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Stella Miles Franklin: A Biography
"This biography is an authoritative account of the novelist, journalist, nationalist, feminist and larrikin Stella Miles Franklin, author of My Brilliant Career and a great literary figure. This account follows her story from her beginnings in the Australian bush, through her publishing success and time spent working for the women's labour movement in Chicago, and details her time spent as a nurse in the Balkans during World War I."--Provided by publisher.
720 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 19, 2012
I’m not in the habit of writing fan letters, but I am very tempted to write to Jill Roe to thank her for writing this magnificent biography. Stella Miles Franklin, A Biography is not just an authoritative exploration of the life of one of my literary heroes, it’s also an intriguing read in its own right. It’s excellent because it is so well structured, because the author’s prose is a pleasure to read and because the scholarship shines through without being heavy-handed.
Roe has not only read Franklin’s oeuvre and her voluminous correspondence, she has also read the books that Franklin enjoyed and considered memorable; she has read the most obscure of reviews about Franklin’s work, and she has the knack of using an apt comment from her sources to amplify her own analysis of events.
To read the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2009/06/30/st...
Roe has not only read Franklin’s oeuvre and her voluminous correspondence, she has also read the books that Franklin enjoyed and considered memorable; she has read the most obscure of reviews about Franklin’s work, and she has the knack of using an apt comment from her sources to amplify her own analysis of events.
To read the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2009/06/30/st...
July 31, 2022
Very very very detailed but I was interested to learn about Miles Franklin's involvement in the emancipation and rights of women.
February 4, 2017
I didn't finish this book - in fact I only read about a quarter. I found it very repetitive (My Brilliant Career must have been mentioned a hundred times already) and lacking in facts. Too many suppositions and 'she may haves' for me.
July 28, 2024
Beyond the name of the Australian book prize, I knew nothing about Miles Franklin aside from her first book, which I hadn’t read, and indeed I thought the prize was named after more than one person! I picked up a free copy of the e book some years ago and it has been a long read since I started it, interrupted in part by reading My Brilliant Career, Franklin’s debut book, along the way – it made little sense to read the biography without reading one of her novels.
Despite a long-term passion for writing, it was involvement in politics that surprisingly (for me) was the practical focus for Franklin in her 20s and 30s. Moving to Chicago and later, London, she was a loyal servant of the suffrage movements there, the women’s vote coming much later overseas than in Australia. I was struck by her willingness to work long hours for minimal pay and a modest lifestyle. Passion for the cause and solidarity with her sisters goes some way to explain this but the austerity of the times in general, a frugal upbringing in rural Australia and WW1 meant that many had it tough.
After moving back to Australia, the direction moved back toward literature, on behalf of others in particular but also continuing to seek publication for her own novels and plays. For others, the mission was to promote Australian voices, and recognising the unique style of women and the outback as not needing the endorsement of a foreign, older establishment. It was a relief to read that she finally gained momentum for her own publications, albeit under a pseudonym for one series, although it still seemed to be a struggle.
Jill Roe has done a terrific job putting together such a comprehensive picture of Franklin’s life, which includes much of her political viewpoints amidst a time when feminism, communism, sexuality and indigenous affairs were very different to the modern-day conception of them. This is important, I think. As a dedicated ‘progressive’ in her day, her views would be judged harshly by modern progressives, begging the question on whether it is the form or substance which matters. Franklin’s legacy as the name on Australia’s premier book prize, is well deserved, and something she generously established from hard-won savings in her final years.
This is a long book and slow going in places, but a worthwhile tribute to Miles Franklin, an Australian who deserves to be known better and celebrated more.
Despite a long-term passion for writing, it was involvement in politics that surprisingly (for me) was the practical focus for Franklin in her 20s and 30s. Moving to Chicago and later, London, she was a loyal servant of the suffrage movements there, the women’s vote coming much later overseas than in Australia. I was struck by her willingness to work long hours for minimal pay and a modest lifestyle. Passion for the cause and solidarity with her sisters goes some way to explain this but the austerity of the times in general, a frugal upbringing in rural Australia and WW1 meant that many had it tough.
After moving back to Australia, the direction moved back toward literature, on behalf of others in particular but also continuing to seek publication for her own novels and plays. For others, the mission was to promote Australian voices, and recognising the unique style of women and the outback as not needing the endorsement of a foreign, older establishment. It was a relief to read that she finally gained momentum for her own publications, albeit under a pseudonym for one series, although it still seemed to be a struggle.
Jill Roe has done a terrific job putting together such a comprehensive picture of Franklin’s life, which includes much of her political viewpoints amidst a time when feminism, communism, sexuality and indigenous affairs were very different to the modern-day conception of them. This is important, I think. As a dedicated ‘progressive’ in her day, her views would be judged harshly by modern progressives, begging the question on whether it is the form or substance which matters. Franklin’s legacy as the name on Australia’s premier book prize, is well deserved, and something she generously established from hard-won savings in her final years.
This is a long book and slow going in places, but a worthwhile tribute to Miles Franklin, an Australian who deserves to be known better and celebrated more.
July 30, 2018
What a wonderful, brilliant and engaging woman, unfortunately born about 100 years too early. Her struggles are still relevant, even with all the options available to women today. In her time, when the choices were the burden of wife/motherhood or a derided spinster, a female with a career was not an easy path. She was absolutely determined not to lead the oppressed life of a wild or mother - good on her! Neither was Catherine Helen Spence, but their lives were very difference. At the end of her life Miles observed she had never achieved much, mostly due to low confidence. I find that easy to understand. The biggest barricade to her life was being a woman with a strong and independent character, when that was not celebrated by society. A sad tale but a great Australian legacy.
October 23, 2018
Jill Roe is an intelligent, serious historian dealing with a fascinating subject in Stella Miles Franklin. Yet she has taken this huge life and turned it into a turgid list similar to Knausgard....without the fascination.
Comparisons are by and large odious, but if one were to read Marr on White and then this there could be no competition.
I have a real desire to dive into Franklin but it needs to be in a manner that holds my attention not in this tepid shopping list of a life.
Comparisons are by and large odious, but if one were to read Marr on White and then this there could be no competition.
I have a real desire to dive into Franklin but it needs to be in a manner that holds my attention not in this tepid shopping list of a life.
August 5, 2021
This is a huge book that is very detailed. I enjoyed learning more about Miles Franklin
October 26, 2016
This biography was enormous and took several weeks for me to read. It was highly enlightening about this influential Australian author and a fascinating insight into the development of a uniquely Australian literature and many of the early proponents of the art. It was also a very interesting look into the role of suffragettes and the influence and power of intelligent women in England, America and Australia involved in this movement. Franklin had an extraordinary network of friends world-wide and although she worked tirelessly at her writing for her entire life she never quite achieved what she hoped within her lifetime. Her incredible legacy of the Miles Franklin literary award has managed to continue to support an ongoing and unique 'Australian' literary culture - possibly the most important goal of Franklin's life.
March 23, 2017
Wow, an amazing woman. Parallels of her fight can be drawn today. A biography beautifully written
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews