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Acknowledgments
This study of Murray Bail examines the ideas that underlie and inform his work. It would have been possible, of course, to focus on other aspects of his writing, such as his satire and humour or his affinities with modernist experimental fiction. These are undeniably important components of his work and are duly acknowledged. In interviews, however, Bail has repeatedly chosen to stress his affection for the novel of ideas and his affinities with this tradition, whether manifested in Europe or the Americas—and my study emphasises accordingly this dimension of his work.
My thinking and writing on Bail have received important impetus from the series editor, Susan Lever, who read and commented critically on this book in manuscript, and from the editors and specialist readers of the following journals, in which earlier versions of segments of this book appeared: Antipodes, JASAL, The Journal of Commonwealth and Postcolonial Studies, Southerly, Westerly, and Festschrift für Australienstudien. The errors, oversights, and blemishes that undoubtedly will be detected by subsequent readers are of course my sole responsibility.
Pam and John Macdermid provided me with a home away from home while I was conducting research interstate, and Tony Cousins offered much valuable advice and encouragement.