Reviews of books using current and historic sources, online and in print.
Australian authors' works are reviewed in international journals and newspapers, if they are well-known overseas, so it is worth searching international resources for these reviews or articles. There are also specific resources for Australian literature.
The Internet has a lot of information about authors and books, but be aware that the quality of free websites varies. It may take a bit of searching to find useful information. The most accurate, indepth and extensive book reviews is usually found in resources available through libraries, which pay for these resources.
Author's personal sites often include reviews. To locate them do a search under an author's name. The web address of the author's site will usually include their name.
Amazon also includes many reviews and the full text of many works which are out of copyright. This is an ever-changing area, so it is worth seeing what you can find free online.
The Library subscribes to a range of online journal and newspaper databases. These are a good source of recent book reviews. Try the After 1990 tab above for further suggestions for online sources. Many of these items will be available outside the Library to registered Victorian users.
This database is a collaboration between Australian Universities and the National Library of Australia.
Article databases via our catalogue
The above databases allow you to search a wide range of journals. Some journals are available in both print form and online. When you search for a particular journal on the Library catalogue, the online version will have a term such as 'online', 'view online' or 'electronic resource' in the record.
Most online journals have full article records dating back no earlier than the 1980s or 1990s. Earlier issues are in print. The catalogue or database record tells you when the online version started, and whether it has citations or full text articles.
Several key journals containing reviews and criticism of Australian literature are available online through our Library catalogue.
Newspapers usually include literary pages and book reviews. Often these appear in weekend editions of newspapers.
Historic Australian newspapers
There are a number of print sources that will help locate reviews for Australian books. Those listed below may assist in finding reviews of more obscure Australian publications.
For information on children's and young adult books, see our separate Children's literature guide.
Check the catalogue for books on Australian literature or authors.
You can search using keywords to locate specific items. For example - peter carey criticism
Alternately you can search under the subject option; for example - Richardson, Henry Handel.
On the left of the screen you will see a list of related subjects for that author.
The following subject keyword search will list subject headings relating to critical works on Australian literature.
These websites list the winners of literary awards and provide information on literary events.
Victorian Premier's Literary Awards
Prime Minister's Literary Awards