Gillian Rubinstein
Encyclopedia
Gillian Rubinstein is an English-born children's author and playwright. Born in Potten End, Berkhamsted
, Hertfordshire
, England, Rubinstein split her childhood between England and Nigeria, moving to Australia in 1973. As well as eight plays, numerous short stories and articles, she has written over 30 books. Her award-winning and hugely popular 1986 debut Space Demons introduced the themes of growing up and fantasy worlds which emerge often in her other writings. Books such as At Ardilla, Foxspell and Galax-Arena
all received critical acclaim and multiple awards.
In 2001, Rubinstein published Across the Nightingale Floor
, the first of the best-selling five book Tales of the Otori
series under the pseudonym, Lian Hearn. The series is set in a fictional island nation resembling feudal
Japan and is her first work to reach an adult audience.
The name 'Lian', comes from a childhood nickname and 'Hearn' apparently refers to herons which are a prominent theme in the series. It has also been suggested that the surname is most likely borrowed from Lafcadio Hearn
; one of the first Western writers to tackle Japanese mythology.
Gillian Rubinstein currently resides in Goolwa, South Australia
.
Berkhamsted
-Climate:Berkhamsted experiences an oceanic climate similar to almost all of the United Kingdom.-Castle:...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England, Rubinstein split her childhood between England and Nigeria, moving to Australia in 1973. As well as eight plays, numerous short stories and articles, she has written over 30 books. Her award-winning and hugely popular 1986 debut Space Demons introduced the themes of growing up and fantasy worlds which emerge often in her other writings. Books such as At Ardilla, Foxspell and Galax-Arena
Galax-Arena
Galax-Arena, by Gillian Rubinstein, is a 1995 science fiction novel following 3 children who are kidnapped by aliens. It deals with issues of slavery, what we know versus what we believe to be true, the difference between children and adults, street people , and spirituality, to an extent.A sequel,...
all received critical acclaim and multiple awards.
In 2001, Rubinstein published Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
, the first of the best-selling five book Tales of the Otori
Tales of the Otori
Tales of the Otori is a series of historical fantasy novels by Lian Hearn, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor , Grass for His Pillow , and Brilliance of the Moon...
series under the pseudonym, Lian Hearn. The series is set in a fictional island nation resembling feudal
Feudalism
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for ordering society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.Although derived from the...
Japan and is her first work to reach an adult audience.
The name 'Lian', comes from a childhood nickname and 'Hearn' apparently refers to herons which are a prominent theme in the series. It has also been suggested that the surname is most likely borrowed from Lafcadio Hearn
Lafcadio Hearn
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn , known also by the Japanese name , was an international writer, known best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things...
; one of the first Western writers to tackle Japanese mythology.
Gillian Rubinstein currently resides in Goolwa, South Australia
Goolwa, South Australia
Goolwa is a historic river port on the Murray River near the Murray Mouth in South Australia, and joined by a bridge to Hindmarsh Island. The name "Goolwa" means "elbow" in Ngarrindjeri, the local Aboriginal language....
.
Books
- Space DemonsSpace DemonsSpace Demons is a book by Australian author Gillian Rubinstein. First released in 1985, the young adult science fiction novel is the first of the 'Space Demons' trilogy. The book was awarded the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers in 1987...
(1987) - Skymaze (1989)
- Answers to Brut (Omnibus Books, 1991)
- Galax-ArenaGalax-ArenaGalax-Arena, by Gillian Rubinstein, is a 1995 science fiction novel following 3 children who are kidnapped by aliens. It deals with issues of slavery, what we know versus what we believe to be true, the difference between children and adults, street people , and spirituality, to an extent.A sequel,...
(Hyland House, 1992) (2nd edition 2001) - Mr Plunkett's pool (Random House Australia, 1992) illustrated by Terry Denton
- Keep Me Company (Viking, 1992) illustrated by Lorraine Hannay
- Dog in, Cat Out (Ticknor & Fields, 1993) illustrated by Ann James
- Foxspell (Hyland House, 1994)
- Jake and Pete (Random House Australia, 1995) illustrated by Terry Denton
- The Giant's Tooth (Puffin, 1995) illustrated by Craig Smith
- Peanut the ponyrat (Heinemann, 1995)
- Annie's Brother's Suit (Hyland House, 1996)
- Witch Music and other stories (Hyland House, 1996)
- Shinkei (Omnibus Books, 1996)
- Sharon, keep your hair on (Random House Australia, 1996) illustrated by David Mackintosh
- Under the Cat's Eye (Hodder Headline, 1997)
- Jake and Pete and the stray dogs Random House Australia, 1997) illustrated by Terry Denton
- Each beach (Box Press, 1998) illustrations by Mark Sofilas
- Hooray for the Kafe Karaoke (Random House Australia, 1998) pictures by David Mackintosh
- The Pirates' Ship (Puffin Books, 1998) illustrated by Craig Smith
- The Fairy's Wings (Puffin Books, 1998) illustrated by Craig Smith
- Pure Chance (Walker Books, 1998) illustrations by Caroline Binch
- Ducky's nest (Random House Australia, 1999) illustrated by Terry Denton
- The Mermaid of Bondi Beach (Hodder Children's Books, 1999) illustrated by Anna Pignataro
- Jake & Pete and the Catcrowbats (Random House Australia, 1999) illustrated by Terry Denton
- Jake and Pete and the magpie's wedding (Random House Australia, 2000) with Terry DentonTerry DentonTerry Denton is an Australian illustrator and author. The second youngest of five boys, he was born and grew up in Melbourne, Victoria....
- Terra-Farma (Viking, 2001)
- Prue Theroux : the cool librarian (Random House Australia, 2001) illustrated by David Mackintosh
- The Whale's Child (Hodder Headline Australia, 2002)
- The Tales of the OtoriTales of the OtoriTales of the Otori is a series of historical fantasy novels by Lian Hearn, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor , Grass for His Pillow , and Brilliance of the Moon...
series under her Lian Hearn pseudonym.- Across the Nightingale Floor (2002)
- Grass for His Pillow (2003)
- Brilliance of the Moon (2004)
- The Harsh Cry of the Heron (2006)
- Heaven's Net is Wide (2007)
Compilations
- After Dark: seven tales to read at night (Omnibus/Puffin, 1988)
- Before Dawn: more tales to read at night (Omnibus/Puffin, 1988)
Stories G.M. Hanson
- "See Nikko and Die", in Love Lies Bleeding, edited by Jennifer RoweJennifer RoweJennifer June Rowe is an Australian author. Her crime fiction for adults is published under her own name, while her children's fiction is published under the pseudonyms Emily Rodda and Mary-Anne Dickinson...
Contributions
- New introduction as Lian Hearn for Japan and Her People, by Anna Hartshorne, Jetlag Press, 2007. Edited by Brent Massey and Christopher E. West.