My Tongue is My Own

'Gwen Harwood, that excellent poet and critic, deserves a sympathetic and lively biography. Ann-Marie Priest, to her credit, has just written that book.' -Ann Blainey, winner of 2009 National Biography Award 'Gwen Harwood's life story shows the familiar tension felt by a gifted poet who is also a dedicated wife and mother, but it is more complex than that division suggests. This self-styled 'Hobart housewife' was passionate in love and friendship, a trickster who waged war on literary editors, a shapeshifter with half a dozen identities as poet, a brilliant letter writer. Why and how Harwood used her formidable creative powers in unexpected ways is explored by Ann-Marie Priest in this fine biography.' -Brenda Niall, author of True North: The Story of Mary and Elizabeth Durack and the multi-award-winning Mannix '[My Tongue Is My Own is an] accessible recounting of Gwen Harwood's crowded and emotionally vertiginous life, strengthened by many quotes from her witty correspondence. It should return readers to what matters: her poetry.' -Gig Ryan 'Ann-Marie Priest's biography is an invaluable addition to the literature on this writer' -Susan Sheridan, Sydney Review of Books '... essential reading for anyone interested in Australian poetry and/or the situation endured by creative women before our allegedly more enlightened times.' -The Canberra Times '... for me she's always been the most evocative singer amongst Australian poets, a deeply humane literary artist whose work on the page has brought me to tears in the way only the best made music can.' -Gregory Day, The Australian 'Read this meticulous biography with Harwood's poetry in hand, and chase down every poem that Priest cites.' -The Sydney Morning Herald '... a compelling biography. Priest puts Harwood's voice - or rather, her many voices - at the heart of this volume.' -Stephanie Trigg, Australian Book Review