I have meant to read Picnic at Hanging Rock for years, so when I saw it on a list of short novels, I got a copy from the library for Novellas in November. It turns out I’m stretching a point with this one, though, at 204 pages, a little over the stated limit.
Let me warn you about this one. I suggest you don’t do too much poking around or read the Introduction before reading it. Even the Introduction suggests that you read it afterwards. Part of this suggestion has to do with a chapter that was removed at the suggestion of the original publishers. The Introduction to the Penguin edition summarizes this chapter, but I agree that the novel is much more powerful without it.
On a hot Valentines Day in 1900 Australia, most of the girls of Appleyard College for Young Ladies are bound for an outing—a picnic at Hanging Rock, an ancient local geographical and anthropological wonder. With them are three teachers and the coachman. The only student left behind is Sara, a 13-year-old orphan whom Mrs. Appleyard, the headmistress, uses as a scapegoat.
Although the girls are told to stay off the rock, after tea three senior girls ask to walk closer to it. They include Miranda, a girl loved by everyone at the school but especially by Sara. With her are her best friends, Irma, a beautiful heiress, and the brainy Marion. Edith, a younger girl who they think is a pest, tags along after them.
Although a couple of young men in a family party see them crossing a stream, no one sees them after that—or at least no one sees some of them. The girls fall asleep on a circular platform, and when they wake up very late, Miranda wanders away, seeming to hear no one’s calls. Later, Edith comes running screaming away from the rock but can’t remember anything except that she saw Miss McCraw, the mathematics teacher, running away without her skirt. By then, the party has been searching for the girls and has noticed that Miss McCraw is missing, too.
The whole countryside erupts into an uproar. On a subsequent search after the official police ones, the two young men who glimpsed the girls at the rock try searching again, and Mike Fitzhubert finds one of them barely alive. He is injured running for help, but his companion and groom, Albert Crundall, rescues them both.
Most of the novel is about the aftermath of the disappearances. This is an atmospheric and mysterious, even haunting novel that holds the attention. It’s an Australian classic.
What? Me Read? 
I’ve been meaning to read this forever too. I just finished an Australian novel, The Children’s Bach, which was also pretty unsettling but probably pretty different from this. I’ve read so little from Australia and this might have to come next! I think 204 pages is fine, there’s got to be an edition where it’s under 200 🙂
I always feel that I have to read more from Australia, too.
I’ve also meant to read this for a long time, so I’m glad you liked it. I’ve often found that it’s better to read introductions at the end instead of at the beginning!
Yes, I very seldom read them before I read the book, only if I feel confused about something and are hoping the Intro addresses it.
I loved this one, and the movie of it. But I’m so glad the publishers told her to ditch that last chapter. I read it online after I’d read the book, and thought it was dreadful. The ambiguity of the book works so much better without it.
Yes, I agree. It’s pretty bad. It’s so much better when you don’t know what happened.
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages too, I’ll make it more a priority and take your tip to skip the intro!
I read this about a year ago and really loved it!
Yes, it’s good!
I made it partway through this a couple of years ago and gave up. I should try again!
It’s very subtle.
A classic. I love this book, and the mysterious ending which leaves it up to you to figure out what happened. If I remember correctly, she did have an ending from the beginning, but was advised to leave it out. A really great novella.
Yes, that’s what I said in my review.
I’ve added and removed this novel several times from my TBR. Now, after your review and admonition to not read ahead or the introduction, I am adding it back on. Thanks.
<a href=”https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2024/11/novella-reviews-whereabouts-rita.html“>My Week-3 Novella Reviews</a>
That’s nice!
Very much an Australian Classic! I’ve read it a number of times (and visited Hanging Rock, which is about an hour and a half from where I live, a few times as well – Lindsay captures the sense of the place very well). Many years ago, a final stand-alone chapter was published which ‘solved’ the mystery (it was terrible and I wish I hadn’t read it). Anyway, my experience of all things Hanging Rock here: https://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.com/2013/04/06/picnic-at-hanging-rock-by-joan-lindsay/
It’s definitely an Australian classic! Pretty sure plenty of people will visit Hanging Rock and not be able to stop themselves from yelling out Miranda! Last time I visited Hanging Rock it was for a rock concert so no one would have been able to hear anyway!
Thanks for sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading challenge
That’s funny.