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Notes
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First publication date given as 1993 (in True Stories)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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‘Ordinary Readers’ and Political Uses : Re-Examining Helen Garner’s Non-Fiction Writings about Filicide
2020
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australian Literary Studies , 29 October vol. 35 no. 2 2020;'Helen Garner’s literary non-fiction book This House of Grief (2014), as well as her two essays ‘Why She Broke’ (2017) and ‘Killing Daniel’ (1993), all deal with instances of filicide. This article begins by offering a reading of these writings in which I argue that they perpetuate a mythologisation of family violence which prevents us from viewing that violence as an ameliorable social injustice. I look at Rita Felski’s injunction to engage more deeply with what she calls ‘ordinary readers'’ uses of literature as a way to question the relevance of the kind of critique put forth in the first section; ultimately, I find that the context of Garner’s popular reception actually vindicates a critical focus on the political import of the writing.' (Publication abstract)
-
‘Ordinary Readers’ and Political Uses : Re-Examining Helen Garner’s Non-Fiction Writings about Filicide
2020
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australian Literary Studies , 29 October vol. 35 no. 2 2020;'Helen Garner’s literary non-fiction book This House of Grief (2014), as well as her two essays ‘Why She Broke’ (2017) and ‘Killing Daniel’ (1993), all deal with instances of filicide. This article begins by offering a reading of these writings in which I argue that they perpetuate a mythologisation of family violence which prevents us from viewing that violence as an ameliorable social injustice. I look at Rita Felski’s injunction to engage more deeply with what she calls ‘ordinary readers'’ uses of literature as a way to question the relevance of the kind of critique put forth in the first section; ultimately, I find that the context of Garner’s popular reception actually vindicates a critical focus on the political import of the writing.' (Publication abstract)
Awards
- 1993 winner Walkley Award
