Vance and Nettie Palmer: The Literary Journalism

Abstract

Vance and Nettie Palmer engaged in literary journalism throughout their careers. They knew that good reviewing in the weeklies and monthlies is—in Frank Kermode's words—'an essential element in the hygiene of a literary culture', and they rarely refused an occasion to review, comment or lecture. Their literary journalism has more than an interest as a témoignage. Most of it is lively and interesting, the best of it has validity and relevance as criticism. Some of it has necessarily dated and many of the issues that engage them have inevitably receded into the past, but it presents us with a body of work that greatly enriches our sense of the cultural awareness of Australia in the years from 1920-1933. I know of no group of articles which is comparable in scope and of such interest to the reader and student of the period.