Cirrus@Austlit

'This intriguing issue presents essays, memoir and creative work by disabled and non-disabled writers on the subjects of disability and of the interrelation of writing and disability.

'Blind writer and critic Amanda Tink discusses the impact of Henry Lawson’s deafness on his style and created world. Ben Stubbs walks the streets of Adelaide blindfolded to learn more of the sightless city. Deaf author Jessica White discusses the deafness of Maud Praed. Josephine Taylor writes an incisive essay on Vulvodynia. There are discussions of visible and invisible disabilities, of the poetics of disability, of disability and silence, of little known or largely unrecognised disabilities, and of the difficulties confronting discussion of disability in the first place. There is also Southerly’s usual feast of reviews and recent Australian and New Zealand writing, including striking new works by Anthony Mannix, Elizabeth Holdsworth, Peter Boyle, Koraly Dimitriadis and many others.' (Publication summary)

'In this compelling collection, eighty-nine writers traverse their particular territory of loss and bring back travellers’ tales. Their skilfully crafted accounts are insightful, inspiring, amusing, heart-breaking, resilient and, above all, damn good reading.

'‘This beautiful collection of writings explores the landscape of loss. It will meet you where you are. You’ll find yourself reaching for particular pieces that somehow articulate how you’re feeling, even before you’ve found the words to express it yourself… May this book become both a friend and a warm companion.’ - Petrea King, Quest for Life Centre'   (Publication summary)