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Granta: The Magazine of New Writing #70
Australia: The New New World, Granta 70
Is Australia a remote chunk of the northern, western world or a part of Asia? Is it a new version of the USA with European manners ("the new California"), or a second-hand version of Europe with American ones? How does it accommodate the fate of its original human inhabitants, or propose a decent future for them? Why is its head of state still the British queen? In Australia, two universal, modern problems are vividly posed. Who are we? What shall we become?
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2000
51 people want to read
About the author
Ian Jack
138 books10 followersIan Jack is a British journalist and writer who has edited the Independent on Sunday and the literary magazine Granta and now writes regularly for The Guardian.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 23, 2012
It was fitting to publish in 1999 this collection of writings and photos of Australia, one of the first nations to usher in a new century, leaving behind a century that brought enormous change to the country. The writings cover themes of identity - personal and national and ethnic identity. We see individuals pull away from their Australian identities only to reach back to a British identity that is no longer theirs. Unresolved is how to integrate Aboriginals into this relatively new nation. Many of the authors mention progress in terms of what happened in Sydney post-World War II. We see the Opera House get built. Elsewhere transportation brings the small towns to the nation. And history is everywhere: the Kelly gang, the first World War and it's aftermath to Thomas Kenneally's father. The Second World War brings a career to an Australian woman but not a happy marriage in "War Work.". Thankfully the entire collection starts with a small glossary of Australian vernacular, colorful as always. All in all, a very fine collection.
June 10, 2020
A literary journal like Granta needs no introduction. But perhaps I do need to explain why I'm reading a 20 year old issue, Granta 70: Australia: The New New World, first published in the summer of 2000 (winter in Australia).
Almost 4 years ago, Yiyun Li told our writing workshop about a story in this particular Granta issue. It was, according to her, a grand example of a child narrator and the power of imaginary friends. The title of that story, "Pobby and Dingan," stuck in my head but that's as far as it went.
About a year ago, I was preparing for our trip around the world. My goal was to read one work written in or about each of the countries we'd visit. Australia was on the list. The time seemed right to finally read the Granta Australia issue. Then I ran out of time and left it, half-read, on the nightstand.
3 months after our return and I've finally managed to finish the Australia issue. Boy, am I glad I did.
To read the full review, please visit my website for Australia.
Almost 4 years ago, Yiyun Li told our writing workshop about a story in this particular Granta issue. It was, according to her, a grand example of a child narrator and the power of imaginary friends. The title of that story, "Pobby and Dingan," stuck in my head but that's as far as it went.
About a year ago, I was preparing for our trip around the world. My goal was to read one work written in or about each of the countries we'd visit. Australia was on the list. The time seemed right to finally read the Granta Australia issue. Then I ran out of time and left it, half-read, on the nightstand.
3 months after our return and I've finally managed to finish the Australia issue. Boy, am I glad I did.
To read the full review, please visit my website for Australia.
March 13, 2025
Absolutely superb!
Particularly "New new world", "The Aquifier" and "Marrying Eddie".
Particularly "New new world", "The Aquifier" and "Marrying Eddie".
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews