Culture and Customs of Australia

The first general introduction to the Australian continent, written by an Australian novelist with particular insight Many people have a superficial familiarity with the Australian continent. Particular images stand out: the Outback, sheep shearing, surfing, the Sydney Opera House, Aborigines and the Walkabout. Now students and other interested readers have a solid resource that describes the breadth of the evolving modern Australian society. Clancy’s focus is on the Anglo-Irish and more recent immigrants, but the Aboriginal context is given as well. Readers will learn about the Australian identity, with its male mythology of the Bush . Mateship is the core element of a myth of independent, self-sufficient, freedom-loving citizens in a harsh land. This myth is set against multiculturalism and feminism. Other highlights include discussion of the weak hold that Christianity has over the population; the drastic urbanization of the last century and the suburban dream; adventure and the beach culture, with tourism; the importance of sports; the changing roles of men; the evolving cuisine, from the national barbeque to European and Asian influences; strong and long literary, artistic, and performing arts traditions; film industry talent; and the power of media in a sparsely populated country. First in-depth book of this kind on Australia Written by an Australian novelist