But the legend of the Bunyip persists. The Bunyip of Australian literature is the mythical Great Australian Novel. From time to time we hear that it has appeared at last. Publishers hold a special corroboree. Rival novelists lock their doors and say their prayers.
Critics reach for their shotguns.
Mr Patrick White's publishers are therefore naturally cautious. The Tree of Man, they say, has many of the qualities of the great novel. But the word has got around that Mr White's book is, in fact, the genuine Bunyip. For one thing it is very big. And at first sight it has all the earmarks which traditionally distinguish The Great Australian Novel.