My Brilliant Career & My Career Goes Bung

By Miles Franklin

"My Brilliant Career" tells the story of Sybylla, a headstrong young woman living in rural Australia in the late 19th century. She dreams of a life beyond the narrow expectations of her social class and gender, but struggles to reconcile her desire for independence with the pressure to marry and conform to traditional gender roles. The novel is noted for its vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape, as well as its frank depiction of Sybylla's rebellious spirit and the social constraints that limit her opportunities.

"My Career Goes Bung" picks up Sybylla's story several years after the events of the first novel. She has moved to the city and is working as a governess, but continues to struggle with the tension between her desire for independence and the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. The novel continues to explore themes of class, gender, and the limitations imposed on women in turn-of-the-century Australia, and is notable for its witty and irreverent tone.

Both novels are widely regarded as landmarks of Australian literature, and are celebrated for their feminist themes, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape, and their pioneering portrayal of a young woman's struggle for independence and self-determination. Miles Franklin herself was a pioneering figure in Australian literature and a passionate advocate for women's rights, and the Miles Franklin Literary Award, one of Australia's most prestigious literary prizes, is named in her honor.

Sydney Australia. Harper Collins. 1901 & 1946. 448p