This collection investigates the state and trajectory of Australian literary production during the mid-20th century. Oscar Adolf Mendelsohn, a noted Australian writer and musician, compiles a variety of perspectives to examine the cultural identity and technical standards of contemporary Australian authors. The work serves as a critical survey of the creative output emerging from the region, aiming to define the unique characteristics of the national voice.

Scholars and historians of Australian literature often cite this volume as a useful snapshot of the intellectual climate of its time. Readers frequently note the academic tone of the prose, which reflects the formal critical standards prevalent during the period of its publication.