This collection of gripping short stories by Henry Lawson takes you on a journey through the heart of Australia, as seen through the eyes of the resilient Joe Wilson and his mates. From the bittersweet tale of 'Joe Wilson's Courtship' to the thrilling encounter with 'The Loaded Dog', Lawson weaves a tapestry of unforgettable characters and their enthralling escapades.
Biography of a Book traces the life of an iconic Australian literary work in the lead-up to, and for a century after, its initial publication: Henry Lawson's 1896 collection While the Billy Boils. Paul Eggert follows Lawson's gradual development of a pared-back bush realism in the early 1890s, as he struggled to forge a career, writing short stories and sketches for the newspapers. Lawson's famous collection came out at a decisive moment for the development of a fully professional Australian literary publishing industry, then in its infancy in Sydney. The volume's editing, design and production were collaborative events that changed the feel and nature of Lawson's writing. He had to give ground on his texts and their sequencing. The collection went on to be reprinted and repackaged countless times. Its production and reception histories act like a geological cross-section, revealing the contours of successive cultural formations in Australia. In unravelling the life of Lawson's classic work Eggert's book-historical approach challenges and clarifies established understandings of crucial moments in Australian literary history and of Lawson himself
National Fictions is a study of Australian literature and film. It is also a study of Australian culture, viewing the novels and films as products of a specific culture - as narratives with similar structures, functions, forms and meanings. It covers a wide range of texts, offering both close analysis and an account of their place within the system of meanings the book proposes as dominant in Australian culture. The second edition of this influential work includes a new Afterword which traces recent changes in Australian literature and film, examining the growth of women's writing and popular fiction, as well as current trends in Australian cinema. Turner asks whether these developments really mark a shift in the Australian narrative, and whether it is still possible to speak in terms of a national culture. '.a ground-clearing book. a seminal work, setting an agenda for cultural studies beyond the stockyards and croquet lawns of literary criticism.' - David Carter, Australian Literary Studies 'As a global syncretist, Turner is without peer.' - Stuart Cunningham, Media Information Australia
One of America's most powerful and original dramatists, August Wilson offered an alternative history of the twentieth century, as seen from the perspective of black Americans. He celebrated the lives of those seemingly pushed to the margins of national life, but who were simultaneously protagonists of their own drama and evidence of a vital and compelling community. Decade by decade, he told the story of a people with a distinctive history who forged their own future, aware of their roots in another time and place, but doing something more than just survive. Wilson deliberately addressed black America, but in doing so discovered an international audience. Alongside chapters addressing Wilson's life and career, and the wider context of his plays, this Companion dedicates individual chapters to each play in his ten-play cycle, which are ordered chronologically, demonstrating Wilson's notion of an unfolding history of the twentieth century.
This guide contains comprehensive summary and discussion of all 44 prescribed texts in the HSC Standard English course, plus a list of key issues to consider in each chapter related to the relevant syllabus area, helpful advice on how to read different types of texts, plot outlines, character discussion and interpretations.
In "Five Months at Anzac" by Joseph Lievesley Beeston, the author provides a vivid and moving account of his experiences during World War I as a soldier at the Gallipoli peninsula. Through a combination of first-hand observations and heartfelt reflections, Beeston takes the reader on a journey through the harsh realities of war, capturing the camaraderie among soldiers, the horrors of battle, and the resilience of the human spirit. Written in a straightforward and unembellished style, the book offers a raw and authentic portrayal of life on the frontline, making it a valuable historical document and a gripping read. Beeston's work exemplifies the tradition of war literature, offering insights into the emotional and psychological toll of conflict while paying tribute to the courage of those who served. Joseph Lievesley Beeston's own experiences as a soldier in World War I undoubtedly informed his writing of "Five Months at Anzac," adding a layer of authenticity and depth to his narrative. His dedication to preserving the memories of his fellow soldiers and providing a voice to their experiences shines through in this poignant and powerful account. I highly recommend this book to readers interested in firsthand narratives of war, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience in times of adversity.
