''The Well'' is a Miles Franklin Award-winning 1986 novel by Australian-

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

author

Elizabeth Jolley Monica Elizabeth Jolley AO (4 June 1923 – 13 February 2007) was an English-born Australian writer who settled in Western Australia in the late 1950s and forged an illustrious literary career there. She was 53 when her first book was publishe ...

Synopsis

The novel tells the story of two women, Hester and her young ward Katherine, and their relationship with one another. Hester, who has lived alone on a farm with her father for many years, is possessive of the much younger Katherine. The relationship between the two women becomes strained after an incident where Katherine hits a mysterious creature with the roo bar on their four-wheel drive. It is left unclear whether the creature is an animal or an intruder who has stolen a large sum of money from the house. When Katherine begins to hear voices from the well and becomes racked with guilt, Hester goes to extreme measures to maintain her influence over her young ward.

Awards

The novel won the

Miles Franklin Literary Award The Miles Franklin Literary Award is an annual literary prize awarded to "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases". The award was set up according to the will of Miles Franklin (1879–19 ...

and the FAW Barbara Ramsden Award for the Book of the Year in 1986.

Critical reception

Drusilla Modjeska said in ''

The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...

'', "Jolley's characteristic wit and humour is here but it doesn't dominate. It comes as flashes in a more sombre novel which shares the gothic undertones of her prize-winning ''Milk and Honey''. It is her best yet." ''

The Times and Democrat ''The Times and Democrat'' is a daily newspaper in Orangeburg, South Carolina. ''The Times and Democrat'' is owned by Lee Enterprises, a company based in Davenport, Iowa. It has a daily circulation of 13,395. History and origins ''The Times and ...

'' said, "This novel demonstrates once again that Elizabeth Jolley is a writer of wit, high moral purpose and great conviction." The '' Edmonton Journal'' noted, "with wry humour, Jolley explores compassionately the effects of loneliness and isolation."

HSC text

''The Well'' was a Higher School Certificate text in

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

in the 90s. The Call to Australia Party sought to have it removed on the basis it "encourages occult activities, illicit activities, lesbian relationships, self-centred indulgence."

Film adaptation

In 1997, a film of the same name was adapted from this novel. The film was directed by

Samantha Lang Samantha Lang is an Australian film director and screenwriter. Her production company is Handmaid Media. Early life and education Samantha Lang was born in London, England, migrating to Australia with her family at the age of 14. She attend ...

, from a screenplay by Laura Jones and featured

Pamela Rabe Pamela may refer to: *''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'', a novel written by Samuel Richardson in 1740 *Pamela (name), a given name and, rarely, a surname *Pamela Spence, a Turkish pop-rock singer. Known as her stage name "Pamela" * MSC ''Pamela'', ...

and

Miranda Otto Miranda Otto (born 16 December 1967) is an Australian actress. She is the daughter of actors Barry and Lindsay Otto and the paternal half-sister of actress Gracie Otto. Otto began her acting career in 1986 at age 18 and appeared in a variety of ...

.''Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office''
Internet Movie DataBase - The Well
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Well, The 1986 British novels 1986 Australian novels Miles Franklin Award-winning works Australian novels adapted into films British novels adapted into films Viking Press books