Description
Ian David Roberts has written a narrative of great beauty and economy of language. The author wears his erudition lightly and invests the Chinese perspective on this period of history with cultural depth and moving authenticity.
‘The Celestials is a marvel – radical and contemplative, adventurous and moving.’ Barry Hill, poet and historian
‘The Celestials is profound meditation on the quality of human pilgrimage through the landscapes of China and Australia. An epic and rich narrative. Vitality, power, pathos and keenly humane observation, resonances which touch and elucidate the world of contemporary Australia.’ Richard Mills AM, composer and Artistic Director, Victorian Opera
‘The Celestials is a love song to this country. As a Eurasian woman I was deeply moved.’ Vanessa Maria Bates, playwright
‘Writing of heart-felt delicacy miraculously turns one of Australia’s best-known episodes on its head with radical reimagining, yet drawn from intriguing research of the historical record. The Celestials is a revelation in its stillness as it recounts well-known events of outrageous violence and rebellion.’ Jonathan Mills, composer and director of festivals in Edinburgh and Melbourne
