Writing and Society Research Centre

The Writing and Society Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney is proud to announce the publication of the Sydney Review of Books, a free online literary review dedicated to long-form literary criticism, in the tradition of the New York Review of Books and the London Review of Books.

At a time when opportunities for the in-depth analysis and robust critical discussion of books have diminished greatly, the Sydney Review of Books presents extended essays by prominent critics and writers, examining recently published titles and placing them in relation to the authors’ work as a whole, and the larger issues which they bring into play. There will also be a regular feature, ‘Critic Watch’, keeping a close eye on the practice of reviewers and the reception given to high-profile authors. Though the focus will be on Australian fiction, non-fiction and poetry, consideration will also be given to significant overseas literary titles.

A number of essays are now available on the Sydney Review of Books website,(opens in a new window) with new postings at regular weekly intervals until this edition of the Review is complete in April 2013. The preparation of this prototype edition and the commissioning of essays has been supported by the Writing and Society Research Centre, but because the process is an expensive one, the continuation of the Sydney Review will depend on the support of its readers, and on the success of our applications to sponsors and funding agencies.

The contributors include Peter Pierce on Robert Drewe, Nicholas Jose on The Burning Library, Kerryn Goldsworthy on the Australian classic, Evelyn Juers on Michelle de Kretser, Delia Falconer on American novels of the Iraq war, Bernadette Brennan on Brian Castro, Lisa Gorton on Robert Gray, Ivor Indyk on Murray Bail, and Susan Sheridan on Alice Munro.

The editor is the distinguished critic Dr James Ley, who says of the project: ‘Australia’s critical culture has become thinner in recent years, in large part because there are so few opportunities to write detailed and reflective literary essays for a mainstream audience. I hope that the Sydney Review of Books, by providing a venue for this kind of writing, will encourage writers and readers to rediscover the art of criticism. If readers recognise the need for this kind of publication and get behind it, there is no reason why it can’t flourish.’