Charles Brasch Journals 1945-1957

Charles Brasch Journals 1945-1957Discover the profound insights of Charles Brasch in his journals covering the transformative years from 1945 to 1957. This captivating hardback volume, published by Otago University Press, showcases the reflections of one of New Zealands literary giants. With 660 pages, you delve into Brasch's experiences as he returned to New Zealand post World War II, establishing a literary quarterly at Caxton Press. These journals chronicle the dawn of his

Discover the profound insights of Charles Brasch in his journals covering the transformative years from 1945 to 1957. This captivating hardback volume, published by Otago University Press, showcases the reflections of one of New Zealand’s literary giants. With 660 pages, you delve into Brasch's experiences as he returned to New Zealand post-World War II, establishing a literary quarterly at Caxton Press. These journals chronicle the dawn of his impactful editorship of 'Landfall', during which he interacted with renowned New Zealand artists and intellectuals such as Frank Sargeson, Janet Frame, and Colin McCahon.

Brasch’s candid entries provide readers with a rare glimpse into his life, exploring his relationships and longing for intimacy, as well as his deep connection to nature and poetry. Experience his evocative descriptions of iconic locations like the Milford and Routeburn tracks, showcasing his love for the New Zealand landscape. His journey culminates in a trip to Europe in 1957, reflecting on how New Zealand became his true 'centre & a world'.

Perfect for literature enthusiasts and historians, this beautifully bound journal collection not only preserves Brasch’s legacy but also serves as a treasure trove of New Zealand’s cultural history. Enjoy combined shipping from our Auckland-based, NZ-owned business, ensuring you receive this remarkable product without unexpected import charges or customs duties.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 170 x 245 mm
Pages: 660
Bind: hardback
Author: Charles Brasch Publisher: Otago University Press
Publication Date: 01-05-2017

This volume of Charles Brasch’s journals covers the years from late 1945 to the end of 1957, when the poet and editor was aged 36 to 48. It begins with his return to New Zealand after World War II to establish a literary quarterly to be published by the Caxton Press. The journals cover the first decade or so of his distinguished editorship of Landfall, a role that brought Brasch into contact with New Zealand’s leading artists and intelligentsia. His frank and often detailed descriptions of these people – including Frank Sargeson, A.R.D. Fairburn, Keith Sinclair, Eric McCormick, James Bertram, J.C. Beaglehole, Maria Dronke, Fred and Evelyn Page, Alistair Campbell, Bill Oliver, Toss and Edith Woollaston, Denis Glover, Allen Curnow, Leo Bensemann, Lawrence Baigent, Ngaio Marsh, Colin McCahon, James K. Baxter, Janet Frame, Ruth Dallas and many others – are among the highlights of the book. Unmarried and longing for intimacy, Brasch also writes with great candour about his relationships with Rose Archdall, Rodney Kennedy and Harry Scott, revealing a side of himself that has not been known about before. Central to Brasch’s life was the vocation of poetry. He writes movingly about his own work, and also about his love of nature and the outdoors, including lively descriptions of walking the Milford and Routeburn tracks. The book ends with his visit to Europe in 1957, which confirmed his sense that New Zealand had become for him ‘a centre & a world’. A lengthy introduction by Peter Simpson and other editorial apparatus guide the reader through this engrossing material.

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