About the Book
The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke
The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke was the first of CJ Dennis's "verse novels" and introduced the Sentimental Bloke, Doreen and Ginger Mick. Lavishly illustrated by Hal Gye (whose larrikin cherubs will be forever linked with The Bloke) it was first published in 1915 by Angus & Robertson of Sydney, with an introduction from Henry Lawson. A Pocket edition for the Trenches was issued in 1916, and an American edition titled Doreen and the Sentimental Bloke was published in the same year. Many further impressions of the book were printed over the years. The cover illustration above is from the 1985 printing of the 1981 edition.
I must admit to a bit of confusion with this book's title. My second edition of the book (which has no dustjacket unfortunately) list the title as The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke on the title page but as The Sentimental Bloke on the spine. I don't get too pedantic about this and feel that either title will suffice. Most people would refer to the book as The Sentimental Bloke anyway.
About the Author
C. J. Dennis, 1876-1938
Australian poet famous for his humorous poems, especially "The Sentimental Bloke".
The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke tells the story of Bill, a larrikin of the Little Lonsdale Street Push, who is introduced to a young woman by the name of Doreen. The book chronicles their courtship and marriage, detailing Bill's transformation from a violence-prone gang member to a contented husband and father.
