8 Iconic Australian Novels That Were Snubbed In The ABC's Top 100 Aussie Books Countdown

SANDY FRASER | Youth | CONTACT

Tim Winton has taken out the top spot in ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Australian Books with his 1991 classic ‘Cloudstreet’. 

Over 280,000 listeners cast their votes, solidifying Winton and his working-class classic as Aussie royalty. 

And though The Advocate doesn’t dispute that the novel is right where it belongs, it would appear a large majority of voters have somehow experienced a momentary gap in their memory. 

This is because not a single one of Paul Jennings short story collections from his “Un-” series made it into the list. 

‘Unreal!’, which was published in 1985, quickly kicked off a phenomenon, and the author went on to publish Unbelievable!, Uncanny!, Unbearable!, Unmentionable!, Undone!, Unseen! And Uncovered! over the next 20 odd years. 

In fact, Jennings, who was appointed  a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1995 for his contributions to Australia’s children's literature, would have been snubbed entirely by the list if it weren’t for ‘Round The Twist’ coming in at number 100. 

Readers across Australia are calling the act unconscionable. 

“It’s just awful how we’re willing to treat our very own Aussie heroes. Those books raised me,” said one fan, Darcy Allen (29). 

“There’s this one story that’s the sole reason I’ve never gone on that god-awful Rotor ride at Luna Park. If you know you know, I guess, and apparently not everyone seems to know,” he added. 

And it seems the sentiment is shared by icons of the Australian literary world. 

“I would give up my spot any day for Paul to have just one in there. Probably 'Uncovered!', that one’s my favourite. The story about the little boy that just wanted to see snow made me cry, I’m tearing up now just thinking about it,” said Tim Winton. 

“Oh Paul, he is great. 'Uncanny!' is the best one, did Tim really say it’s 'Uncovered!'? I still think he got a bit of inspiration from Monkey Grip for a few of them, but that’s between you and me,” said Helen Garner, tapping the side of her nose. 

The Advocate would also like to point out Andy Griffiths’ 2001 hit ‘The Day My Bum Went Psycho’ was also robbed of a spot. 

A contentious day for all.