'The Great War wrecked Europe. Millions lost their lives, whole towns disappeared into the mud, and the golden age of civilisation collapsed.
'Meanwhile, at the other end of the world, a new nation was born. Australia leapt from the debris, led by Anzacs silhouetted against the rising sun.
'One of the most astonishing outcomes of this war is the proliferation of art and creativity, both inspired by and addressing the War. Viewed as the most literary war ever fought, World War I was the first to involve literate populations on a grand scale.
'In The Purpose of Futility, Clare Rhoden surveys Australian Great War narratives, demonstrating their particularly Australian features which help to explain the unique and disputed position of the Great War in Australian history.' (Publication summary)
'Australian literary writing of the First World War remains largely unappreciated in the Australian cultural landscape. While there has been some scholarly consideration of this literature, notably by Robin Gerster and more recently by Christina Spittel, much remains to be said about those who have used fiction to say something about the experience of the First World War. Clare Rhoden's book, based on her PhD thesis, is a valuable contribution to this study. She argues that Australian readers have preferred overseas literary accounts of the war to those written by Australians, and by turning the spotlight on these narratives, Rhoden hopes to increase our appreciation and understanding of them.'
'Australian literary writing of the First World War remains largely unappreciated in the Australian cultural landscape. While there has been some scholarly consideration of this literature, notably by Robin Gerster and more recently by Christina Spittel, much remains to be said about those who have used fiction to say something about the experience of the First World War. Clare Rhoden's book, based on her PhD thesis, is a valuable contribution to this study. She argues that Australian readers have preferred overseas literary accounts of the war to those written by Australians, and by turning the spotlight on these narratives, Rhoden hopes to increase our appreciation and understanding of them.'
