Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Fiction, Novel
Paperback book with illustrations
Julian Davies‘ sixth and most unusual novel, is a contemporary social satire closely based on Aldous Huxley’s first novel (from 1921), Crome Yellow. This playful response to another book is startlingly furthered by the text being surrounded by almost 400 drawings by Phil Day, whose hand-made books are collected by many state and university libraries, including The National Library of Australia. In this lively collaboration between words and pictures, the illustrations form a closely related parallel visual text that weave around and interact with the unfolding story. Set in multi-millionaire Mitchell Rimbush’s bush retreat, where artists and writers on the make gather with their wealthy admirers, conversation is the one constant prerequisite.
“Crow Mellow is a sophisticated hybrid, a marriage of words and visual images… Davies plus Day is a new creature entirely.” Sydney Morning Herald, The Age
“Davies and Day have ‘succeeded with Crow Mellow in achieving that difficult double of producing something different that is also accessible and fun to read.” Whispering Gums
“… Crow Mellow is the kind of book that will draw each reader in differently. Its genius is that whatever… most excites or amuses, no matter how fleetingly it might seem, it does not occur in isolation. The book works as a novel of ideas not because each idea is succinctly explored, but rather because each forms part of a larger conversation… The drawings are nearly as crucial as the words on the page… they provide a visceral counterpoint to the tightly written prose.” Newtown Review of Books
“Crow Mellow is a most unusual book, not like any other that I’ve read.” ANZLitLovers
“This tribute, cum spin off, cum riff, cum admirably original novel, is actually a consistently intelligent, sometimes intriguing tale…” and “has…life, grace, and wit as well a few grotesques.” The Canberra Times
“…we need more books like Crow Mellow – ambitious, unruly and utterly strange.” Australian Book Review
Julian Davies is the author of seven novels. He has also written various stories, and essays, including Lost Art (2012), a collaboration with Phil Day on cultural dysfunction in the art world. The book, Backlash – Australia’s conflict of values over live exports, (2016)was written in partnership with Bidda Jones, Chief Scientist at RSPCA Australia.
Fiction, Novel
Paperback book with illustrations
Julian Davies‘ sixth and most unusual novel, is a contemporary social satire closely based on Aldous Huxley’s first novel (from 1921), Crome Yellow. This playful response to another book is startlingly furthered by the text being surrounded by almost 400 drawings by Phil Day, whose hand-made books are collected by many state and university libraries, including The National Library of Australia. In this lively collaboration between words and pictures, the illustrations form a closely related parallel visual text that weave around and interact with the unfolding story. Set in multi-millionaire Mitchell Rimbush’s bush retreat, where artists and writers on the make gather with their wealthy admirers, conversation is the one constant prerequisite.
“Crow Mellow is a sophisticated hybrid, a marriage of words and visual images… Davies plus Day is a new creature entirely.” Sydney Morning Herald, The Age
“Davies and Day have ‘succeeded with Crow Mellow in achieving that difficult double of producing something different that is also accessible and fun to read.” Whispering Gums
“… Crow Mellow is the kind of book that will draw each reader in differently. Its genius is that whatever… most excites or amuses, no matter how fleetingly it might seem, it does not occur in isolation. The book works as a novel of ideas not because each idea is succinctly explored, but rather because each forms part of a larger conversation… The drawings are nearly as crucial as the words on the page… they provide a visceral counterpoint to the tightly written prose.” Newtown Review of Books
“Crow Mellow is a most unusual book, not like any other that I’ve read.” ANZLitLovers
“This tribute, cum spin off, cum riff, cum admirably original novel, is actually a consistently intelligent, sometimes intriguing tale…” and “has…life, grace, and wit as well a few grotesques.” The Canberra Times
“…we need more books like Crow Mellow – ambitious, unruly and utterly strange.” Australian Book Review
Julian Davies is the author of seven novels. He has also written various stories, and essays, including Lost Art (2012), a collaboration with Phil Day on cultural dysfunction in the art world. The book, Backlash – Australia’s conflict of values over live exports, (2016)was written in partnership with Bidda Jones, Chief Scientist at RSPCA Australia.
