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Blanche d'Alpuget

ブランシュ・ダルピュジェ

Blanche d'Alpuget

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1944-01-03 （Sydney, New South Wales, Australia）
Nationality
Australian
Languages
English
Residence History
Australia (primarily Sydney) → Indonesia (Jakarta and elsewhere) → Malaysia (short residence)

Career

Occupations
biographer, novelist, activist, essayist
Active Years
1973-
Affiliations
Robert J. Hawke & Associates (board member), Austcare (ambassador for refugees), Inala (patron, 2020–2024)
Memberships
Oriental Ceramic Society (member)
Influenced By
Influenced

Education

SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Period: 通学（中等教育）
Country: Australia
Secondary school. Later briefly attended the University of Sydney.
University of Sydney
Period: 短期間在籍（中途退学）
Country: Australia
Attended briefly; reported not to have completed a degree.

Awards

Sydney PEN Golden Jubilee Award for Fiction
1980
Category: フィクション
Organization: Sydney PEN
Result: 受賞
New South Wales Premier's Literary Award (Non-Fiction)
1981
Category: ノンフィクション
Organization: New South Wales Government
Result: 受賞
Braille Book of the Year Award
1982
Result: 受賞
Braille Book of the Year Award
1983
Result: 受賞
The Age Novel of the Year
1982
Work: Turtle Beach
Category: フィクション
Organization: The Age
Result: 受賞
South Australian Government Award for Fiction
1982
Category: フィクション
Organization: South Australian Government
Result: 受賞
Inaugural Commonwealth Award for Literature (Australasian Division)
1987
Category: 文学
Organization: Commonwealth Award for Literature
Result: 受賞
Guest of the Soviet Writers' Union (honor/visit)
1989
Organization: Soviet Writers' Union
Result: 招待

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby

1977 biography

A biography of Sir Richard Kirby, focusing on his life and role in Australian industrial arbitration.

laborarbitrationleadership

Monkeys in the Dark

1980 novel

A novel drawing on experiences in Southeast Asia, blending personal and political themes.

Southeast Asiaself-discovery

Turtle Beach

1981 novel (political/social)

Set in Southeast Asia, the novel explores relationships between Westerners and locals amid political tensions; it provoked discussion and attention.

colonialismpoliticscultural clash
Adaptations
  • [film] Turtle Beach (film) / Stephen Wallace (1989)

Robert J. Hawke: a biography

1982 biography

A biography of Robert J. Hawke, later Prime Minister of Australia; the author later married Hawke.

politicsleadership

Winter in Jerusalem

1986 novel

A novel set in Jerusalem mixing historical and psychological elements.

religionhistory

On Longing

2008 essays

A collection of essays on longing and desire, including pieces that sparked controversy.

desirememory

The Young Lion

2013 historical fiction

Set in the 12th century, the novel depicts the rise of the House of Plantagenet and the relationship of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine; first in a quintet.

royaltypassionmedieval politics

The Lion Rampant

2014 historical fiction

Sequel to The Young Lion, continuing the story of medieval England's power struggles and religious conflicts.

religious conflictintrigue

The Lions' Torment

2019 historical fiction

The third book in the quintet, focusing on character studies and political manoeuvres in the medieval period.

political strategyloyalty

The Lioness Wakes

2020 historical fiction

The fourth book in the quintet, with a stronger emphasis on female perspectives such as Eleanor.

female agencypower

The Cubs Roar

2020 historical fiction

The final book of the quintet, concluding the narrative of the dynasty's formation and the fates of key characters.

legacyresolution

The Bunny Club

2025 crime fiction

A 2025 crime novel, marking the author's return to fiction after several years.

crimepsychology

Bibliography

  • Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby (1977)
  • Monkeys in the Dark (1980)
  • Turtle Beach (1981)
  • Robert J. Hawke: a biography (1982)
  • Winter in Jerusalem (1986)
  • Lust (essay, 1992)
  • White Eye (1993)
  • On Longing (2008)
  • Hawke: the Prime Minister (2010)
  • The Young Lion (2013)
  • The Lion Rampant (2014)
  • The Lions' Torment (2019)
  • The Lioness Wakes (2020)
  • The Cubs Roar (2020)
  • The Bunny Club (2025)

Adaptations

  • Turtle Beach (film adaptation, 1989)
  • Hawke (2010 telemovie in which Asher Keddie portrayed Blanche d'Alpuget)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
research-driven biographical prosehistorical fiction marked by meticulous research and vivid characterisationessays blending personal experience with reflective commentary
Recurring Motifs
the interplay of power and the individualSoutheast Asian cultures and politicslove, desire, and moral dilemmas

Legacy

Blanche d'Alpuget is noted as a biographer and novelist linking political and personal histories, acclaimed for works such as Turtle Beach and her biography of Hawke. Her recent historical quintet has renewed critical attention.

Academic Societies

  • Oriental Ceramic Society (associated)

In Popular Culture

  • Portrayed in the 2010 telemovie Hawke and through the film adaptation of Turtle Beach, contributing to wider public recognition.

Quotes

  • This is exuberant story-telling history, full of sex, passion and politics.
    Source: Geraldine Doogue (comment on The Young Lion) (2013)
  • Few writers are both earthy and erudite, Blanche d'Alpuget is. Her narrative is so fresh and energetic you will swear she's bringing us a first-hand account.
    Source: Stephanie Dowrick (comment on The Young Lion) (2013)

Trivia

  • Second wife of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
  • Named after her great-aunt Blanche d'Alpuget, a pioneering woman journalist.
  • Was among the youngest members of the Oriental Ceramic Society.
  • Turtle Beach was adapted as a film in 1989.
  • Portrayed by Asher Keddie in the 2010 telemovie Hawke.