Charmian Clift's Selected Essays

Charmian Clift, a writer ahead of her time, was known for her lyrical and fearless essays that seamlessly wove the personal and the political. In 1964, Clift and her husband George Johnston returned to Australia after living and writing for many years in the Greek island of Hydra's cosmopolitan community of artists. Upon their arrival in Sydney, Clift found that her opinions were far more progressive than those of many of her fellow Australians.

This new edition of Charmian Clift's essays, selected and introduced by her biographer Nadia Wheatley, is drawn from the weekly newspaper column that she wrote through the turbulent and transformative years of the 1960s. In these "sneaky little revolutions," as Clift once called them, she advocated for the rights of women and migrants, called for social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, opposed conscription and the war in Vietnam, acknowledged Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific, fought censorship, and called for the establishment of an Australian film industry, among other important causes.

Clift's essays set a new benchmark for the form of the essay in Australian literature, as she fearlessly tackled a wide range of social and political issues. Her writing was not only lyrical and personal, but also deeply engaged with the pressing concerns of her time. "I know it's a daring suggestion, but I'll make it anyway," Clift once stated, exemplifying her willingness to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable discourse.

Through her weekly column, Clift gave voice to the voiceless and challenged the dominant narratives of her era. Her essays were a powerful form of social and political commentary, serving as a catalyst for change and inspiring readers to re-examine their own beliefs and assumptions. Clift's legacy as a trailblazing writer and public intellectual continues to resonate with readers today, as her work remains a testament to the power of the written word to shape society and drive progress.

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