SOURCE: A review of The Burnt Ones, in The Australian Quarterly, Vol. VII, No. 4, December, 1965, pp. 120-23.

In the following review, Hossain discusses how the stories in The Burnt Ones mirror themes in White's novels and act as commentary on Australian society and the human condition.

Patrick White was introduced to me as one of the best Australian writers of today. On reading The Burnt Ones, a collection of his short stories, which led me to read two of his more recent novels, The Aunt's Story and Riders in the Chariot, it seemed evident that he is outstanding among contemporary fiction writers outside Australia as well.

As with most good writing it is possible to approach Patrick White's work on several levels. First for its regional connotations as having something to say about Australian society. Although one gets glimpses of the concerns and values of middle-class Australian society...