The spring 2024 edition of Landfall reaffirms its place as Aotearoa New Zealand’s preeminent arts and literary journal, with editor Lynley Edmeades curating another thought-provoking collection of fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews. Landfall 248 is a compelling showcase of the richness and diversity of creative voices in New Zealand today, offering both an introspective look at the nation’s past and a critical lens on its present.
A particular highlight is the announcement of the joint winners of the 2024 Landfall Essay Competition: Franchesca Walker’s “Unsteady ground” and Hannah August’s “Response to a restructure”. These essays represent the thematic heart of the issue, exploring silenced histories and the erosion of intellectual spaces in Aotearoa. Walker’s essay is an intimate, intergenerational exploration of her whānau’s history, unearthing the enduring scars of colonisation while celebrating the resilience of her tīpuna. Through fragmented memories and apocryphal narratives, Walker creates a mosaic of humanity that is both personal and universal. Edmeades praises Walker’s ability to illuminate how ancestral fractures reverberate through contemporary lives, a testament to the enduring impact of suppressed cultures and histories.
In contrast, August’s essay critiques the neoliberal restructuring of universities, highlighting the undervaluing of humanities in an increasingly profit-driven educational landscape. Her poignant tribute to affected academics is both a call to preserve intellectual diversity and a reminder of the immeasurable value of knowledge for its own sake. August’s writing, described by Edmeades as “gentle and affective,” argues powerfully for the role of public intellectuals in navigating today’s turbulent times. Together, these essays exemplify Landfall’s commitment to intellectual rigor and emotional resonance.
Beyond the essays, the journal features the winning entries of the Caselberg International Poetry Prize, selected by Alan Roddick, and a suite of essays from a collaboration with RMIT University’s nonfictionLab. The trans-Tasman theme of “making space” feels particularly relevant, as these works explore the ways writing can carve out room for marginalized voices and perspectives. The art portfolios, a signature feature of Landfall, further enrich the journal, offering visual complements to the literary content.
Landfall 248 achieves a delicate balance between reflecting on the past and engaging with pressing contemporary issues. It demonstrates that literature and art are not just mirrors of society but active participants in shaping its trajectory. For those passionate about the intersections of creativity, culture, and critique, this issue is an essential read. Landfall continues to lead the way in amplifying the diverse voices that define Aotearoa’s artistic and literary landscape.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Otago University Press