THE WHITE GARDEN
a novel by Carmel Bird
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Copyright © Carmel Bird 1995.
All rights reserved.
The White Garden is a compelling portrait of a man whose lust for power is expressed in his treatment of psychiatric patients.
Seven women die in deep sleep therapy; the doctor rapes his patients in the Sleeping Beauty Ward. The sister of one of the doctor's victims becomes his nemesis.
The White Garden, published by University of Queensland Press (ISBN 0-7022-2821-4), was shortlisted for The Miles Franklin Award.
Chapter One:
The Elephant Thoughts of Dr Ambrose Goddard
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Violetta Letters
Writing in The Australian, critic Michael Sharkey called The White Garden 'a clever, wise and humane triumph'. You can read the review here.
In Antipodes, Nicholas Birns said: ' Bird's book is a splendid, plangent, and memorable achievement,
and a permanent contribution to Australian literature.' You can read the review here.