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Notes
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German translations of short stories by 35 Australian writers. Published in the then German Democratic Republic.
Includes biographical notes on the authors (pp. 541-557) and an afterword by the editor (pp. 531-540).
Contents
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Die Meuterei auf der Cyprus
The Seizure of 'The Cyprus',
Wolfgang Strauss
(translator)
single work
prose
non-fiction
'On the 9th of August, 1829, the 'Cyprus' a vessel which was employed by the Government of Hobart Town to Macquarie Harbour, was seized by the convicts and carried into the South Seas.' (112)
- Leutnant Darrells gefahrliche Lage Lieutenant Darrell's Predicament, Wolfgang Strauss (translator) single work short story (p. 15-35)
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Die Frau des Viehtreibers
The Drover's Wife,
Peter Kleinhempel
(translator)
single work
short story
First appearing in The Bulletin in 1892, Henry Lawson's short story 'The Drovers Wife' is today regarded as a seminal work in the Australian literary tradition. Noted for it's depiction of the bush as harsh, potentially threatening and both isolated and isolating, the story opens with a simple enough premise: an aggressive--and presumably deadly--snake disrupts the working life of a bushwoman and her young children. Brave but cautious, the woman resolves to protect her children since her husband is, characteristically, away from home and of no help.
As time passes within the story, tension builds, and the snake's symbolic threat takes on layers of meaning as the sleepless heroine recalls previous challenges she faced while her husband was away. A series of flashbacks and recollections propel the story through the single night over which it takes place, and by the time the climax arrives--the confrontation with the snake--readers have learned much about the heroine's strengths and fears, most of the latter involving the loss of children and dark figures who encroach upon her small, vulnerable homestead. To be sure, this "darkness" is highly symbolic, and Lawson's use of imagery invokes Western notions of good and evil as well as gendered and racial stereotypes.
- Die beiden Leichenzüge des Malachi Mooney The Funerals of Malachi Mooney, Reinhild Böhnke (translator) single work short story humour (p. 45-52)
- Sqeakers Gefaehrte Squeaker's Mate, Reinhild Böhnke (translator) single work short story (p. 53-70)
- Das Gold des Weihnachtstages The Discovery of Christmas Reef, Wolfgang Strauss (translator) single work short story (p. 71-96)
- Der hartnaeckige Vertreter The Cast-Iron Canvasser, Gisela Petersen (translator) single work short story humour satire science fiction (p. 97-106)
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Das Cooboo
The Cooboo,
Gisela Petersen
(translator)
single work
short story
Set on the wide plains of the Murndoo station, 'The Cooboo' is the story of Rose, a Wongana woman, mother, and stockwoman.
- Das Tor The Gateway, Klaus Schultz (translator) single work short story (p. 112-119)
- Treibgut Jettisoned, Klaus Schultz (translator) single work short story (p. 120-130)
- Ohne Anhang No Family, Gerhard Böttcher (translator) single work short story (p. 131-136)
- Schwester Ann Sister Ann, Christiane Agricola (translator) single work short story (p. 137-158)
- Vierzehn Faden tief vor Quetta Rock Fourteen Fathoms by Quetta Rock, Klaus Schultz (translator) single work short story (p. 159-170)
- Gaste Sojourners, Wolfgang Strauss (translator) single work short story (p. 171-188)
- Die Heimkehr Back for Good, Wolfgang Strauss (translator) single work short story (p. 189-198)
- Die Wanderschaft Pilgrimage, Reinhild Böhnke (translator) single work short story (p. 199-208)
- Die Party The Party, Gisela Petersen (translator) single work short story (p. 209-214)
- Der Pelikan The Pelican, Peter Kleinhempel (translator) single work short story (p. 215-222)
- Der Herr der Katzen To Command the Cats, Gerhard Böttcher (translator) single work short story (p. 223-230)
- Der Pfefferbaum The Pepper Tree, Gisela Petersen (translator) single work short story (p. 231-237)