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‘In God’s Vineyard’ : Writing to a Prime Minister single work   review  
Issue Details: First known date: 2022... 2022 ‘In God’s Vineyard’ : Writing to a Prime Minister
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Letter writing thrives on distance. Out of necessity, in the early years of European settlement, Australia became a nation of letter writers. The remoteness of the island continent gave the letter a special importance. Even those unused to writing had so much to say, and such a strong need to hear from home, that the laborious business of pen and ink and the struggles with spelling were overcome. Early letters reflected the homesickness of settlers as well as their sense of achievement and their need to hold on to a former life. It’s possible to see the emergence of a democratic tradition of letter writing in those needful times. Rich or poor, well educated or semi-literate, they all felt the urge to connect.'  (Introduction)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Australian Book Review no. 439 January–February 2022 23639512 2022 periodical issue

    'Welcome to ABR’s summer-sized first issue of the year. Diaries and letters abound, with Lisa Gorton delving into the final instalment of Helen Garner’s published journals, and Brenda Niall reflecting on Martyn Lyon’s epistolary collection of letters sent to Robert Menzies during his prime ministership. In poetry, ABR is delighted to publish the stunning poems shortlisted for the 2022 Peter Porter Poetry Prize, as well as reviews of new collections by Tracy K. Smith, A. Frances Johnson, and David Musgrave. Elsewhere, in historical musings, Mark McKenna looks at Doug Munro’s chronicle of the scandalous stand-off between publisher Peter Ryan and historian Manning Clark. And in fiction we have reviews of new works by John le Carré, Louise Erdrich, Hannah Kent, and Wole Soyinka. Plus much more!' (Publication summary)

         2022     pg. 12-13
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Last amended 4 Jan 2022 09:02:33
12-13 https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/abr-online/archive/2022/january-february-2022-no-439/974-january-february-2022-no-439/8756-brenda-niall-reviews-dear-prime-minister-letters-to-robert-menzies-1949-1966-by-martyn-lyons ‘In God’s Vineyard’ : Writing to a Prime Ministersmall AustLit logo Australian Book Review
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