Asia and the Contemporary Australian Novel
Abstract
Discusses the growing (and shifting) interest of Australian writers in Asian cultures, religions and philosophies and gives an overview of the representation of Asia in some recent Australian novels. Argues that earlier Australian novels “saw Asia simply as an exotic background for adventure romance”, whereas more recent fiction has reflected more complex attitudes towards Asia and has started to explore Asian philosophies and cultures for elements which challenge and clarify the way Australians perceive their “psychic relationship with the universe”.
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Published 1 October 1984 in Volume 11 No. 4. Subjects: Asia, Asian culture, Australian novels & novelists, Buddhism, Literary portrayal, Taoism.
Cite as: Tiffin, Helen. ‘Asia and the Contemporary Australian Novel.’ Australian Literary Studies, vol. 11, no. 4, 1984, doi: 10.20314/als.77aac205df.