Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under [Paperback]

Phyllis F. Edelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 1993

Spanning more than a century, Australian Literature crystallizes a spirit, style, and ethos found nowhere else in world literature. These captivating selections in Australian Literature come from major voices, both famous and lesser known, and encompass short stories, memoirs, novels and aboriginal writings. Resonant or wryly witty, charming or disturbing, they explore themes deeply rooted in the Australian experience - shaping the land, the legacies of the convict past, the displacement of the aborigine, the search for a national identity, sex, love, and commitment.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Spanning more than a century, Australian Literature crystallizes a spirit, style, and ethos found nowhere else in world literature. These captivating selections in Australian Literature come from major voices, both famous and lesser known, and encompass short stories, memoirs, novels and aboriginal writings. Resonant or wryly witty, charming or disturbing, they explore themes deeply rooted in the Australian experience - shaping the land, the legacies of the convict past, the displacement of the aborigine, the search for a national identity, sex, love, and commitment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (March 16, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345368002
• ISBN-13: 978-0345368003
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cultural Eavesdropping, March 21, 2001

By 

"ygraine" (Phoenix, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under (Paperback)

Pieced together in snipets that leave the reader hungering for more, "Australian Literature, An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under," ambitiously attempts to collect the works of Aussie writers spanning two centuries and crossing class, gender, and racial lines. Edelson's introduction is invaluable for those who are new to Australian history, providing an excellent context for the works that follow.

"The Cooboo" by Katharine Prichard and "Wanamurraganya: The Story of Jack McPhee" offer a glimpse into the mythical, troubled, and gritty negotiations of Aboriginal life, their dealings with colonial oppression, and their relationship to the land. "The Chosen Vessel," by Barbara Baynton, depicts a bush culture of misogyny and "Breaking a Man's Spirit," by Marcus Clarke, offers insight into the convict legacy. At first, the stories appear fragmented and unrelated, but as the reader progresses, the unifying themes of suffering, man/woman's relationship with a hostile environment, and self-determination begin to unfold. Aesthetically, the stories "feel" uniquely Australian, conveying a certain terseness, intensity, and independence.

On the downside, no poetry is included in the collection and I would have preferred more short fiction over novel excerpts. As an introduction to Australian literature, however, it succeeds beautifully.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent celebration of Australia's literary heritage, March 11, 2004

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under (Paperback)

"Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under," edited by Phyllis Fahrie Edelson, contains over 300 pages of literature and supplementary material. Included are a substantial introductory essay, short author biographies, a map of Australia, a glossary of Australian terms, and a list of suggested readings.

The anthology is broken down thematically. Part I is "The Idea of the Bush." Part II, "Images of Australia," is further broken down into 3 subsections: "The Aboriginal Experience," "The Convict," and "The Search for a National Identity." Part III is "Relationships." Altogether there is a rich sampling of fiction and autobiographical writing. The anthology covers many themes and ideas: family ties, relations between the people and the land, socioeconomic status, education, Aboriginal culture, gay life, marriage, crime, etc.

There are a number of standouts in this overall solid collection. "The Chosen Vessel," by Barbara Baynton, is a chilling suspense tale. "The Loaded Dog," by Henry Lawson, is a wild piece of slapstick comedy. "Northern Belle," by Thea Astley, is a powerful character study that deals with the intersection of racial anxiety and gender roles. Excerpts from "A Fortunate Life," by A.B. Facey, offer a graphic look at the horror of war. This is a rich and diverse collection, well suited both for literature classes and individual reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aussie Literature - in a nutshell, June 11, 2008

By 

Ann - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Australian Literature: An Anthology of Writing from the Land Down Under (Paperback)

I am an Australian -- living in California. I am also an English professor. With this combination, I have purchased MANY copies of this book to share with my colleages, students, friends. It offers a great encapsulation of Aussie literature from many different perspectives and I really like the organization, looking at the different parts of the culture. Most Australian kids read Lawson's "bush" tale in grade school. It paints a somewhat romanticized image of the brave "women" of the bush, taking care of the kids, killing snakes, etc., and I'm glad to see it included in this book. But Barbara Baynton's "bush" tale highlights the REAL dangers for women in the "outback" and is an interesting addition to this brief Aussie Canon of literature.