The Drover's Wife
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1892
11
Short Story • Fiction
1892
Adult
16-18 years
"The Drover's Wife" by Henry Lawson, set in the Australian outback, follows an unnamed woman living in an isolated hut with her four children while her husband is away droving. Over the course of one night, she confronts a dangerous snake that has entered their home. As she waits to kill the snake, she reflects on the various perils she has faced alone, including floods, bushfires, and drought.
Gritty
Melancholic
Challenging
Dark
Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife evokes strong imagery and realism, capturing the struggles of a solitary bush woman. Reviews praise its vivid storytelling and emotional depth but note its bleakness and lack of character development. While some readers find it a poignant snapshot of resilience, others feel its simplicity limits narrative engagement.
A reader who appreciates stark, pioneering life stories set in the Australian outback would enjoy Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife. Fans of Willa Cather's My Ántonia or Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie will find resonance in Lawson's vivid depiction of rural resilience and maternal strength.
11
Short Story • Fiction
1892
Adult
16-18 years
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