The Bee Hut

Known for her passionate, sensual and edgy poetry, Dorothy Porter was one of Australia's truly original writers. She was twice short-listed for Australia's premier literary award, the Miles Franklin, and her verse novel The Monkey's Mask is a modern Australian classic. The Bee Hut , her fifteenth book, brings together the poems she wrote in the last five years of her life. By turns expansive and intimate, effusive and contemplative, these poems roam widely: there are journeys into history and to sacred places both mythic and deeply personal. As Andrea Goldsmith writes in her preface, Porter's writing "glows and shimmers" with passionate curiosity and exuberant love of life. "Moving and powerful...it shows all of Porter's strengths." – the Age "Her imagery is fresh and acute...one is very aware of the intellect at work here" – Sydney Morning Herald "It's hard not to be uplifted by this writing and this woman" – Courier... Known for her passionate, sensual and edgy poetry, Dorothy Porter was one of Australia's truly original writers. She was twice short-listed for Australia's premier literary award, the Miles Franklin, and her verse novel The Monkey's Mask is a modern Australian classic.

The Bee Hut, her fifteenth book, brings together the poems she wrote in the last five years of her life. By turns expansive and intimate, effusive and contemplative, these poems roam widely: there are journeys into history and to sacred places both mythic and deeply personal. As Andrea Goldsmith writes in her preface, Porter's writing "glows and shimmers" with passionate curiosity and exuberant love of life.

Shortlisted, 2009 Colin Roderick Award

‘Moving and powerful ... it shows all of Porter’s strengths.’ —Age

‘Her imagery is fresh and acute ... one is very aware of the intellect at work here’ —Sydney Morning Herald

‘It’s hard not to be uplifted by this writing and this woman’ —Courier Mail

‘An expansive and satisfying experience.’ —Bookseller Publisher

Dorothy Porter is an acclaimed poet, lyricist and librettist. Her work has been adapted for radio, stage and screen. In December 2008, Dorothy Porter died aged 54. She had just completed The Bee Hut. Known for her passionate, sensual and edgy poetry, Dorothy Porter was one of Australia's truly original writers. She was twice short-listed for Australia's premier literary award, the Miles Franklin, and her verse novel The Monkey's Mask is a modern Australian classic. The Bee Hut , her fifteenth book, brings together the poems she wrote in the last five years of her life. By turns expansive and intimate, effusive and contemplative, these poems roam widely: there are journeys into history and to sacred places both mythic and deeply personal. As Andrea Goldsmith writes in her preface, Porter's writing "glows and shimmers" with passionate curiosity and exuberant love of life. Shortlisted for the 2009 Colin Roderick Award 'Her imagery is fresh and acute...one is very aware of the intellect at work here' — Sydney Morning Herald 'It's hard not to be uplifted by this writing and this woman' — Courier Mail 'An expansive and satisfying experience.' — Bookseller+Publisher 'Moving and powerful ... it shows all of Porter's strengths.' — The Age Dorothy Porter's posthumous book of poems, written over the last five years of her life.