The Prose of Christopher Brennan Angus Robertson Ltd. Sydney, 1962

Component identifier:

Item 35

Content Summary:

First edition. Blue cloth. Tall 8vo

Inserted is autograph letter from Brennan to Brereton, 2pp, n.d. Written from Newport in 1911. Brennan's letter is of general literary interest. He makes some humorous comment upon the Lone Hand magazine, which he says he never reads: recalls his earlier association with Brereton in the "ghastly go-as-you-please of the Brookes-Souter affair of twelve years back" [Australian Magazine, 1899]; follows with some derogatory criticism of contributions by Hugh McCrae and Roderic Quinn to Lilley's Magazine, for which he predicts a doleful future; and concludes, "I must try and produce some nuggets for Lilley (taking his space limits into account) only prose nuggets look so pretentious and prose should be unpretentious. Thine, C.B."

Brennan's prediction was accurate. Lilley's Magazine appeared in June 1911 and expired after five numbers had been issued. Brennan contributed two poems. The Australian Magazine did little better than Lilley's for after six numbers appeared, it was discontinued. Both he and Brereton were largely responsible for its appearance. The criticism is hardly fair, for the production compared more than favourably with others of the time and purpose. It was very representative of contemporary writing and was well illustrated.

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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