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Florence James Florence James i(A870 works by) (a.k.a. Florence Heyting; Florence Gertrude James)
Born: Established: 2 Sep 1902 Gisborne, East Cape, North Island,
c
New Zealand,
c
Pacific Region,
; Died: Ceased: 25 Aug 1993 Sydney, New South Wales,
Gender: Female
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Works By

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1 From : Come in Spinner Dymphna Cusack , Florence James , 2009 extract novel (Come in Spinner)
— Appears in: Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 496-500)
1 14 y separately published work icon Yarn Spinners : A Story in Letters : Dymphna Cusack, Florence James, Miles Franklin Dymphna Cusack , Miles Franklin , Florence James , Marilla North (editor), St Lucia : University of Queensland Press , 2001 Z899867 2001 anthology correspondence biography From the correspondence between Cusack, James and Franklin across the years 1928 to the death of Franklin in 1954, Yarn Spinners: A Story in Letters has been shaped by a process of selection, editing, weaving and providing narrative links in order to develop a continuous narrative of the friendship, collaborations and inter-related lives of these three Australian women writers. The Prologue gives a biographical overview of each of their lives. Each of the five narrative Parts is briefly prefaced with its socio-historical context.

Part I:1928-1935 sets up the Cusack-James relationship as they write to each other as young women graduates: Cusack is teaching in remote rural NSW schools whilst James does the Grand Tour of Europe, finally settling down in London where she marries in 1933.

Part II :1938-39 establishes the friendship of Cusack and Franklin which develops during their collaboration on the scandalous sesqui-centennial satire Pioneers on Parade. In Part III:1945-47, Cusack and James, both burnt out at the end of WWII, set up a writing retreat in the Blue Mountains and collaborate on their prizewinning bestseller expose of wartime Sydney, Come In Spinner.

In Part IV: 1947-49, James returns to London and Cusack follows through the revisions demanded by the Daily Telegraph before they will award the thousand pounds prize money. Cusack is also researching her "tuberculosis novel" Say No To Death. All That Swagger is published by Angus & Robertson whilst Franklin endures her nephew's war neurosis and makes her final Will, providing for an annual [Miles] Franklin Award. In mid-1949 Cusack leaves for Europe.

In Part V:1950-55 the Cusack-Franklin-James friendships are now essentially carried through their correspondence; Come In Spinner is published to press acclaim in London, with Cusack's Say No To Death, Southern Steel and Caddie following in quick succession. Angus & Robertson finally began publishing the "Brent of Bin Bin" series. James, now divorced, rearing two daughters, begins work with London publisher Constable & Co as a reader and talent scout for Australian writers. Franklin and Cusack's friendship provides the emotional fulcrum for this final Part.

The Chronology (1879-2001) provides the facts of the lives and works; the Biographical Notes provide an inventory of most of the cast of characters who appear in the letters.

1 Sunday VI Dymphna Cusack , Florence James , 2000 extract novel (Come in Spinner)
— Appears in: In the Gutter... Looking at the Stars : A Literary Adventure through Kings Cross 2000; (p. 107-113)
1 [Untitled] (from Come in Spinner) Dymphna Cusack , Florence James , 1991 single work novel extract
— Appears in: The Language of Love : An Anthology of Australian Love Letters, Poetry and Prose 1991; (p. 118-120)
1 Come in Spinner : An Addendum Florence James , Marilla North , 1990 single work criticism
— Appears in: Meanjin , Autumn vol. 49 no. 1 1990; (p. 178-188)
1 Doing the Gentlemanly Thing (from Come in Spinner) Dymphna Cusack , Florence James , 1989 extract
— Appears in: On All Fronts : Australian Stories of World War II 1989; (p. 210-222)
1 Jungfrau Florence James , 1989 single work criticism biography
— Appears in: Jungfrau 1989; (p. v-xv)
1 Untitled Florence James , 1952 single work review
— Appears in: Meanjin , Spring vol. 11 no. 3 1952; (p. 296-297)

— Review of Jimmy Brockett : Portrait of a Notable Australian Dal Stivens , 1951 single work novel
1 London Letter : The Cultural Cringe Abroad Florence James , 1951 single work criticism
— Appears in: Meanjin , Autumn vol. 10 no. 1 1951; (p. 61-63)
9 43 y separately published work icon Come in Spinner Florence James , Dymphna Cusack , Melbourne : Heinemann , 1951 Z846941 1951 single work novel The action revolves largely around the Hotel South Pacific where the girls and the 'occupying' American troops meet in the vestibule, while upstairs in the Marie Antionette beauty salon the attendants Deb, Guinea and Claire, each with her own complicated romantic entanglement, work long hours to disguise the shortcomings of their rich, fat clientele. A book sharply observant of the new era ushered in by WWII.
1 5 y separately published work icon Four Winds and a Family Dymphna Cusack , Florence James , Melbourne London : Lansdowne , 1946 Z836691 1946 single work children's fiction children's adventure
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