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The Poetical Works of Henry Lawson
Australian house-painter, author and poet.1867-1922
- GenresPoetry
470 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1896
9 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Henry Lawson
521 books43 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Henry Lawson was an Australian writer and poet. Along with his contemporary Banjo Paterson, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period and is often called Australia's "greatest writer".[1] He was the son of the poet, publisher and feminist Louisa Lawson.
For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_La... .
Henry Lawson was an Australian writer and poet. Along with his contemporary Banjo Paterson, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period and is often called Australia's "greatest writer".[1] He was the son of the poet, publisher and feminist Louisa Lawson.
For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_La... .
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 15, 2021
I've been composing this review in my mind while reading this ...
Firstly, Henry Lawson is an important part of Australia's literary heritage and his poetry is studied in schools as such. I enjoyed the vast majority of the poetry and enjoyed 'reading' (as in, out loud) each poem. They reflect events and lifeways that were part of the development of modern Australia. That said, they reflect the time/place in which he lived and the language choices and attitudes do as well. That means there are a few poems containing language and terms that would, today, be shocking or deeply offensive to people. One term in particular is used in both a negative way and as merely a naming word for Australia's First Nations peoples. I am not saying it is a good word, just acknowledging that it was the way in which some (white) Australians referred to them at that time.
I am also conscious that we twenty-first readers are using twenty-first language that may not be acceptable 100 years from now, though I always endeavour to be respectful and appropriate in my word choices. Keeping that in mind, I highly recommend all of the poems in this book but suggest skipping over the highly jingoistic 1918 introduction reproduced in this edition.
Firstly, Henry Lawson is an important part of Australia's literary heritage and his poetry is studied in schools as such. I enjoyed the vast majority of the poetry and enjoyed 'reading' (as in, out loud) each poem. They reflect events and lifeways that were part of the development of modern Australia. That said, they reflect the time/place in which he lived and the language choices and attitudes do as well. That means there are a few poems containing language and terms that would, today, be shocking or deeply offensive to people. One term in particular is used in both a negative way and as merely a naming word for Australia's First Nations peoples. I am not saying it is a good word, just acknowledging that it was the way in which some (white) Australians referred to them at that time.
I am also conscious that we twenty-first readers are using twenty-first language that may not be acceptable 100 years from now, though I always endeavour to be respectful and appropriate in my word choices. Keeping that in mind, I highly recommend all of the poems in this book but suggest skipping over the highly jingoistic 1918 introduction reproduced in this edition.
November 18, 2022
I am so glad I picked this up and gave Lawson a try! I have never felt a desire to visit Australia- land where everything can kill you- until I read some of Lawson's poetry describing the land. So many of the poems moved me- tugged on my heart, made me smile- there were a few that missed for me, but they were very few and far between. Some of the best poetry I've read in some time is in here, the rhythm and rhyme of each one was strong and lyrical. I think I’ll happily pick up more of Lawson- poetry and prose, and probably do some research into him as well.
July 22, 2024
I read a bit over the course of a month. It was great to know I knew a couple of his poems without knowing they were his. After reading all the verses you get a sense of what kind of life he led. Although times have changed his words won’t lost on me. A very good writer. Worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews