The Songlines

by Bruce Chatwin
The Songlines cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Travel and Adventure
Technical:
  • ID: 1690
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1987-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

The Songlines weaves a rich tapestry of adventure and cultural exploration as it follows a fictional journey around Alice Springs. The novel delves into the profound connection between songs, land, and identity, offering a unique perspective on the Australian landscape and its indigenous traditions. /n/nThrough vivid storytelling, the book explores the intricate relationship between music and geography, revealing how ancient songs serve as a navigational tool and a means of preserving cultural heritage. The fictional place names add a layer of mystique, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a world where the land itself sings a story.

Reviews
Vishy's Knight · 2021-04-28
ambivalent 3.50

The reviewer found the first half of the book engaging as a travelogue but felt the second half meandered. The book's essence lies in its exploration of ideas and connections.

The first half of the book is structured like a classic travelogue, with Chatwin immersing himself in Australian culture. However, the second half becomes more abstract, leaving the reviewer feeling disconnected. Despite this, the book's exploration of ideas and connections is notable.

Quick quotes

    The first half of the book is structured like a classic travelogue.

    The second half of the book meanders.

    The book's essence lies in its exploration of ideas and connections.

The Irish Times · 2018-07-28
enthusiastic 4.50

The book is praised for its exploration of Australia's heart and the concept of Songlines. It's a story of ideas and connections.

Bruce Chatwin's journey to Australia's Red Centre in search of the Songlines is a compelling exploration of the country's emotional and geographical heart. The book delves into the invisible pathways that crisscross the land, offering insights into the hopes and dreams of those he meets.

Quick quotes

    Bruce Chatwin goes to the Red Centre, Australia's geographical and emotional heart.

    He's looking for the Songlines, the invisible pathways which criss-cross the land.

    The book is a story of ideas in which two companions explore the hopes and dreams of those they encounter.

The Guardian · 2017-10-15
laudatory 4.50

The book is critically lauded and connects the reviewer to Chatwin's detailed observations. It explores hopes and dreams through travel and conversation.

The book is a best-selling, critically acclaimed work that delves into the heart of Australia. Through travel and dialogue, it explores the hopes and dreams of those encountered, creating a rich tapestry of ideas.

Quick quotes

    Chatwin's best-selling, critically lauded The Songlines followed two lightning trips.

    The book explores the hopes and dreams that animate both the travelers and the people they encounter.

    It is an imperfect book, but it forced the white world to gauge the depth of Indigenous knowledge.

ANZ LitLovers LitBlog · 2013-04-30
controversial 3.00

The book is seen as controversial due to its exploration of a theory described as 'nutty' by some critics. Despite this, it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on Aboriginal culture.

This reviewer acknowledges the controversy surrounding the book, particularly its exploration of a theory that has been criticized as 'nutty'. They note that while the book may not be universally accepted, it provides a unique and thought-provoking perspective on Aboriginal culture. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to challenge conventional views and spark debate, making it a significant contribution to the literature on Indigenous knowledge and culture. They also highlight the book's rich narrative and the depth of research that went into its creation, despite its controversial aspects.

Quick quotes

    The Songlines is a controversial work.

    Controversial because it espouses a theory described at eNotes as 'nutty' in Magill's Survey of World Literature.

    It offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on Aboriginal culture.

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