Murray Bail

Eucalyptus

Published 1998

On a property in western New South Wales a man named Holland lives with his daughter, Ellen. Over the years, as she grows into a beautiful young woman, he plants hundreds of different eucalyptus trees on his land, filling in the landscape, making a virtual outdoor museum of trees. When Ellen is nineteen, he announces his decision: she may marry only the man who can correctly name the species of each and every gum tree on his property.

Holden's Performance

Published 1987

The Pages

Published 1998