Abstract:
The essay 'The Historical Novel in Australia' was an intervention into a debate, initiated by novelist Malcolm Knox, that too many historical novels were being published in Australia, to the detriment of an engaged realism. My essay provided an overview of recent developments in the Australian historical novel, and theoretical concepts of writing history into fiction. It was selected, by competitive process, for the annual Australian showcase of best Australian essays for the year, by Peter Craven. It, and Knox's original essay, are often cited in academic papers on the historical novel in Australia
