Cirrus@Austlit

'In Egypt, in Gallipoli and in France, they are many who sleep beneath a small wooden cross and each cross will testify to people over there that we from downunder knew how to fight for a noble idea.

'In this WW1 novel, published in English for the first time, Jim and Dick are two lively boys from the bush, along with 20,000 other Australians and New Zealanders, who embarked on what seemed to be a great adventure when they enlisted in the 1st AIF - to fight for 'King and Empire'. Their experience is cut short when both are seriously wounded on the Gallipoli peninsula. They find themselves in beds next to each other on a hospital ship headed for England. As they slowly recover, they discover the 'old country' of their ancestors. Unfortunately, they fall for the same young English nurse and a love triangle emerges to trouble their futures.

'French/Australian author Paul Wenz based his novel and short stories on personal experience as an immigrant grazier in central NSW and working for the Red Cross in France and London during World War I. The writing is simple, at times poetic and humorous, instinctively seductive, devoid of convention and banality.' (Publication summary)

'The French translation of her prize-winning novel Come in Spinner (with Florence James) took Dymphna Cusack to France where she became engulfed in conflict with the publisher and challenged by the language. During her sojourns in Paris, the south and south-west, she discovered a culture that stimulated her intellectually and reinforced her home-grown ideologies. France became her ‘second’ home: the bustle of Paris, the warm tranquil countryside and long-lasting friendships. Her literary career blossomed there, gaining international recognition.' (Publication summary)

'Ludovic de Beauvoir's 1868 published account of his discovery of Australia during his round-the-world journey provides a fascinating picture of the British colonies of the mid-1800s. This article examines his observations about the Australian colonies within the broader context, taking into account reports in contemporary local newspapers and other sources. Depicted is a young society viewed through the prism of the author's native country, France, and his adopted country, England, and reflects the class and racial divisions, general attitudes and prejudices of the time. These are especially commented upon as he visits each town and its district — from Melbourne to Hobart, then Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane. As an outsider's perspective of the past, 'Australie' contributes to the growing historiography of the country.

De Beauvoir's last book published in 1931 testifies to his life-long admiration for Australia and Australians.' ' (Author's abstract)

French abstract for 2009 edition:

'Du récit à valeur documentaire sous l'époque coloniale jusqu'à la tendance contemporaine de l'illustration graphique, le roman australien a connu un essor spectaculaire en à peine plus d'un siècle et demi. Pourtant, malgré la renommée internationale des auteurs comme Richard Flanagan, Thomas Keneally, Morris West, Patrick White ou Colleen McCullough, la littérature australienne demeure mal connue du public francophone.

'Ce panorama du roman australien des origines à nos jours propose, pour la première fois, une introduction générale à la littérature australienne. Les courants, les auteurs et les oeuvres majeurs sont présentés de manière didactique et chronologique. L'auteur retrace également les métamorphoses du genre romanesque en Australie et propose une analyse originale des six seuils qui jalonnent son évolution.

'Ce livre constitue ainsi une somme encyclopédique consacrée à la littérature des antipodes.' (Publisher's blurb)

English abstract for 2010 edition:

'Written originally for a French audience to inform them about the richness of Australian writing, The Great Australian Novel - A Panorama now appears in a remastered English version. It is a story of Australia, its people and ideas, its history and geography as revealed through the exciting genre of the Australian novel.

'As the title indicates, the book has an innovative cinematic structure containing 35 inserts: Close-ups of an author, low-angle shots for the greats - novels and/or authors, panoramic views for themes or the career of specific writers and bonus items such as a bibliography and an index.

'The author speaks directly to the reader in a free-flowing narrative that is concerned with involving the reader emotionally and intellectually. Highlighted along the way are contributions by women, non-Anglophone and Aboriginal authors, as well as the most recent trends in writing.

'A timely book for the general reader that will stimulate an interest in Australian literature.' (From the Pan Macmillan website, for the 2010 English version.)