Kirjahaku

Jonah by Louis Stone. Jonah, a hunchback larrikin, lives in a Sydney slum where he is the leader of the local "Push", a street gang. But his life changes when he becomes father to a son, and he strives to break away from his previous life.

Louis Stone (21 October 1871 - 23 September 1935) was an Australian novelist and playwright. Around 1908 Stone married Abigail Allen and also began to write a novel Jonah, published in London in 1911. According to Geoffrey Dutton, Stone was intimately familiar with the setting for Jonah, spending time in Waterloo and Paddy's market, studying the local larrikins and their speech. The novel was warmly accepted by H G. Wells, Galsworthy and George Bernard Shaw. Unfortunately it was not a financial success, until popularity was finally attained in the nineteen sixties and seventies after it was put on high school reading lists.

"Jonah" by Louis Stone is a compelling novel rooted in Australian literature, offering a poignant exploration of social realism and cultural conflict. Set against the backdrop of the vast Australian outback, Stone's narrative delves deep into themes of identity, prejudice, and social justice. Through intricate character development, readers are drawn into the life of Jonah, a protagonist grappling with moral integrity amidst a society rife with prejudice and cultural tension. As a literary masterpiece, "Jonah" navigates the complexities of human nature with a keen eye for detail and authenticity. Stone's portrayal of Jonah's journey towards redemption is both heartfelt and thought-provoking, as he confronts the challenges of navigating a world defined by social inequality and moral ambiguity. The novel's exploration of social realism resonates with readers, offering a mirror to contemporary societal issues while highlighting the enduring struggle for justice and equality. Stone's evocative prose captures the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape while illuminating the harsh realities of life in the outback. Through Jonah's story, Stone invites readers to reflect on the power of resilience and the capacity for growth in the face of adversity.

As Stone's most successful novel, Jonah broke new ground with its realistic and artistic representations of a city. Published in London in 1911, Jonah relates the story of Joe Jones, larrikin leader of a city 'push'.