Review of *The ALS Guide to Australian Writers: A Bibliography 1963-1990*, edited by Martin Duwell and Laurie Hergenhan, and *A Bibliography of Australian Multicultural Writers*, compiled by Sneja Gunew and others

Abstract

Somewhat slowly, the academic world has become more aware of the diversity of literatures in English. Courses and readings have been extended, yet the full richness of those literatures has not been appreciated. In a United States which is grappling with the meaning of multiculturalism and diversity, it has not been generally recognised that world literature in English offers ready access through a common language to increasingly diverse cultures. The study of those literatures, and of their use of language - since in some way they all reuse English - can buttress international understanding and offer new perspectives on the world. Australian literature is a fine example. Even while Australian Studies programs have been slow in developing (Robert Ross uses the phrase 'No Bush fires Yet'), there is a growing interest in collecting and studying literature from Australia.