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Australian classics (Read 6627 times)
bogarde73
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Australian classics
Nov 24th, 2016 at 11:03am
 
Someone or other has drawn up a list of 100 classics of Australian literature.
The trouble is all but a few of them are out of print and hard to find second hand.

Which is the excuse given for there being only two courses and two Chairs of Australian Literature in our - how many? - universities. And one of those isn't in the ANU. One academic reports that Australian literature is taught about more in foreign unis that it is here.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/booksplus/defining-australian-class...

Which authors or books would you include in a list of Australian classics?
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #1 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 9:32am
 
Such a list needs to have a pre-amble that sets out the limitations of applying contemporary values to works from earlier eras. In such case a reasonable familiarity with social attitudes and customs are entirely necessary. Nor do I feel an author needs to be the finest writer for works to have some important place.

Also, the definition of literature in this case will have to be clarified to include or exclude non-fiction.

In fiction you might have to start with For the Term of His Natural Life, by Marcus Clarke, but it will test you on the above requirements. Norman Lindsay for The Age of Consent. On the Beach, Nevill Shute, Idriess' The Desert Column. The Sword and the Blossom by Ray Parkin needs to be re-examined, it got good reviews in a time when an appreciation of the arts was not exactly wide spread in Australia. The list goes on and on.

For secondhand books go to www.abebooks.com an online clearing house for secondhand book dealers worldwide.

If you cannot find it there, it probably doesn't exist.
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greggerypeccary
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #2 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 9:36am
 

The Bodysurfers, by Robert Drewe, would make my list.

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Belgarion
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #3 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 10:07am
 
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by LM Gibbs
Seven Little Australians by E Turner
A Town Like Alice by N Shute
Power Without Glory by F Hardy

Just some I have read and would include on any list of classics.
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greggerypeccary
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #4 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 11:37am
 

Dirt Music - Tim Winton

The Harp in The South - Ruth Park
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bogarde73
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #5 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:05pm
 
Definitely Power without Glory & Harp in the South (also Poor Man's Orange).
Also My Brilliant Career & All That Swagger.
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greggerypeccary
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #6 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:09pm
 
bogarde73 wrote on Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:05pm:
Definitely Power without Glory & Harp in the South (also Poor Man's Orange).
Also My Brilliant Career & All That Swagger.



I haven't read Harp in the South for years.

I'll have to go down to Dymocks at lunch time, to see if they have it in stock.

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Re: Australian classics
Reply #7 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:20pm
 
I'm a Tim Winton fan, so I'd have to include:
  1. Cloudstreet
  2. Dirt Music
  3. Breath
  4. Shallows


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greggerypeccary
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #8 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:24pm
 
NorthOfNorth wrote on Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:20pm:
I'm a Tim Winton fan, so I'd have to include:
  1. Cloudstreet
  2. Dirt Music
  3. Breath
  4. Shallows




I enjoyed Eyrie, too.

Haven't read Shallows, though. Might pick that up today as well.

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Re: Australian classics
Reply #9 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:50pm
 
What Australian novel(s) marks the beginning of Australian literature, that is, literature that is uniquely Australian?

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Re: Australian classics
Reply #10 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 1:42pm
 
I'd like to second, or third, Power Without Glory. My mother helped with the secret printing and distribution.
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bogarde73
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #11 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 2:35pm
 
Also Kylie Tennant - The Battlers/ George Johnston - My Brother Jack

Personally I don't think a book can be considered a classic till some considerable period has passed since publication, allowing for critical and popular assessment over time. Say at least 30 years.

But then what do you do when a Charles Dickens comes along.
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NorthOfNorth
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #12 - Nov 25th, 2016 at 4:10pm
 
greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:24pm:
NorthOfNorth wrote on Nov 25th, 2016 at 12:20pm:
I'm a Tim Winton fan, so I'd have to include:
  1. Cloudstreet
  2. Dirt Music
  3. Breath
  4. Shallows



I enjoyed Eyrie, too.

Haven't read Shallows, though. Might pick that up today as well.


Of all Winton's novels I've read, Eyrie was the only one I listened to via audio book and, unfortunately, Michael Veitch's narration ended it for me...

The narrations of Breath and Dirt Music were excellent.

As was 'The Turning'... But the film adaptation was a mess... (Tim, keep the Eastern States bullshit 'artistes' away from your West Coast genius... You know they're only going to f#ck it up with a 'dance interpretation'!!?? WTF!! I mean, your characters explaining their existential angst via 'ballet'!? ).

Shallows audio was OK but (don't bash me feminists!) but I don't think Winton's novels lend themselves well to female narration.
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bogarde73
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #13 - Nov 26th, 2016 at 6:31am
 
You'd probably have to include the stories of Henry Lawson.
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Re: Australian classics
Reply #14 - Nov 26th, 2016 at 6:38am
 
'The Lucky Country' (1964) by Donald Horne.
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