
Bee Miles
Australia's famous bohemian rebel, and the untold story behind the legend
By: Rose Ellis
Paperback | 29 August 2023
At a Glance
Paperback
RRP $34.99
$33.25
or
In Stock and Aims to ship in 1-2 business days
When will this arrive by?
The untold story of the uncompromising and fearless woman who captivated mid-20th century Australia with her spectacular acts of defiance.
Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famousfor being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living'recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and townsacross Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer.
Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father.
Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.
About the Author
Rose Ellis is a writer, editor and researcher based in Sydney.
Bee Miles was a truly larger-than-life character. Famousfor being outrageous in public, or, as she said, living'recklessly', she shocked and intrigued cities and townsacross Australia. But she was no ordinary wanderer.
Born into a wealthy family, Bee moved in Sydney's literary and artistic circles in the 1920s and 1930s before she took up residence on the streets. A consummate performer and a perceptive critic, she caught the public's imagination with her spectacular acts of defiance, emerging majestically from the surf with a knife strapped to each thigh, stopping a country train in its tracks, hitchhiking across remote Australia and drawing large city crowds with her Shakespeare recitations. She was once even voted more famous than the Prime Minister. She was also repeatedly incarcerated in prisons, confined to mental hospitals and treated brutally by a succession of authority figures, starting with her father.
Bee constantly defied conventional expectations of female behaviour. The public found her captivating and fragments of her story have been told again and again in many forms. Until now, no-one has uncovered the real story behind the colourful legend. This first full biography offers a fascinating glimpse into a dark side of Australia's history.
About the Author
Rose Ellis is a writer, editor and researcher based in Sydney.
Industry Reviews
'These pages dance with details of a forgotten Australia, in which the sane were in asylums, the rich were on the left and clever Bee Miles dominated the city of Sydney.' -Alison Bashford, author of An Intimate History of Evolution
'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author
'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author
'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers
'The remarkable tale of an eternal vagabond, Bohemian to her core.' -Lucy Frost, historian and author
'A thrilling ride through the life of one of Australia's most gifted yetmisunderstood characters. I adored it!' -Mandy Sayer, award-winning author
'A brilliant rollercoaster of a book.' -Craig Munro, author of Literary Lion Tamers
ISBN: 9781761069130
ISBN-10: 1761069136
Published: 29th August 2023
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 336
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Dimensions (cm): 23.5 x 15.5 x 2.5
Weight (kg): 0.42
Shipping
Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
---|---|---|
Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
You Can Find This Book In
This product is categorised by
- Non-FictionBiographies & True Stories BiographiesHistorical, Political and Military Biographies
- Non-FictionSociety & CultureSocial Issues & ProcessesFeminism & Feminist Theory
- Non-FictionMedicineOther Branches of MedicinePsychiatry
- Booktopia Gift GuideChristmas Gift GuideAustralian Stories
- Booktopia Gift GuideChristmas Gift GuideTrue Stories & Non-FictionBiographies & Autobiographies