One of the great observers of Australian life, Henry Lawson looms large in our national psyche. Yet at his best Lawson transcends the very bush, the very outback, the very up-country, the very pub or selector's hut he conveys with such brevity and acuity: he make specific places universal. Henry Lawson is too often regarded as a legend rather than a writer to be enjoyed. In this selection Lawson is revealed as an author whose delightful, humorous, wry and moving short stories continue to delight generations of readers. This is the essential Lawson collection – the classic of Australian classics. 'Lawson's sketches are beyond praise.' Joseph Conrad 'Lawson gets more feelings, observation and atmosphere into a page than does Hemingway.' Edward Garnett

Insight Text Guides - Henry Lawson's Selected Short Stories is designed to help secondary English students understand and analyse the text. This comprehensive guide to Henry Lawson's Short Stories contains detailed character and chapter analysis and explores genre, structure, themes and language. Essay questions and sample answers help to prepare students for creating written responses to the text.

Named the "greatest Australian writer," Henry Lawson holds a central position in the so-called "Australian rural tradition". His work contributed to a perception of Australian identity that marked the 1890s, and that left traces in the way the Australians still see today themselves. The seven short stories selected here were chosen with care so that you enjoy the work of this important author: Bill, The Ventriloquial Rooster The Loaded Dog A Gentleman Sharper and Steelman Sharper A Child in the Dark, and a Foreign Father New Year's Night Water Them Geraniums The Selector's Daughter

Rogues, larrikins and the lost people - these timeless stories range from inspired, laconic comedies to pathos and tragedy. This selection showcases Lawson's range as a fiction writer and highlights his profound influence on how Australians see themselves. Here are delightful tales, thrilling tales, tales of love, of strife and of adventure, tales full of humour - stories of every mood, all alive with the magic of Lawson's genius, a genius which ranks with that of the world's greatest short-story writers. Includes The Drover's Wife, The Union Buries Its Dead and The Loaded Dog.

49 stories ranging over 120 years. Stories reflect life in Australia from the early days of hardship to the recognition of a multicultural society and the new agendas for women's, gay and lesbian, and Aboriginal writing.