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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'The poems in Walking on Ashes present a war memoir told from a less-reported perspective: the point of view of life on the Australian homefront by a writer revisiting her WWII childhood and the absence of her father. The return of her father with a serious injury and the destruction of his hopes and subsequent alcoholism is the main thread running through this powerful collection.' (Publisher's blurb)
Notes
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Epigraph: For the last time I say War is not glorious. - Siegfried Sassoon
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Dedication:
For my father
I am grief
I am the tongue
Of war
Andrei Voznesensky
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Author's note:
In 1914 men left for war expectant of a great adventure.So many died. So many returned haunted, silent, desperate with what they had seen and endured. Their families wore the legacy of their pain and loss.
The truth of war is suffering and death.
This story is my journey into understanding.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Profile of a Press : Puncher and Wattmann
2015
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australian Poetry Journal , vol. 5 no. 2 2015; (p. 38-47) 'The multi-award winning poet and novelist David Musgrave founded the independent publishing company Puncher and Wattmann in 2005. Its name derives from Lucky's soliloquy in Beckett's Waiting for Godot. In ten years, the press has produced some on hundred and ten books and established itself as a significant and reputable presence in the Australian cultural landscape. Though poetry titles constitute about three-quarters of the Puncher and Wattmann list, the press has also published literary fiction, literary and cultural criticism and biography.' (Introduction 39) -
Biennial Book Awards Poetry Competition 2011 : Judge's Report
2011-2012
single work
column
— Appears in: Images , December - February 2011-2012; (p. 26) -
Untitled
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 321 2010; (p. 65)
— Review of Walking on Ashes 2009 selected work poetry -
Explorations of Life and Death
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 1 May 2010; (p. 18)
— Review of Walking on Ashes 2009 selected work poetry ; Wings of the Same Bird 2009 selected work poetry ; Possession : Poems about the Voyage of Lt James Cook in The Endeavour 1768-1771 2010 selected work poetry
-
Explorations of Life and Death
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 1 May 2010; (p. 18)
— Review of Walking on Ashes 2009 selected work poetry ; Wings of the Same Bird 2009 selected work poetry ; Possession : Poems about the Voyage of Lt James Cook in The Endeavour 1768-1771 2010 selected work poetry -
Untitled
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 321 2010; (p. 65)
— Review of Walking on Ashes 2009 selected work poetry -
Biennial Book Awards Poetry Competition 2011 : Judge's Report
2011-2012
single work
column
— Appears in: Images , December - February 2011-2012; (p. 26) -
Profile of a Press : Puncher and Wattmann
2015
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australian Poetry Journal , vol. 5 no. 2 2015; (p. 38-47) 'The multi-award winning poet and novelist David Musgrave founded the independent publishing company Puncher and Wattmann in 2005. Its name derives from Lucky's soliloquy in Beckett's Waiting for Godot. In ten years, the press has produced some on hundred and ten books and established itself as a significant and reputable presence in the Australian cultural landscape. Though poetry titles constitute about three-quarters of the Puncher and Wattmann list, the press has also published literary fiction, literary and cultural criticism and biography.' (Introduction 39)
Awards
- 2011 winner SWW Book Awards — Poetry
Last amended 13 Oct 2020 14:50:24