Midnite: The Story of a Wild Colonial Boy

Author: Randolph Stow
Published: 1967
Target Audience: Ages 8-12

Once upon a time, in Western Australia a hundred years ago, a young man lived with his father in a cottage in a forest. The young man was called Midnite. At least, that is what I am going to call him, because that is what he called himself, later on, when he was famous.

These are the opening lines of 'Midnite: The Story of a Wild Colonial Boy.' Written by Randolph Stow and first published in 1967, 'Midnite' is the story of a good-natured but rather unintelligent lad who ends up becoming a bushranger outlaw on the advice of his cat.

He is joined in his exploits by a tall and noble-minded horse called Red Ned, a silly cow called Dora, a temperamental Major Mitchell Cockatoo called Major, and Gyp, a young sheepdog with a perpetual half-laughing, half-worried look on his face. Finally, there is Khat, a wily and splendid siamese cat, and the brains behind Captain Midnite's Gang.

With their assistance, Midnite becomes the terror of the Australian colonies, bushranging up and down the country, reported in newspapers around the world, hunted by trackers and police troopers, romanticised by the ladies and poets, and reviled by judges and royalty alike.

But it isn's easy being a bushranger, especially when the sneaky Trooper O'Grady keeps pickpocketing and arresting Midnite, and sending him to prison. Yet throughout it all, Midnite remains a sweet but naive young man who meets a variety of entertaining characters, ends up in gaol numerous times, discovers gold, romance, and the perils of drinking, and even has an audience with the queen.

Excerpt:

'Surrender, Midnite,' called O'Grady. 'We are ten to one.'

But Midnite only laughed, and sang over his shoulder, at the top of his voice: '"I'll fight but never surrender", said the wild colonial boy.'

'I will shoot your hat off,' shouted O'Grady.

'Try,' laughed Midnite.

As he spoke, a bullet went through his hat. But the hat did not fall off, and O'Grady said a bad word.

'I will shoot it off this time,' swore O'Grady. A second bullet went through the hat, and it spun to the ground.

'Never mind, I shall have another hat in one minute,' called Midnite. And he was right. One minute was all the time it took for Major to swoop down on O'Grady and bushrange his hat, and drop it on Midnite's head as Red Ned sped along.

'You can have my hat now,' offered Midnite. 'I'm sorry it has got bullet-holes in it.'

O'Grady said a very bad word that Midnite had never heard before, but he did not shoot Midnite's hat again, because it was his hat and he hoped to get it back.

'Midnite' is a delightful and whimsical adventure story packed with ridiculous characters, witty dialogue, and dramatic escapades. It won the 1994 BILBY Children’s Choice Awards Prize for Writing for Young Adults, and in 1997 was also adapted for the stage by Richard Tulloch. While the target readership are those aged 8-12, this book is an enjoyable read for all ages. Each chapter functions as a mini tale, which work perfectly well as bedtime stories for younger readers, as well as being a humorous and satirical read for older readers.

Like many books written decades ago, there are some elements in 'Midnite' that do not transfer well to a modern readership. The Australia presented in the book is predominately Anglo-centric, with the presence of Aboriginal people reduced to a brief mention where "the black people followed and hid and peeped at them; but Midnite and his gang never saw a black person, except out of the corners of their eyes." There are other outdated racial representations, particularly in scenes revolving around the Queen of England, which mention how "the Queen's giant Nubian slaves fanned her with peacock feathers" and "the three little maharajahs who held up the train of her robes when she played games." It is certainly possible to still enjoy a book that has unfavourable stereotypes and outdated representation, so long as we recognise these antiquated portrayals for what they are.

'Midnite: The Story of a Wild Colonial Boy' is a wonderfully fun children's classic, and its always great to read stories set in a distinctly Australian setting. This novel is highly satirical; a deliberate send up of the attitudes and inhabitants of colonial Australia, where each character is presented as an over-the-top caricature for comedic purposes. I laughed out loud so many times while reading, and had an absolute blast the entire time. I highly recommend giving it a go!