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'A variation on a theme – a plane aloft and a lone occupant who does not know how to fly – has an Australian setting, a four way communication set-up, and constant climax build-up. An accident causes Dick Garnett to kick the throttle of his Piper Tri-pacer and his fiancee, Janet, who hates flying, finds herself airborne, alone. Dick organizes the flying doctor base and Dave Jordan, who finally gets into touch by radio with Janet, calms her into learning the instrument panel, and makes arrangements for the flying field to stand by (she cannot land on the sheep station strip because floods will not permit an ambulance to get through). Janet, ready to break her engagement to Dick, will only listen to his brother but her fumblings bring Dick back to drive her into cooperation so that he can "talk her down". How he gets her to repeat flying manoeuvers until she is ready to head for the distant field, keeps her on course while maintaining the all-out radio contact, and waits for word of her landing...adds up to an aerial melodrama that does not let go.'
Source: Kirkus Reviews (https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-jefferis-4/solo-for-several-players/).
Adaptations
-
form
y
Solo for Several Players
London
:
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
,
1964
9375542
1964
single work
radio play
'Janet Osborne is sitting in a small aeroplane with the engine running, waiting for her fiance, Dick Garnett, to get in—when, suddenly, the 'plane moves off on its own. Janet cannot fly a 'plane.'
Source: Radio Times, 9 January 1964, p.43.
Notes
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Dramatised for radio: it is not clear whether the ABC production (which first aired on 25 January 1964) is the same adaptation as the BBC production (which first aired on 15 January 1964).
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An abridged version of the novel has been published in Ladies' Home Journal under the title 'On a Wing and a Prayer'.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
A Long Glowing Shadow
2011
single work
biography
— Appears in: Australian Author , September vol. 43 no. 3 2011; (p. 18) 'Judith Rodriguez on the enduring Legacy of Barbara Jefferis.' -
Spurred by Spite
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 10 February vol. 83 no. 4278 1962; (p. 50)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
Untitled
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Quadrant , Winter vol. 6 no. 3 1962; (p. 95-96)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
Untitled
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , March vol. 1 no. 5 1962; (p. 63)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
Fiction Chronicle
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin Quarterly , September vol. 21 no. 3 1962; (p. 377-380)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel ; The Far Road 1962 single work novel
-
Fiction Chronicle
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin Quarterly , September vol. 21 no. 3 1962; (p. 377-380)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel ; The Far Road 1962 single work novel -
Untitled
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , March vol. 1 no. 5 1962; (p. 63)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
Untitled
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: Quadrant , Winter vol. 6 no. 3 1962; (p. 95-96)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
Spurred by Spite
1962
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 10 February vol. 83 no. 4278 1962; (p. 50)
— Review of Solo for Several Players 1961 single work novel -
A Long Glowing Shadow
2011
single work
biography
— Appears in: Australian Author , September vol. 43 no. 3 2011; (p. 18) 'Judith Rodriguez on the enduring Legacy of Barbara Jefferis.'