Norman Lindsay's early reputation as a pen-and- ink artist and his notoriety as a painter of the female nude have tended to overshadow his achievements as a writer. Eight of his thirteen novels--eleven for adults, two for children--were written in the latter half of his long life. At least two of his works, the novel Redheap (1930) and the children's story The Magic Pudding (1918)--some would add his children's story for adults, Saturdee (1933)--are considered classics. In terms of the more general cultural life of Australia, Lindsay was central to an important period of Australian comic writing, cofounded Endeavour Press, and sponsored many writers--most notably Jack Lindsay, Kenneth Slessor, Robert D. FitzGerald, Douglas Stewart, Brian Penton, and Kenneth McKenzie--who have left a mark on Australian literary life; these accomplishments reflect the depth of his outlook and the breadth of his intellectual pursuits. Slessor's tribute to Lindsay declared that he...