Australian Writers

"Australian Writers" by Desmond Byrne is a historical look at the emergence of a unique Australian literature in the late 1800s. The book thinks about the challenges and successes of early Australian authors as they tried to create a national identity through their writing. It tackles the problem of why a country full of readers had trouble producing its own great books, especially compared to other places like America. Byrne looks at how Australian writers were often judged against British authors and argues that they deserved more recognition and encouragement. This exploration sets the scene for understanding the specific authors discussed later and the bigger issue of what Australian literature means.