The Doubleman

Winner of the Miles Franklin in 1985 and certainly an interesting choice. The writing is excellent and the story is fine but the presentation just feels too forced. It now has a certain feel that it may have been of its time.

Richard Miller a polio ridden child of WW2 takes his enquiring mind and his actors needs to the bright lights of Melbourne and then Sydney and drags himself into the culturally changing world of the 1960's. The reader is constantly engaged in the Doubleman thoughts of a couple of characters with Richard, for me at least, being the most important. His thinking seems to lead from one direction to the other with a final burst of religious idealism that makes for a thoughtful ending though one that leaves the reader to decide what is happening.

The author is seemingly aware, or been a fan, of the acoustic and electric folk upheavals of the 60's and also aware of the influence of occultist Aleister Crowley. For me this lay heavily on the story late and as much as I enjoyed the book it just seemed a slightly ham fisted attempt to make the underground scene in Sydney something it was not. One historical error is that the band that is central to the story is an electric folk band and their time is 1964/65 with their big influence Pentangle. Pentangle did not form until 1967. I doubt that the author cared for pedants like me though. I had never heard of magic mushroom cookies either. Maybe someone can tell me different on that.

In the end an enjoyable read, very good writer and look forward to reading more by him, but not a book worthy of the Miles Franklin Award in my view.