Ethel Sybil Turner

Seven Little Australians Ethel Sybil Turner

Seven Little Australians is a children's adventure story by Ethel Turner, considered one of the greatest classics of Australian literature.

Published in 1894, this story depicts seven youngsters as they grow up in late 19th century Australia, in and around the Sydney area. Turner aptly portrays her characters as ordinary, mischievous children with a austere but well-meaning father who is a Captain of the armed forces. The Captain's struggle to express his emotions is a running theme of the novel; the stereotypical male of the time being encouraged to maintain a strong, generally silent demeanor.

The children's young stepmother fails to apply discipline: noting her inability to bring order, the children create havoc. However, in freely getting up to mischief the youngsters encounter adventure after adventure in their locality. Ranging in age from four to sixteen, they grapple with many aspects of growing up, Meg - the eldest girl - for instance experiences an early romance, while the younger kids frequently play pranks.

Authentically depicting rural and urban Australia as it was during the nation's infancy, this novel is unusual for coming-of-age stories in that it makes no attempt at overt moralizing. Nevertheless the perils of the world, and the potential for calamity even in a life defined by peace and discovery, are ever-present.

Having received multiple adaptations for television, radio and the big screen, Seven Little Australians has long cemented its status as a fictional classic.