An Older Kind of Magic

An Older Kind of Magic follows three children who live and work at Sydney's City Hall with their caretaker father. As they go about their daily routines in the building, they begin to sense ancient spirits from Aboriginal mythology dwelling in the modern city. The siblings discover that these spirit creatures have always inhabited Sydney, hiding in shadows and secret places as the city grew around them. Their encounters with these beings lead them into a mystery involving the fate of both the magical and human worlds. The story moves between ordinary scenes of mid-century urban Australian life and moments where ancient magic breaks through into the present. The children must navigate both realms while trying to understand their role in events that connect past and present. This novel explores themes of connection to place, the persistence of ancient wisdom in the modern world, and the overlap between seemingly separate realities. The book considers how old and new ways of seeing can coexist in an urban landscape.

Readers appreciate Wrightson's blend of Aboriginal mythology with modern-day Sydney, noting it creates a unique atmosphere compared to standard fantasy books. Many commend her respectful handling of Indigenous lore and the authentic Australian setting. Readers like: - Natural dialogue between child characters - Detailed descriptions of 1960s Sydney - Balance of magical and everyday elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first few chapters - Some mythological references can confuse readers unfamiliar with Aboriginal culture - Limited availability makes it hard to find copies Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Reader quote: "The way Wrightson weaves Aboriginal spirits into downtown Sydney makes the familiar feel mysterious again." Note: Limited online reviews exist due to the book's 1967 publication date and its primary circulation in Australian libraries. Most discussion appears in academic journals and Australian literary forums rather than consumer review sites.

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🌿 Patricia Wrightson uniquely blended Aboriginal Australian mythology with modern fantasy, being one of the first authors to respectfully incorporate Indigenous Australian spirits into children's literature. 🏛️ The book is set in Sydney, Australia, with much of the action taking place around the city's iconic Opera House during its construction period in the 1960s. 🎨 The story features spirits called "Hidden People" who are based on actual creatures from Aboriginal folklore, including the Nargun, a fearsome stone creature. 🏆 Patricia Wrightson won the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1986, becoming the first Australian to receive this prestigious international recognition in children's literature. 🌏 Through books like "An Older Kind of Magic," Wrightson helped create a uniquely Australian fantasy genre, moving away from the traditional European fairy-tale model that dominated children's literature at the time.