Patrick White's mystery uncovered

Sydney Morning Herald, March 1, 2011

THE secret is blown. Patrick White's The Hanging Garden is to be published next year, the centenary of his birth. Barely a dozen people have read this little masterpiece that turned up in the hoard of his papers in the National Library.

''I have no doubt it deserves to see the light of day,'' says White's literary executor Barbara Mobbs. ''It's pretty simple. I wouldn't let it go otherwise.''

The Hanging Garden was in the pile of White's papers that Ms Mobbs was instructed to destroy when he died.
After thinking about it for a decade she decided not to light the match. The decision to take yet another step and publish The Hanging Garden was also considered over years.

Last year, Sydney University academics Margaret Harris and Elizabeth Webby had the handwritten manuscript transcribed with funding from an Australian Research Council grant.
Ms Mobbs had the typescript in January. She read, consulted and read again.
The decision was made about 10 days ago.

Just who will publish The Hanging Garden is now up in the air after Random House jumped the gun by announcing its appearance.

David Marr