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

Rating:
Summary: Excellent celebration of Australia's literary heritage
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent celebration of Australia's literary heritage
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: Cultural Eavesdropping
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Cultural Eavesdropping
Review: 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.