Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LITERATURE
Australia's literary history harks back to Sydney's convict days. New experiences and land-
scapes inspired the colonists to commit their stories to the page. Though many early works
have been lost, some - like Marcus Clarke's convict drama For the Term of His Natural
Life (1870) - have become legendary.
On the design front, Australia's most successful export has been the work of Marc Newson, a
graduate of the Sydney College of the Arts. His aerodynamic Lockheed Lounge (1985-86) has
been snapped up by savvy furniture collectors and design buffs worldwide.
By the late 19th century, a more formal Australian literary movement was developing
with the Bulletin, an influential magazine promoting egalitarian and unionist thinking.
Well-known contributing authors of the time included Henry Lawson (1867-1922), who
wrote short stories about the Australian bush, and poet AB 'Banjo' Paterson (1864-1941),
who penned Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River .
My Brilliant Career (1901), by Miles Franklin (1879-1954), is considered the first au-
thentic Australian novel. The topic caused a sensation when it was revealed that Miles was
actually a woman.
Australian authors of international stature include Patrick White (Nobel Prize in Literat-
ure, 1973), Thomas Keneally (Booker Prize winner, 1982), Peter Carey (Booker Prize win-
ner 1988 and 2001) and Kate Grenville (Commonwealth Writers' Prize winner 2006). Oth-
er Sydney authors of note include David Malouf, Mandy Sayer, Shirley Hazzard, Eleanor
Dark and Ruth Park. For a list of some classic Sydney titles CLICK HERE .
SYDNEY ON THE SHELF
Sydney has been a rich setting and source material for the written word.
» Sydney , Delia Falconer (2010) An insightful dissection of the Harbour City by one of its own.
» The Secret River, Kate Grenville (2005) Grenville's Commonwealth Prize-winning and Booker-nominated
story of 19th-century convict life in Sydney and around the Hawkesbury River.
» Sydney Architecture, Paul McGillick and Patrick Bingham-Hall (2005) One for the coffee table, with beautiful
photographs and text showcasing 100-plus stunning Sydney buildings.
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