Books › The songs of a sentimental bloke
The songs of a sentimental bloke
157 pages
A charming, slang-soaked verse narrative about a rough street brawler who is entirely disarmed by love.
What it feels like
Reading this classic verse narrative feels like stepping into a bustling, early twentieth-century Australian pub and listening to a tough guy unexpectedly bare his soul. The pace is brisk and rhythmic, driven by a bouncing meter and a thick, colorful layer of historical working-class slang that takes a moment to tune your ear to, but quickly becomes infectious. Beneath the rough-and-tumble vernacular lies a surprisingly tender, earnest mood. It is a deeply romantic experience, capturing the humorous and humbling transition from a cynical street brawler to a devoted, lovestruck partner. This is a perfect read for those who love linguistic time capsules, rhythmic poetry, and stories where a tough exterior melts away to reveal a heart of pure gold.
- Mood
- warm
- nostalgic
- lively
- romantic
- Tone
- affectionate
- humorous
- earnest
- colloquial
- self-deprecating
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- transformative power of love · working-class identity · finding redemption in domesticity · the Australian larrikin spirit
- The writing
- Written in rhythmic, rhyming verse heavily steeped in early twentieth-century Australian working-class slang.
- The arc
- Moves from cynical, rough-and-tumble posturing to a deeply earnest, tender surrender to love and domestic peace.
- Who it's for
- Readers who appreciate historical vernacular, rhythmic poetry, and charmingly rough-around-the-edges protagonists finding their soft spots.
Content notes
- dated language
- alcohol use
- mild historical sexism
About the book
On cover: The sentimental bloke.
RBSC copy 1: Advertisements dated: February 1916. Light green cloth binding.
RBSC Another issue: with 24 p. of advertisements at end, dated: June 1916. Green cloth binding.
Description from Open Library.
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