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Grimmish 2021
Grimmish is a 2021 experimental historical novel written by Australian author Michael Winkler. The novel was initially released as a paperback original in January 2021 through publisher Westbourne Books in Australia. The story draws from the 1908–09 tour of Australia by heavyweight boxer Joe Grim. During this time, Grim worked as a sparring partner for both Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns before their historic Fight of the Century on Boxing Day 1908.
The book received strong praise from Australian reviewers. It was recognized as a book of the year by The Guardian, The Age, and Australian Book Review.
JM Coetzee described it as "The strangest book you are likely to read this year."
In the United States, Thomas Hauser offered a largely favorable review, calling it "a compelling impressionistic portrait."
Academic and critic Emmett Stinson observed, "the self-reflexive and dialogic approach of the book, which – though interested in masculinity – has no interest in glorifying it. Grimmish is almost impossible to summarise. There are historical scenes depicting the brutality of Joe Grim’s fights. There are genuine intellectual engagements with Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault."
The novel was reissued in Australia in 2022 by Puncher & Wattmann. In 2023, it appeared in the UK and US through Peninsula Press and Coach House Books respectively.
Grimmish was nominated for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award.
Details
- Publisher
- Westbourne Books
