The Australian Long Story - Mandy Sayer

The Australian Long Story
Mandy Sayer (editor)
Hamish Hamilton

Mandy Sayer describes a long story as one between 10-50000 words and long enough to have subplots but not long enough to be a standalone book. In this collection, Sayer has assembled the heavy weights of the Australian literate for a compellation that is eclectic in both storyline and execution of its plots.
Sayer has chosen seven Australian authors who have written long stories set in Australia. The collection begins with David Malouf, one of the elders in Australian authors and concludes with one of the new rising stars, Nam Le. Her aim in choosing this collection is to present the reader a sample of Australian literature; introduce and sample a voice they had not read; and to celebrate the emergence and growth of storytelling that is uniquely our own.
Aside from Le, Winton and Goldsworthy, I had not read any of the other authors. Lyrical and Surreal, Peter Carey’s ‘The Chance’ set in a futuristic world was probably the most surprising. Daunted by Carey’s literary supremacy, I had till now shied away from his work. His confidence and great assurance in his writing, for me at least, set him apart and certified his ascendancy. As for my favourite, if pressed to choose I would pick two: the whimsical and funny ‘Ten Anecdotes About Lord Howe Island’ by Louise Nowra and Peter Goldsworthy’s haunting yet lovingly told story of parents faced with the terminal illness of their child in ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam’.
If looking for a tightly constructed collection of Australian literature, then it would be hard pressed to go past The Australian Long Story.