Postscript

 Postscript

Reviewed By  Nan van Dissel       May 31, 2026

 

Author  National Library of Australia

Distributor:      National Library of Australia
ISBN:                 978-1922507747
Publisher:         National Library of Australia
Release Date:   1 May 2026  

Website:    https://bookshop.nla.gov.au/p/postscript-life-love-and-loss-in-australian-letters 

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Life, Love and Loss in Australian Letters 

It’s a rare occasion when a letter appears in our letterbox; according to Australia Post only three percent of their business relates to letter mail, most of that is official mail. A personal letter or card is generally gratefully received as it lifts the receivers’ spirit; it indicates that someone has given them thought and dedicated time to put these thoughts on paper. Some express love while others update the reader about recent family events; all are individual but relatable.

Spanning over 200 years, the National Library of Australia holds millions of letters in its collection; until now many have never been seen. Publisher Lauren Smith and her NLA team have carefully selected the best letters; those that give the reader a sense of how much they have in common with the writer. Some are written by famous authors such as Jane Austin while others are by lesser-known individuals, such as John Wing whose suggestion about the departure of athletes at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic is still practiced today.

Each chapter provides the reader with the selected letter, the background of its writer and of the responder; Lauren Smith had invited contemporary Australian writers to compose new letters in response to the chosen ones; a postscript with a modern twist. This combination of original and new letter engages the readers and may even inspire them to drop a letter in the post to a loved one.

Hopefully, this collection will lead to the rediscovery of the lost art of letter writing.

Documentary, History, Literature, Non Fiction