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* Contents derived from the 2004-2005 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Peter Nicholls comments on the coincidence of discovering in the November 2004 issue of Australian Book Review an essay by his daughter, Sophie Cunningham and a cover photo of his older cousin, Jean Campbell. Nicholls compares the character and style of the two women, noting their similarities.
Powell writes of the experience he shared with Manning Clark of sorting through Clark's papers for the National Library of Australia's manuscript collections.
Rose examines trends in book reviewing and literary criticism in Australia, incorporating anecdotes from his personal life and from his editorship of Australian Book Review. He finally asks where the 'greatest responsibility' of critics lie and responds 'I believe that our ultimate responsibility is to the work itself ... not to its hopeful maker, intended audience or national honour.' Only by sumbitting to the work can a reviewer 'attain a sophisticated critical position' and begin to empathise, criticise and 'in the true sense of the word' promote our literature.
Ivor Indyk reflects on the trend to publish 'Best of' anthologies, the contents of which are often drawn from small literary magazines without consultation with or permission from the magazines' editors.