When Sydney Observed was first published in 1965 (under the title Sydney), and illustrated throughout with the striking photographs of Quintin F. Davis, it won instant and rapturous praise from reviewers across Australia and beyond.
Within the space of a few years it came to be regarded as the best single piece ever written about the city. ‘Write the text of a new book about Sydney?’ a distinguished writer asked his publisher. ‘But after Souter, what’s left to say?’
A second hardback edition featuring the iconic illustrations of talented fellow Sydneysider, George Molnar, was released in 1968. It is this edition we proudly reproduce here.
In prose that is measured, astute, wry and always entertaining, Gavin Souter has captured the Emerald City’s fortunes, foibles, past and future. He has produced a work that is as timely, relevant and lucid today as it was when first published.
Sydney Observed, illustrated by George Molnar, is a small masterpiece – a book for giving, keeping, reading and re-reading.
Praise for Sydney Observed
‘Here, for once, is a description of Sydney which is unblinking but good-mannered, appreciative but unsentimental, factual but not a tourists’ guide, opinionated but never eccentric … a brilliant mosaic.’ The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Brilliantly successful.’ The Times Literary Supplement
‘Unfalteringly entertaining.’ The Age
‘One of the best essays I have ever read about Sydney … Souter has approached his task with the low pulse and critical eye of one of the most skilled reporters in Australia, but also with the controlled enthusiasm and senses of the artist – and with the affection of a Sydneysider.’ H.G. Kippax
‘Gavin Souter, one of Australia’s most stylish newspapermen, combines a reporter’s regard for facts and details with an essayist’s gift for phrase. And he is in love with his city, adoring its virtues, tolerant of its faults.’ Neil Jillett
Gavin Souter AO is the author of twelve works of non-fiction including A Peculiar People (1968), which won the Foundation of Australian Literary Studies award; Lion & Kangaroo (1976) which won the Colin Roderick Award; Company of Heralds (1981), which also won the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies award; and Heralds and Angels (1992), which won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award. In 1960, Gavin won a Walkley Award; in 1988 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), and raised to Officer level (AO) in 1995; and in 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal. He lives in Sydney.
