#NonFicNov Kylie Tennant (1912-1988)

• Author: Kylie Tennant
• Title: The Man on the Headland  (151 pg)  1971
• Genre: memoir

Introduction:

1. Kylie paints the impression of a bushman
2. discovers the headland near Diamond Head.
3. He is single, solitary but friendly.  
4. Ernie is the quintessentail bushman of Australia’s past.
5. The Man on the Headland is also the story of Kylie,
6. …her schoolmaster husband, Roddy,
7. …and her two children, both born during her time in Laurieton.

Conclusion:

1. What a great little book this is…who would have thought?
2. Kylie Tennant has been on my TBR for four years!
3. A heart-warming story about Ernie Metcalf, a bushman solitary but not lonely
4. …his family and his neighbours The Roddys.
5. Ms Tennant has made her book so engaging because the Roddys 
6. are none other than Kylie Tennant and her husband (writer and schoolteacher).
7. The theme is the importance of reaching out the hand of friendship
8. and weaving throughout the story a lovely dosis of humour!
9. Strong point: Ms. Tennant uses many literary techniques such as 
10. similes and personification  to build imagery and give words more power.
11. I think the greatest compliment I can give Kylie Tennant is that I want
12. to read  more of her books especially  The Battlers..

Characters: 

1. Ernie Metcalfe – ” …reputation as the mad hermit of Dimandead.”
2. Lost romance – Bertha Bullen
3. Elder sister – Clara
4. Brother-in-law – Bert Mullen (Clara’s husband)
5. Nephew – Bert (Clara’s son)
6. Nephew – Harry (George’s son)
7. Brother – Jack
8. Brother – Albert
9. Elder brother – George-with-one-arm
10. Grandfather-  Welsh poacher
11. Father – John (bullock driver)
12. “The Mother” – as one speaks of a deity (6 sons, 4 daughters)  died 1933
13. Kylie Tennant Rodd
14. Lewis  “Roddy” Rodd 
15. Benison Rodd (daughter)
16. Bim Rodd (son)