A personal highlight is Margaret Simons’s essay on reading in the electronic age. Simons rightly argues that young people who use social networking sites such as Facebook are ‘writ[ing] their own narratives, with no time or distance between author and audience’. Simons admirably refuses to perpetuate a hierarchy between print texts and online reading material. That said, I agree with editor Jeff Sparrow that this journal would not benefit from any of ‘the digital formats so far available in Australia’.

Also impressive was Lizzie O’Shea’s moving reflection on her experience working with American prisoners on death row. This career move stemmed from O’Shea’s opposition to the death penalty and her ‘interest in working for people who do not normally have access to legal representation’. O’Shea never passes judgement on her clients, most of whom had backgrounds characterised by poverty and violence. Nor does she downplay the difficulty of working with these clients.

The journal has its shortcomings. For example, McCallum’s argument (while commendable) has been made many times before. Overall, though, Overland 198 provides a rousing call for the Australian left not to become complacent. The journal also showcases the talent available on the local writing scene.