a teenager and being absolutely mesmerized by it. I read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie last year and really enjoyed it, so I’ll have to give this novel a try!
Exactly that, a touch of the teenage hysteria, a really good scoop of psycho-horror and all wrapped up in an Edwardian basket of Tales of the Unexpected. There are places I go which can only be described as having “a touch of Picnic at Hanging Rock about them”. It’s become a life long reference point.
I am embarrassed to admit it but since we are among friends - I have not even heard of this book before. Trying to set those feelings aside and focus on how excited I am now to read it! Sounds right up my alley! I love your reviews, Kate!
Great essay! I loved this book, as you say it’s spooky and dark but humorous too - the story is told in such a matter-of-fact, almost sarcastic tone at times. It definitely reminds me of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I didn’t know about the links to colonialism and control. I’ll have to do some more research on that :)
Thanks! It's fascinating how the links have been made. I agree on the sarcasm as well. You might like 'The Virgin Suicides', which again has a similar feel to it. Thank you for reading 😀
Gosh, this brought things back. In the late 1970s my Scottish secondary school showed the Peter Weir film to the top three year groups in the school (an end of term treat for the older ones? No idea), and it was mesmerising. Utterly haunting. I was transfixed, and have never forgotten the imagery or the actors in their roles. I had no idea that the film was based on a novel: thank you for that.
An untidy ending for a dark, mysterious book is in line with what my husband appreciates in some horror films. Life is not straightforward, so why should a hard story be wrapped up neatly? (I am not a fan of horror, so I learn vicariously through him about the genre.)
Thanks for this, Kate, I enjoyed reading your piece. The novel is certainly not overlooked in Australia! I didn't like the recent television adaptation much, but the film is wonderful. You may be interested to know if you didn't that Sydney Theatre Company is doing a new stage adaptation in 2025: https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2025/picnic-at-hanging-rock
Thank you, Samuel! (How are you, btw? I've missed your newsletters!)
I think honestly I was referencing my own overlooking the novel; somewhat remiss of me to have only come to it fairly recently, and I really enjoyed it. I've also forced it onto my daughter, who is also enjoying it. I haven't seen either the 1975 film (which I would like to see) or the series (not so much based on your feedback!) A stage adaptation sounds interesting. Thanks for reading :)
Ah, thanks, Kate! I'm very well, hope you are. Life and work have taken over Substack. But I haven't left! And I do enjoy your weekly essay. The film, with its painterly Heidelberg School visual aesthetic, is well worth seeing.
Fascinated by the book and the film when it came out. We watched it again recently and thought it wasn't ageing well...but I think the Muriel Spark analogy is well made.
Thanks, Sarah. Interesting; I think that's often true when we re-revisit some old films we remember loving the first time around.
Crazy: this book is in the post I shared today too!! It’s on my “started reading but haven’t finished yet” list and so I’m bookmarking this to read after I’ve finished it!! It’s so good. The first 30 or so pages are amazing so far!
I know!! I just noticed that, too!! Yes, don’t read my essay until you have read the whole book, as it gives a few spoilers away…I was thinking of you as I wrote it though, as I advise on closely reading some of the critical material around it as well, as it really enhances the reading of the book- something you are always telling us! :)
Ooh I’m so excited to come back once I’ve read it, then!! It’s funny: I actually started reading it on a holiday-cabin weekend earlier this summer, and I felt I couldn’t concentrate closely enough to give it the right attention. This validates me going back to it, ruler & pen at the ready!
I can't wait to hear what your take on it is! 😀
I saw the Peter Weir film and never read Lindsay's story. For some reason, Golding's "Lord of the Flies" and the Marabar Caves sequence in Forster's, "A Passage to India" (read it in high school) came to mind. I watched it again, a few years ago and I made the same connections with Golding and Forster stories. At the beginning of the "picnic" sequence, it felt like something girls would get up to on a day in the boonies, out of the sight of "Miss Jean Brodie". But the story makes a sudden turn veering away from the discipline and repression of a school for girls––the nasty empirical world––to glowing sunlight around, the very photogenic actress, Anne-Louis Lambert, quickly progressing into the non-material realm and an unsatisfying denouement. It was a jolt for me, because (in 1975) I thought the story was based on a real incident––a mystery that was solved.
