Utopian Man

Author: Lisa Lang

Publication Date: 2010

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Category: Fiction

Who'll want to read it?

Anyone who has ever dreamed up their own perfect bookstore using the wildest and most wonderful parts of their imagination. However, I think this book would also appeal to those interested in Australian history, eccentric victorian gentlemen, books about books and making their dreams come true!

What's it all about?

This is the life story of Edward William Cole, the creator of Melbourne's Coles Book Arcade, the man who trademarked the rainbow and advertised for a wife in the newspaper. He is also the creator of the Coles Funny Picture Books which some of you may have heard of or even read as children.

Edward builds his life and dreams, over and over again despite all the challenges that life gives him. He faces financial ruin, family tragedy and the usual lure of lust, money and power yet he always seems to come out on the otherside with a new idea, a fresh take and enduring hope.

I found this book inspired me to keep going, to keep dreaming, to create and share and love. It was so wonderful to discover a pocket of Australian history like this, the bravery of a man who took chances, who followed his heart and spoke his mind, who was never too old to have an imagination.

You can read more about the author's inspiration for the novel here in article on the Readings website

If you are interested in reading more about his life and the arcade you can read this by the same author:

Title: E.W. Cole Chasing the Rainbow
Author: Lisa Lang
Published: Arcade Publications
Publication Date: 2007

You can also have a look at Coles Funny Picture Book No.1 through the Gutenberg Project here