Picnic at Hanging Rock

by Joan Lindsay
Picnic at Hanging Rock cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Gothic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 11572
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781922268310
  • Publisher: Text Publishing
  • Published: 2019-09-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a reinvigoration of Joan Lindsay's iconic Australian classic, featuring stylish new cover art and a brand new introduction from young Australian writer Romy Ash. This enigmatic tale has captivated generations of readers with its atmospheric and mysterious narrative, set in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the disappearance of several schoolgirls and their teacher during a picnic at the eerie Hanging Rock. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of the unknown and the unsettling beauty of the Australian landscape./n/nThe book's new edition brings a fresh perspective to the classic, making it accessible to new readers while retaining its timeless allure. Lindsay's masterful storytelling and the novel's rich historical context provide a compelling backdrop for the mysterious events that unfold. Picnic at Hanging Rock is a must-read for those who enjoy atmospheric, thought-provoking fiction that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural.

Reviews
Karissa Reads Books · Karissa · 2023-05-25
captivating 3.50

The landscape is beautifully written, making it both appealing and dangerous. The mystery and atmosphere are compelling, but some plot points may feel thin.

Karissa appreciates the vivid and dual nature of the landscape in the book, which she finds both alluring and perilous. She is captivated by the mystery and the eerie atmosphere that Lindsay creates. However, she notes that some of the plot points might feel a bit thin, and the pacing could be improved. Despite this, she finds the novel to be a haunting and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Lindsay writes of the landscape beautifully – making it seem both appealing and dangerous.

    The mystery and atmosphere are compelling.

    Some plot points may feel thin.

Fiction Fan Blog · Fiction Fan · 2022-04-13
brilliant 4.00

The final scene with Mrs. Appleyard is brilliant and the ambiguous ending is satisfying. The book's atmosphere is sinister and unsettling.

Fiction Fan is particularly impressed with the final scene involving Mrs. Appleyard, which she finds brilliant and impactful. She appreciates the ambiguity of the ending, which she believes is a strength of the novel. The atmosphere throughout the book is described as sinister and unsettling, creating a sense of unease that pays off in the final chapters. She also notes that the book's brevity adds to its effectiveness.

Quick quotes

    The final Mrs Appleyard scene in the book is so brilliant!

    It's sinister and unsettling, and I would say that it is absolutely paid off in the final chapters of the novel.

    What is ambiguous is the cause.

Patrick Treardon · Patrick Treardon · 2019-06-23
masterful 4.50

The novel is well-crafted with a masterful touch in the disappearance of the self. The atmosphere is dreamy and mysterious.

Patrick Treardon finds 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' to be a very well-crafted novel, particularly praising the masterful touch in the disappearance of the self. He highlights the dreamy and mysterious atmosphere that Lindsay creates, which he finds to be one of the novel's strongest aspects. He also appreciates the ambiguity and the way the book leaves room for interpretation. Overall, he finds the novel to be a compelling and atmospheric read.

Quick quotes

    The most masterful touch in Joan Lindsay's very well-crafted novel Picnic at Hanging Rock is the disappearance of the self.

    The atmosphere is dreamy and mysterious.

    The book leaves room for interpretation.

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