Thanks, Ron. Yes, it does have the ring of a true story or mystery to it, and I think this has been an often queried assumption. I get your connection with those earlier texts, too, especially the way the girls split off and climb the rocks, leaving the less popular girl behind.
This is definitely one of those haunting books that stays with you for weeks after you finish it. Your essay is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this classic!
It is SO haunting! Thank you for reading ☺
What perfect timing! My hold on Picnic at Hanging Rock just came in from the library yesterday and having read your essay, I can't wait to dive in!
- S
Excellent!! Serendipity :)
Ooh, I loved reading this! I remember watching the film as a teenager and being absolutely mesmerized by it. I read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie last year and really enjoyed it, so I’ll have to give this novel a try!
I definitely think you’ll enjoy it, Kelsey! Be interesting to see if you find it similar to Brodie as well :)
I was obsessed with this story when I was younger, and it still holds power for me. A classic.
Thanks, Eleanor! I know, it has such a strange but cool vibe to it, doesn't it?
Exactly that, a touch of the teenage hysteria, a really good scoop of psycho-horror and all wrapped up in an Edwardian basket of Tales of the Unexpected. There are places I go which can only be described as having “a touch of Picnic at Hanging Rock about them”. It’s become a life long reference point.
I love “a touch of Picnic at Hanging Rock about them” as a phrase and may have to adopt it! :)
I am embarrassed to admit it but since we are among friends - I have not even heard of this book before. Trying to set those feelings aside and focus on how excited I am now to read it! Sounds right up my alley! I love your reviews, Kate!
Thanks, Petya! It's a strange, funny, unusual book. I can't wait to hear what you think about it! 😀
Yet another book go my tbr list. Not that I'm complaining!
Haha! and I’m not apologising for recommending great books ; )
Kate, I loved reading Picnic at Hanging Rock and loved the movie. I might revisit it again after reading your post.
Thanks, Josephine! That's good to hear, I hope you enjoy a re-read 😀
Great essay! I loved this book, as you say it’s spooky and dark but humorous too - the story is told in such a matter-of-fact, almost sarcastic tone at times. It definitely reminds me of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I didn’t know about the links to colonialism and control. I’ll have to do some more research on that :)
Thanks! It's fascinating how the links have been made. I agree on the sarcasm as well. You might like 'The Virgin Suicides', which again has a similar feel to it. Thank you for reading 😀
This is another book on my reading list. I might even invest in the film, too. :) Great piece, as always.
Thanks! 😀
Gosh, this brought things back. In the late 1970s my Scottish secondary school showed the Peter Weir film to the top three year groups in the school (an end of term treat for the older ones? No idea), and it was mesmerising. Utterly haunting. I was transfixed, and have never forgotten the imagery or the actors in their roles. I had no idea that the film was based on a novel: thank you for that.
Thank you, Kate, what a memory!! It would be interesting to see if the book lives up your memory of the film 😀
I’m so curious - looks like a great read esp after the Jia Tolentino plug and comparison. Thanks for the interesting read Kate!
Thanks, Kate! I thought you might already have read it, too. Definitely recommend :)
An untidy ending for a dark, mysterious book is in line with what my husband appreciates in some horror films. Life is not straightforward, so why should a hard story be wrapped up neatly? (I am not a fan of horror, so I learn vicariously through him about the genre.)
Thanks Renee. Yes, that's a good point about horror (and life), it is very rarely tied up with a neat bow.
Thanks for this, Kate, I enjoyed reading your piece. The novel is certainly not overlooked in Australia! I didn't like the recent television adaptation much, but the film is wonderful. You may be interested to know if you didn't that Sydney Theatre Company is doing a new stage adaptation in 2025: https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2025/picnic-at-hanging-rock
Thank you, Samuel! (How are you, btw? I've missed your newsletters!)
I think honestly I was referencing my own overlooking the novel; somewhat remiss of me to have only come to it fairly recently, and I really enjoyed it. I've also forced it onto my daughter, who is also enjoying it. I haven't seen either the 1975 film (which I would like to see) or the series (not so much based on your feedback!) A stage adaptation sounds interesting. Thanks for reading :)
Ah, thanks, Kate! I'm very well, hope you are. Life and work have taken over Substack. But I haven't left! And I do enjoy your weekly essay. The film, with its painterly Heidelberg School visual aesthetic, is well worth seeing.