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Cosmo Cosmolino

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Cosmo Cosmolino
First edition
AuthorHelen Garner
LanguageEnglish
PublisherMcPhee Gribble
Publication date
1992
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint
Pages221
ISBN0747513449
Preceded byPostcards from Surfers (1985) 
Followed byThe First Stone (1994) 

Cosmo Cosmolino is a 1992 book by Australian writer Helen Garner.[1] The book consists of three linked works: two short stories and a novella, though the author and critics have described it as a novel.[2]

It was first published in Australia by McPhee Gribble[3] and was shortlisted for the 1993 Miles Franklin Award.[4] It has been reported that the novel's title is Garner's favourite, and came to her in a dream.[5]

Short stories

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In the first short story "Recording Angel", a woman goes to a hospital to see a gravely ill friend.[6] In the second short story "A Vigil", a man is forced to see the cremation of his girlfriend who suicided.[6]

Novella

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In the novella that gives the name to the book, freelance writer Janet owns a terrace house in Melbourne. The house was previously inhabited by a communal household.[7]

Critical reception

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The novel was critically well received.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "NLA Trove – Cosmo Cosmolino – Helen Garner". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. ^ Ramona Koval (21 April 2012). "Rewind to Ms Garner's angels: Spiritual belief and Melbourne trams provide rich motifs in the author's 1992 novel". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  3. ^ Arnold, John (1 February 2005). John Arnold; John A. Hay; Sally Batten (eds.). The Bibliography of Australian Literature. Vol. 2. University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3500-9. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Garner, Helen (1942–)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  5. ^ Baum, Caroline (10 January 2004). "Title fight". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b Duguid, Lindsay (10 January 1993). "BOOK REVIEW / New Age in the land of Oz: 'Cosmo Cosmolino' - Helen Garner: Bloomsbury, 13.99". The Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  7. ^ C. K. Stead (28 January 1993). "At Sweetpea Mansions". London Review of Books. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  8. ^ Neill, Rosemary (12 December 2006). "Malouf presses for novel reprints". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
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