The Big Story (West novel)

"It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new." — Machiavelli, The Prince

Richard Ashley is a journalist living in Italy. He comes across a story that threatens to overthrow Vittorio, Duke of Orgagna, a corrupt politician. But then Ashley falls in love with the Duke's wife and everything starts to take on a deeper, darker menace.

A Sydney Morning Herald profile on the author, at the time of his death, said it was "his initial foray into the world of Italian politics. To this stage, there is nothing to indicate international prominence."[2]

In her literary study of West and his work, Maryanne Confoy noted: "Written in the middle of West's own personal and professional struggles, this novel addresses the mid-life issues of the ordinary male, the need for a purpose in life, the questioning as to the significance of one's activities, career and relationships...The novel is preoccupied with truth and honesty, with telling lies in one's own life, with lies in the social fabric and their effects on relationships in both the short and long term."[3]

After its original publication in 1957 in England by publishers Heinemann[4] the novel was later published as follows:

• William Morrow, USA, 1957 (with the title The Crooked Road)
• Pan Books, UK, 1959
• Dell Publishing, USA, 1962
• Allen & Unwin, Australia, 2017

and many other paperback editions.[1]

The novel was also translated into Dutch (1959).[1]

A film adaptation of this novel was produced in 1965 under the title The Crooked Road. The screenplay was written by Don Chaffey and Jay Garrison, directed by Don Chaffey and featured Robert Ryan, Stewart Granger and Nadia Gray in the leading roles.[5]

• 1957 in Australian literature