A quirky, eclectic, enjoyable, collection.
Feature image credit: Wakefield Press
French influence in Australia may not bring much immediately to mind. Wine maybe? Some aspects of food? A couple of Europeanised place names?
Editor John West-Sooby seeks to redress this lacuna in a quirky collection of essays appositely entitled What Have the French Ever Done For Us?
West-Sooby’s role as Emeritus Professor of French Studies at the University of Adelaide puts him in the driver’s seat to gather writing from experts and academics of myriad fields of interest. Here be works on language, diplomacy, literature, European exploration, cinema, and yes … food and wine. Each essay includes a brief introduction by West-Sooby himself, which helps to pull the book together, although it remains an eclectic collection.
Roland Sussex’s essay on French and English is perhaps one of the most interesting, delving into the significant French influence (often mistaken for a direct line from Latin) on our spelling, syntax, and other aspects of language. Christopher Allen tells of Australian artists travelling to France when it was considered the last word in high art. Véronique Duché searches through Australian libraries for hidden French treasures. And the wonderful Catherine Kerry looks at the very French pleasure of eating.
Being a collection, some essays are obviously better than others. Emily Kirkpatrick’s piece on music is far too technical and academic for a more general work such as this. It also doesn’t really seem to fit with the theme of influence in/on Australia. Some of the essays read as though Australian history is solely white. West-Sooby could have perhaps cracked the editing whip a little harder to get rid of some of this thematic clunkiness.
Overall, though, this is a fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening, collection of loosely connected works by experts in their fields. It is easy enough to skip over sections of little interest, or of impenetrable academia, and to dip in to the delights as desired. This is a work that will please the reader interested in history, linguistics, food, wine, the arts, or politics. It is certainly a great addition to any library on Australiana.
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Wakefield Press
Released: April 2024
RRP: $39.95
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