The Awful Australian

"The Awful Australian" by Valerie Desmond is a witty observation of early 20th-century Australian life. The book looks at the culture, politics, and identity of a young nation through a sharply critical lens. The author pokes fun at what she sees as the overconfidence of Australians and their high opinions of themselves and their country. The book takes aim at a range of topics, from the skills of Australian politicians to the Australian accent and manners, offering a sometimes harsh but always engaging view of a society finding its place in the world and awkwardly holding on to its British roots.