AustLit
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Dessaix explores the life of Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev, particularly his relationship with the opera singer Pauline Viardot and her husband. Intrinsic to this exploration is Dessaix's journey to each of the houses where Turgenev and the Viardots lived. Within the narrative Dessaix intersperses his own reflections on the nature and meaning of life, including his understanding of the soul.
Notes
-
Dedication: For Natalie Staples.
-
Epigraph: Love is the final metaphor of sexuality. It's cornerstone is freedom: the mystery of the person. Octavio Paz. The Double Flame.
-
Epigraph: He wasn't a profound thinker or anything at all - just a piddling, laughable man. He assumed a Greek name, dressed like the Greeks, learned to behave more or less like a Greek; and all the time he was terrified he'd spoil his reasonably good image by coming out with barbaric howlers in Greek and the Alexandrians, in their usual way, would start to make fun of him, vile people that they are. From 'A Prince from Western Libya', C. P. Cavafy (translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard).
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
'So Completely French'
2012
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 341 2012; (p. 4) Leigh Swinbourne expresses his concern at Robert Dessaix's 'invention' of a major figure in Dessaix's Twilight of Love: Travels with Turgenev. Dessaix had discussed his narrative 'invention' in the 2011 Seymour Lecture, 'Pushing against the Dark'. -
As Robert was Saying
2012
single work
column
— Appears in: The Monthly , March no. 76 2012; (p. 46-49) -
Aspects of Love
Carla Sari
(interviewer),
2007
single work
interview
— Appears in: Meanjin , April vol. 66 no. 1 2007; (p. 150-157) Cara Sari discusses 'Love of persons, places, cultures, languages' with Robert Dessaix. (Meanjin) -
Love and Death
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: Meanjin , vol. 64 no. 1-2 2005; (p. 38-44)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
A Living Bridge
2005
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February no. 268 2005; (p. 42)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose
-
Books
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane News , 25 - 31 August no. 505 2004; (p. 30)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
Into the Twilight
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 28 August 2004; (p. 7)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
The Heart of the Matter
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 28 August 2004; (p. 5)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
Passion of a Free Thinker
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 28-29 August 2004; (p. 10)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
Lishnost
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 264 2004; (p. 34-35)
— Review of Twilight of Love : Travels with Turgenev 2004 single work prose -
On Turgenev's Trail in Powers of Love
2004
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 20 November 2004; (p. 15-16) -
Aspects of Love
Carla Sari
(interviewer),
2007
single work
interview
— Appears in: Meanjin , April vol. 66 no. 1 2007; (p. 150-157) Cara Sari discusses 'Love of persons, places, cultures, languages' with Robert Dessaix. (Meanjin) -
As Robert was Saying
2012
single work
column
— Appears in: The Monthly , March no. 76 2012; (p. 46-49) -
'So Completely French'
2012
single work
correspondence
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 341 2012; (p. 4) Leigh Swinbourne expresses his concern at Robert Dessaix's 'invention' of a major figure in Dessaix's Twilight of Love: Travels with Turgenev. Dessaix had discussed his narrative 'invention' in the 2011 Seymour Lecture, 'Pushing against the Dark'.
Awards
- 2007 winner Tasmania Book Prizes — Margaret Scott Prize
- 2005 shortlisted 'The Nib': CAL Waverley Library Award for Literature
- 2005 winner Victorian Premier's Literary Awards — The Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-Fiction
- 2005 shortlisted New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction
Last amended 17 Oct 2019 14:30:17
Export this record