If you are an Australian, particularly one of a certain age, chances are you studied some C.J. Dennis at school, most likely "The play" from his best-known book The songs of a sentimental bloke. I did, and then, not having read him for decades, I reviewed for this blog his second major book, The moods of … Continue reading Philip Butterss, An unsentimental bloke: The life and work of C. J. Dennis (Review)
Month: October 2014
Not the Usual Monday Musings
Just for a change - and because I couldn't resist it - I'm sharing an ad from ABE Books for a first edition 3-volume set of Jane Austen's Sense and sensibility, which was first published in 1811. In case you are interested, the inventory number for the book is #ABE-11685473745. I'm going to quote the … Continue reading Not the Usual Monday Musings
On the literary road … in Melbourne and thereabouts
Once again we are visiting our first-born in Melbourne and taking the opportunity to visit places we haven't yet explored in this city and state. I've managed on this trip to tick off a few more "bucket list" items. Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. I first learnt of this cottage in my childhood when my … Continue reading On the literary road … in Melbourne and thereabouts
Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary awards back then
A comment by blog-reader Ian Darling on a recent Monday Musings post that he supposed literary prizes existed back in 1927, followed by the tardy announcement a couple of days ago of the shortlist for this year's Prime Minister's Literary Awards (see Lisa ANZLitLovers' post), got me thinking about the history of literary awards. I've long … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary awards back then
Jane Austen, Lady Susan (Review)
It is a truth universally acknowledged - I know this is a tired old joke but I seem programmed to do it - that Jane Austen fans will collect multiple editions of her works. There are many reasons for this behaviour, but one of them is our interest in different introductions. And so, although I … Continue reading Jane Austen, Lady Susan (Review)
Richard Flanagan, the Booker Prize, and Books
Lisa at ANZLitlovers has posted on Richard Flanagan's (exciting-to-us) