Apollo and Thelma: A True Tall Tale

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

InApollo and Thelma, broadcaster and lawyer Jon Faine shares a yarn that has enthralled him forforty years,taking him from Melbournes depression-era slums to the isolation of the outback.

Apollo and Thelma have been a constant in Jon Faines life for decades. As a young lawyer, he was captivated by his favourite client, the Mighty Apollo, a legendary strongman and circus star, famous for pulling trams with his teeth and having an elephant stand on him. Apollos sister, Thelma, on the other hand, ruthless and rugged, had survived decades running solo one of the most remote pubs in the outback until unexpectedly dying, leaving behind a complicated estate.

Befriending Apollo and immersinghimself in Thelmas estate, Jon is forced to untangle a long line of astonishing stories and episodes in our distant and recent history that keep intersecting with his own. Via the circuitous route of these two larger-than-life characters alongside a supporting cast of characters from the world of politics, law, literature and media Jon reflects on their stories and is inevitably forced to rethink his own.

Apollo and Thelmais a uniquely Australian story, beautifully told.

Reviews

'Its intimate, yet deals with massive, very Australian issues. It made me weepIt made me question whether life is chaos or if indeed there are big swirling, beautiful patterns if only we cared to look. Im so glad Faine looked.' Jaye Chin-Dusting, Mary Martin Bookshop

'The Australian book of the year. I was riveted. Peter Goers, ABC Radio Adelaide

'intriguing and entertaining mix of biography, memoir and social commentary'Steven Carroll, The Age
Its intimate, yet deals with massive, very Australian issues. It made me weepIt made me question whether life is chaos or if indeed there are big swirling, beautiful patterns if only we cared to look. Im so glad Faine looked. -- Jaye Chin-Dusting * Mary Martin Bookshop *
The Australian book of the year. I was riveted. -- Peter Goers * ABC Radio Adelaide, Evenings *

Author Bio

Jon Faine is an award-winning journalist who, until October 2019, hosted the agenda-setting morning broadcast for ABC Radio in Melbourne for more than twenty years. Before joining the ABC in 1989 to host The Law Report on Radio National, Jon had practised for seven years in both commercial litigation and as a legal aid/human rights advocate. He regularly contributes to major newspapers with opinion pieces, has been nominated for three Walkley awards, and does countless conference presentations, panel moderations, guest lectures and public events. His best-selling travel book was published by ABC books. Jon is well known for his provocative and probing debate, quick wit and thought-provoking ideas.