This lovingly assembled book selects 50 classic Australian works (both prose and poems), from Rolf Boldrewood's Robbery Under Arms (1889) to Peter Carey's Booker prize-winning True History of the Kelly Gang (2000). Individual essays provide introductions to each work and its author, combining the story of how the work came about (its inspiration, finding publication), a brief appreciation of it, a report on its reception in Australia and overseas, and a broad brushstroke history of the author and how the work fits into their wider literary career.

The essays are lively and engaging, including details such as Miles Franklin's letter to London specifying that she wanted her novel to be published as if written by 'a bald-headed seer of the sterner sex' - a letter that was only received after the book had been published, and Henry Lawson had identified her in the foreword. Interspersed throughout are lists of favourite books by leading Australians such as Helen Garner, Eliot Perlman and Les Murray. Australian Classics has reminded me of some old favourites to revisit - and whetted my appetite for some of those titles I've always thought I really should read, but haven't.

Jo Case is Editor of Readings Monthly