Children of the Sun (book)

Children of the Sun
AuthorMorris West
LanguageEnglish
Genrenon fiction
Publisher1957
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint

Children of the Sun is a 1957 non-fiction book by Morris West, an investigation into the slums of post-war Naples. It was his first international success.[1] The US title was Children of the Shadows: The True Story of the Street Urchins of Naples.[2]

The book was a best seller in Europe and England and marked a turning point in the career of West. The Sydney Morning Herald said "with this work, West not only found his way as a writer but discovered the theme that would underpin almost all of his subsequent books — the nature and misuse of power. Of the 18 novels he was to write post-1957, 15 are on this subject."[3]

Background

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West researched the book over six months in Naples, meeting Father Borrelli who worked with the street boys of Naples.[4]

TV Adaptation

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In 1959 it was announced the show would be adapted for the Australian anthology series Shell Presents.[5]

It was adapted for ITV anthology television series ITV Television Playhouse in 1961.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "WRITERS' WORLD". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 August 1983. p. 12. Retrieved 8 April 2020 – via Trove.
  2. ^ Doubleday & Co, 1957
  3. ^ Missen, Mollie (February 20, 1993). "A master storyteller signs off". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 44.
  4. ^ "On Broadway, he yearns for Australia". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia. 12 April 1961. p. 65. Retrieved 8 April 2020 – via Trove.
  5. ^ "AUSTRALIAN TV DRAMA SERIES". The Biz. New South Wales, Australia. 25 March 1959. p. 26. Retrieved 8 April 2020 – via Trove.
  6. ^ "Film Purchases Overseas". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 August 1963. Retrieved 8 April 2020.