Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836-1939
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, countless distinguished writers made the long and arduous voyage across the seas to Australia. They came to give lecture tours and make money, to sort out difficult children sent here to be out of the way; for health, for science, to escape demanding spouses back home, or simply to satisfy a sense of adventure.
In 1890, for example, Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny arrived at Circular Quay after a dramatic sea voyage only to be refused entry at the Victoria, one of Sydney’s most elegant hotels. Stevenson threw a tantrum, but was forced to go to a cheaper, less fussy establishment. Next day, the Victoria’s manager, recognising the famous author from a picture in the paper, rushed to find Stevenson and beg him to return. Stevenson did not.
Just (AU) $40.00
Free postage and handling throughout Australia. Shipping added for international orders.
Brief Encounters offers a fascinating exploration of the lives and writings of literary giants like Charles Darwin, Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, and many others during their visits to Australia. Whether drawn by health needs, the promise of adventure, or a desire to escape personal pressures, these writers left behind lasting impressions of the country and its people. This book examines their views on Australia—Darwin’s fascination with the misnamed “lion-ant,” Kipling’s take on Australia’s American influences, and Conan Doyle’s reflections on the treatment of indigenous peoples.
The book delves into the diverse reasons for their travels: lecture tours, financial gain, scientific inquiry, and the occasional need to manage troublesome children. It also looks at how the Australian public and media responded to their presence, and how their experiences here impacted their future works. With infectious enthusiasm, Brief Encounters uncovers flashes of irony, idiosyncrasy, and occasional insight, offering readers a vivid portrait of both the authors and the evolving Australian character.
“Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836 – 1939 is the full title of Susannah Fullerton’s latest work. And that just about sums up its contents. But that dry and scholarly description masks a feast of anecdote, insight and beautifully turned narrative that sheds an amusing light on how Australians relate to a frequently uncomprehending rest of the world … Brief Encounters is a delightful book, well illustrated and indexed. Definitely one to seek out.”
― Ray Franklin, Sunshine Coast newspapers
Many people have enjoyed reading Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia 1836-1939. Read more of their reviews here.