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Elyne Mitchell: A Daughter Remembers
In 1958, Elyne Mitchell′s The Silver Brumby was published to acclaim and quickly became a much-loved classic of Australian children′s literature. Now, for the centenary of Elyne′s birth, her daughter Honor Auchinleck tells the story of the exceptional woman, and mother, behind the mask of the famous author. Writer, daughter of a Great War hero, wife of a politician and Changi survivor, champion skier and passionate environmentalist, Elyne Mitchell led a life of accomplishment and privilege. But strong undercurrents of discord and misunderstanding flowed beneath the enchanted surface, and Elyne, just like her Silver Brumby, longed for the refuge of her own Secret Valley.
In this poignant memoir Honor Auchinleck remembers her extraordinary upbringing in the Australian Alps and pays tribute to her remarkable family, and in particular her adored - and elusive - mother.
In this poignant memoir Honor Auchinleck remembers her extraordinary upbringing in the Australian Alps and pays tribute to her remarkable family, and in particular her adored - and elusive - mother.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 13, 2022
‘My mother, Elyne Mitchell, was already an established writer before I was born.’
A very long time ago, I fell in love with the exploits of The Silver Brumby. Ms Mitchell’s writing took me to the Australian Alps long before I had an opportunity to visit in person. Thowra was very real in my imagination, as were the other horses and the landscape.
I picked up this book wanting to learn more about Elyne Mitchell and her family, of the woman in roles other than as author. Ms Auchinleck takes the reader on a different (and at times difficult) journey. Elyne Mitchell, OAM (née Chauvel, 30 December 1913 – 4 March 2002) was the daughter of a hero of the Great War (General Sir Henry ‘Harry’ George Chauvel, GCMG, KCB0; became the wife in 1935 of Thomas Walter Mitchell, who served as a Victorian politician and was interned in Changi during World War II, and had four children (Indi, Harry, Honor and John).
Ms Auchinleck writes of family history and misunderstandings, of service and privilege, of a mother both distracted and elusive, of the different aspects of her mother’s life. I read this book, curious about the life and times of Elyne Mitchell but not wanting to lose the magic of the woman who created the magical world of Thowra. I finished the book feeling that all that magic came at some cost to Ms Mitchell’s own children.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
A very long time ago, I fell in love with the exploits of The Silver Brumby. Ms Mitchell’s writing took me to the Australian Alps long before I had an opportunity to visit in person. Thowra was very real in my imagination, as were the other horses and the landscape.
I picked up this book wanting to learn more about Elyne Mitchell and her family, of the woman in roles other than as author. Ms Auchinleck takes the reader on a different (and at times difficult) journey. Elyne Mitchell, OAM (née Chauvel, 30 December 1913 – 4 March 2002) was the daughter of a hero of the Great War (General Sir Henry ‘Harry’ George Chauvel, GCMG, KCB0; became the wife in 1935 of Thomas Walter Mitchell, who served as a Victorian politician and was interned in Changi during World War II, and had four children (Indi, Harry, Honor and John).
Ms Auchinleck writes of family history and misunderstandings, of service and privilege, of a mother both distracted and elusive, of the different aspects of her mother’s life. I read this book, curious about the life and times of Elyne Mitchell but not wanting to lose the magic of the woman who created the magical world of Thowra. I finished the book feeling that all that magic came at some cost to Ms Mitchell’s own children.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 1, 2021
The Silver Brumby books were a huge part of my world when I was young- when I wasn’t reading them I was so often there in the Australian Alps in my imagination!
I found this book absolutely fascinating, I highly recommend it.
I found this book absolutely fascinating, I highly recommend it.
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May 19, 2022This terrific book gives fascinating insights into Australian literature, skiing, and politics. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyed the Silver Brumby books and who have an interest in our alpine high country.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews