Over the Sliprails

"Over the Sliprails" by Henry Lawson is a compilation of short stories that paints a picture of life in the Australian outback in the late 1800s. Through stories of coach passengers struggling through a cold journey and shearers looking for work, Lawson uses humor and sadness to show the difficulties of living in rural Australia. One story follows travelers in a coach whose journey is complicated by a grumpy driver, eventually leading to a stay at a shanty where things may not be as they seem. Lawson’s stories capture the sometimes harsh and often funny side of bush life, setting a brisk pace for a series of tales about the ruggedness of the Australian experience.