{{italic title}} {{Short description|Novel}} thumb|First edition '''''Grimmish''''' is a 2021 experimental historical novel by Australian writer Michael Winkler. It was first published as a paperback original in January 2021 in Australia by Westbourne Books. The book is based on the tour of Australia in 1908–09 by boxer Joe Grim. It includes Grim's work as a sparring partner for both Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns prior to their Fight of the Century on Boxing Day 1908.
''Grimmish'' was well received by Australian critics. It was named as a book of the year in ''The Guardian'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-12|title=The 25 best Australian books of 2021: Helen Garner, Alice Pung, Tony Birch and more|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/13/the-25-best-australian-books-of-2021-helen-garner-alice-pung-tony-birch-and-more|access-date=2022-01-07|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> ''The Age''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-10|title=Books we loved in 2021: Top authors reveal the best reads of the year|url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/books/books-we-loved-in-2021-top-authors-reveal-the-best-reads-of-the-year-20211201-p59dy5.html|access-date=2022-01-07|website=The Age|language=en}}</ref> and ''Australian Book Review''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cothren|first=Alex|date=2021-03-23|title=Alex Cothren reviews 'Grimmish' by Michael Winkler|url=https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/abr-online/current-issue/962-april-2021-no-430/7608-alex-cothren-reviews-grimmish-by-michael-winkler|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Australian Book Review|language=en-gb}}</ref>
JM Coetzee called it "The strangest book you are likely to read this year."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grimmish|url=https://www.michaelwinkler.com.au/grimmish|access-date=2022-01-07|website=www.michaelwinkler.com.au}}</ref>
In the USA, Thomas Hauser gave the book a mainly positive review and called it "a compelling impressionistic portrait".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hauser|first=Thomas|date=2021-12-19|title=Literary Notes: "Grimmish" (Book Review by Thomas Hauser)|url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/71290-literary-notes-grimmish-book-review-by-thomas-hauser|access-date=2022-01-07|website=The Sweet Science|language=en-US}}</ref>
Critic and academic Emmett Stinson noted, "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."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stinson|first=Emmett|title=The 'exploded non-fiction novel': Michael Winkler's Grimmish|url=https://overland.org.au/2021/06/the-exploded-non-fiction-novel-michael-winklers-grimmish/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Overland literary journal|date=22 June 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, it was republished in Australia by publisher Puncher & Wattmann.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mem: 11108744 |title=Puncher & Wattmann acquires 'Grimmish' {{!}} Books+Publishing |url=https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2022/03/24/212012/puncher-wattmann-acquires-grimmish/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2023, it was published in the UK and US by Peninsula Press and Coach House Books, respectively.
''Grimmish'' was shortlisted for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harmon |first=Steph |date=2022-06-23 |title=Miles Franklin 2022: shortlist revealed for Australia's prestigious literary prize |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/23/miles-franklin-2022-shortlist-revealed-for-australias-prestigious-literary-prize |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:2021 Australian novels Category:2021 English-language novels Category:Australian historical novels Category:Novels about boxing Category:Novels set in the 1900s Category:Novels set in 1908 Category:Novels set in 1909 {{2020s-hist-novel-stub}}