The Sawdust House by David Whish-Wilson
About David Whish-Wilson
David Whish-Wilson is the author of eight novels and three creative non-fiction books. He was born in Newcastle, NSW but raised in Singapore, Victoria and WA. He left Australia aged eighteen to live for a decade in Europe, Africa and Asia, where he worked as a barman, actor, streetseller, petty criminal, labourer, exterminator, factory worker, gardener, clerk, travel agent, teacher and drug trial guinea pig.
David’s first novel in the Frank Swann crime series, Line of Sight (Penguin Australia) was shortlisted for a Ned Kelly Award in 2012. He has since written three more in the series – the first three being published in Germany by Suhrkamp Verlag. David wrote the Perth book in the NewSouth Books city series, which was short-listed for a WA Premiers Book Award. Three of David’s crime novels have been published in Germany by Suhrkamp Verlag.
David also teaches in the prison system in Perth and previously in Fiji, where he started the countries first prisoner writing program. He currently lives in Fremantle, Western Australia with his partner and three kids, where he teaches creative writing at Curtin University. For further information, visit:
A Quote from David Whish-Wilson
“As much as the information encoded in our DNA, we are each of us made of the stories of the people who came before us. If we are very lucky, we might come to know some of these people, and some of their stories. When approached with respect, and humility, historical fiction becomes a means of writing into those vast silences of forgotten, misrepresented, ignored or neglected story. Immersed in these story-worlds, we sense the kinship of fellow-feeling, the randomness of fateful moments, or the tragedy of missed opportunities. We emerge back into our own time, alive to the same truths, joys, hauntings and regrets that shape our own story, and of those around us. This is the understanding we gain from stories shared, and stories felt, so different from mere knowledge. As a reader, Australian historical fiction has been a great teacher, and as a writer, it is therefore a special honour to be on a longlist for an award that celebrates the contributions of fellow writers, working to bring the old stories to life.”
About The Sawdust House
San Francisco, 1856. Irish-born James ‘Yankee’ Sullivan is being held in jail by the Committee of Vigilance, which aims to rout the Australian criminals from the town. As Sullivan’s mistress, seeks his release and as his fellow prisoners are taken away to be hanged, the convict tells a story of triumph and tragedy: of his daring escape from penal servitude in Australia; how he became America’s most celebrated boxer; and how he met the true love of his life.
