Dust Or Polish

Long before the younger generation of Sydney emigrated en masse to the inner-city suburb of Paddington, Norman Lindsay was fascinated by its lanes, its tenements, it curious old shops that sold curious old treasures or junk, its people who never observed the rules of more respectable suburbs.A complete change from his novels of boyhood and adolescence, more sophisticated, set in Sydney instead of rustic Victoria, Dust or Polish is the unusual and highly entertaining story of Rita, a showgirl who tires of stage life and finds a new career and romance in the secondhand furniture business. There's absorbing interest in Rita's efforts to learn the tricks of the trade, and rich humour in her struggle for power with the gin-soaked Mrs Dibble. On both fronts, Rita is supported by Peter Bodfish, an inspired but eccentric furniture restorer who is often a disconcerting ally. Another staunch friend is Dr Grimsby, who patience is finally rewarded. All of Norman Lindsay's famous gusto and vitality is demonstrated in this thoroughly satisfying novel.