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The solid mandala

Patrick White

1966309 pagesabout 5–7 hours
1966
first published
  • 1966Viking Press · 309 pages · ENG
  • 1966Eyre & Spottiswoode · 316 pages · ENG
  • 1966Eyre & Spottiswoode · 317 pages · ENG
  • 1969Penguin · 316 pages · ENGISBN 9780140029758
  • 1976Cape · 317 pages · ENGISBN 9780224012478
  • 1983Penguin Books · 315 pages · ENG
  • 1995Vintage Books · 320 pagesISBN 9780099324416

Arthur and Waldo Brown were born twins and spent their childhood, their youth, middle-age and retirement together. They shared everything, even a girl, but their view of things differed. Waldo, a retired librarian, saw everything and understood little. Arthur was the fool who didn't bother to look. He understood. The book is set in Sydney, Australia in the early 20th century. The two men, sons of English immigrants, are never fully accepted by others even in their old age. They walk holding hands and this causes a stir among the local Aussies. Their somewhat sad lives are rather dull and drab.

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