47 pages • 1 hour read
Joan LindsayPicnic at Hanging Rock
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1967A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay is a Gothic novel set in Victoria, Australia, in 1900, focusing on the mysterious disappearance of three schoolgirls and a teacher during a Valentine's Day picnic at the ominous Hanging Rock. Despite extensive searches, only one girl is found a week later, leading to widespread trauma and further tragedies within the community. The novel includes discussions of suicide and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Joan Lindsay's Picnic at Hanging Rock captivates readers with its evocative prose and atmospheric mystery. Praised for its lush descriptions and psychological depth, it immerses audiences in the eerie setting of the Australian outback. However, some critics note its ambiguous ending can be frustrating. Overall, it's a haunting and memorable read.
Who Should Read Picnic at Hanging Rock?
Fans of Gothic fiction and atmospheric mysteries will relish Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. Comparable to readers of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Secret History by Donna Tartt, this novel appeals to those who enjoy psychological intrigue, enigmatic storylines, and rich, evocative settings.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsLexile Level
1140LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Society: Colonialism
Society: Class
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
History: World