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Latest Issues
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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The Alpha and Omega of Brennan's The Wanderer
2011
single work
criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , vol. 11 no. 2 2011; 'The influence of Nietzsche's Also Sprach Zarathustra on Christopher Brennan's poem The Wanderer has been underestimated. It is especially apparent in the epigraph, and the poems (86 and 99) which open and close the sequence. The inner quest described in The Wanderer is generally held to have been a failure, but a revaluation in the light of the Nietzschean influence, incorporating a recension of the crucial poem 99, reveals a different story. The annular nature of the quest as described in the epigraph derives from Nietzsche's notion of Eternal Return , on which he confessed Zarathustra to be founded. Themes from Zarathustra dominate poem 86, and recur in poem 99. The line in the latter 'no ending of the way, no home, no goal', which has been widely interpreted as a confession of failure of the quest, is demonstrated to have been sourced from Zarathustra, where it does not bear that inference at all, but rather of triumph over doubt. The pivotal word 'withhold' in poem 99 is shown to be used in its archaic and neutral sense of 'hold within', rather than its modern sense of 'refuse to give up'. The Wanderer's quest is a success to approximately the same degree as that of Nietzsche's hero. Such clarity as to Brennan's achievement is essential if he is to attain the global reputation which many would argue he deserves.' (Author's abstract)
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The Advancing Wave : Australian Literary Biography Since 1980
1992
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Reconnoitres : Essays in Australian Literature in Honour of G. A. Wilkes 1992; (p. 191-203) Studies in Australian Literary History 1997; (p. 215-229) -
Two Remarkable Australians
1991
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 19 January 1991; (p. B6)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
Paperbacks
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian Magazine , 18-19 August 1990; (p. 7)
— Review of The Way My Father Tells It : The Story of an Australian Life 1989 single work autobiography ; Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
Australia's Nineties
1982
single work
review
— Appears in: London Review of Books , 15 July - 4 August 1982; (p. 6-8)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism
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Untitled
1982
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Literary Studies , May vol. 10 no. 3 1982; (p. 402-405)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
Paperbacks
1990
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian Magazine , 18-19 August 1990; (p. 7)
— Review of The Way My Father Tells It : The Story of an Australian Life 1989 single work autobiography ; Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
The Genius and Tragedy of Christopher Brennan
1980
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 23 August 1980; (p. 12)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
Untitled
1980
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 29 July vol. 101 no. 5222 1980; (p. 68)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
Sydney Bohemian Eludes Biographer
1980
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 25 1980; (p. 27-28)
— Review of Christopher Brennan : A Critical Biography 1980 single work criticism -
The Alpha and Omega of Brennan's The Wanderer
2011
single work
criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , vol. 11 no. 2 2011; 'The influence of Nietzsche's Also Sprach Zarathustra on Christopher Brennan's poem The Wanderer has been underestimated. It is especially apparent in the epigraph, and the poems (86 and 99) which open and close the sequence. The inner quest described in The Wanderer is generally held to have been a failure, but a revaluation in the light of the Nietzschean influence, incorporating a recension of the crucial poem 99, reveals a different story. The annular nature of the quest as described in the epigraph derives from Nietzsche's notion of Eternal Return , on which he confessed Zarathustra to be founded. Themes from Zarathustra dominate poem 86, and recur in poem 99. The line in the latter 'no ending of the way, no home, no goal', which has been widely interpreted as a confession of failure of the quest, is demonstrated to have been sourced from Zarathustra, where it does not bear that inference at all, but rather of triumph over doubt. The pivotal word 'withhold' in poem 99 is shown to be used in its archaic and neutral sense of 'hold within', rather than its modern sense of 'refuse to give up'. The Wanderer's quest is a success to approximately the same degree as that of Nietzsche's hero. Such clarity as to Brennan's achievement is essential if he is to attain the global reputation which many would argue he deserves.' (Author's abstract)
-
The Advancing Wave : Australian Literary Biography Since 1980
1992
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Reconnoitres : Essays in Australian Literature in Honour of G. A. Wilkes 1992; (p. 191-203) Studies in Australian Literary History 1997; (p. 215-229) -
Elaborate Brute
1982
single work
criticism
— Appears in: London Review of Books , 15 July - 4 August 1982; Snakecharmers in Texas : Essays 1980-87 1988; (p. 17-29) -
NBC Book Awards 1980 Judges Report
1980
single work
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , October no. 25 1980; (p. 24)
Awards
- 1980 highly commended National Book Council Award for Australian Literature
Last amended 22 Feb 2005 12:48:20
