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'It is a place of ritual and nourishment, where an unspoken language of love and connection is recited daily. From our mothers' kitchens come offerings both sweet and savoury, the healthy and hearty followed by sugary indulgences. On the eve of Mother's Day, five Australians conjure memories of familial bonds seared in the simplest and most profound acts of devotion.' (Editor's abstract)
Jane Sullivan reports on a panel session from the 2012 Clunes Booktown Festival. The panel members were Nicolas Jose, Michael Heyward and Peter Goldsworthy, and the session was chaired by Peter Rose. The panel discussed 'Patrick White's Centenary - Why It Matters'.
A column canvassing current literary news including a report on changes to the judging criteria for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. Jason Steger writes that, following a discussion with David Malouf, the award trustees have updated the interpretation of Franklin's requirement that the winning book 'present Australian life in any of its phases'. Judges may now use their discretion to modernise the definition of 'Australianness'.
