ABSTRACT

One of Australia's most respected novelists, Alex Miller's writing is both popular and critically well-received. He is twice winner of Australia's premier literary prize, the Miles Franklin Award. He has said that writing is his way of 'locating connections' and his work is known for its deeply empathic engagement with relationships and cultures.

This collection explores his early and later works, including Miller's best-known novels, The Ancestor Game, Journey to the Stone Country, Lovesong and Autumn Laing. Contributors examine his intricately constructed plots, his interest in the nature of home and migration, the representation in his work of Australian history and culture, and key recurring themes including art and Aboriginal issues. Also included is a memoir, illustrated by photographs from his personal collection, in which Alex Miller reflects on his writing life.

With contributions from leading critics including Raimond Gaita, Peter Pierce, Ronald A. Sharp, Brenda Walker, Elizabeth Webby and Geordie Williamson, this collection is the first substantial critical analysis of Alex Miller's work. It is an invaluable resource for anyone teaching and studying contemporary Australian literature.

chapter |28 pages

Disestablished Worlds

An Introduction to the Novels of Alex Miller

chapter 1|13 pages

The MASK of FICTION: A Memoir

chapter 2|13 pages

Alex Miller and Leo Tolstoy

Australian Storytelling in a European Tradition

chapter 3|11 pages

‘MY MEMORY HAS a MIND of ITS OWN’

Watching the Climbers on the Mountain and The Tivington Nott

chapter 6|12 pages

Like/Unlike

Portraiture, Similitude and the Craft of Words in The Sitters

chapter 7|13 pages

An ARTIST in the FAMILY

Reconfigurations of Romantic Paradigms in Prochownik’s Dream

chapter 11|14 pages

The FRONTIER WARS

History and Fiction in Journey to the Stone Country and Landscape of Farewell 1

chapter 12|17 pages

Old Testament Prophets, New Testament Saviours

Reading Retribution and Forgiveness Towards Whiteness in Journey to the Stone Country

chapter 13|14 pages

Dougals’s Goat

Alex Miller and the Species Barrier

chapter 14|16 pages

The RUIN of TIME and the TEMPORALITY of BELONGING

Journey to the Stone Country and Landscape of Farewell

chapter 15|14 pages

TRUSTING the WORDS

Reflections on Landscape of Farewell

chapter 16|14 pages

‘BRIGHT TREASURES of PERCEPTION’

Writing Art and Painting Words in Autumn Laing