Author(s): Vicki Viidikas

Australian Fiction

When first published in 1974, Wrappings by Vicki Viidikas was the most important shift in Australian women's fiction. Now back in print after 40 years, with a new introduction by Jane Grant, it is still powerful and provocative.

Wrappings plays across categories of fiction, poetry and polemic, often shifting form within a single piece: 'This is not even a story' the persona states mid argument with a male writer in 'The Incomplete Portrait'... Wrappings part manifesto and part expression of a new Australian realism... The stories in Wrappings are about stripping back the delusions, romance, lies, mythologies and cliches the personas and portraits hide behind. - Jane Grant

Maybe it's a bit simple of me to imagine that the girl-persona's experiences are those of, or based on those of Viidikas herself. But they're so extraordinarily convincing, real and familiar that they must be. The people, the situations and dialogue are so familiar that some of the stories might be letters you'd written yourself, or conversations you'd overheard in some restaurant. - Helen Garner, Digger

Her writing is ravishing on the senses, her stories peopled by real being... She is dazzling, she is suffering, she is joyous and agonising. - Jill Mullens, Cosmopolitan

Heat and sex and drugs - it sticks in the mind. - Helen Frizell, Sydney Morning Herald

Her writing is strong and honest and she needs no tricks or games. - Anne Summers, Adelaide Advertiser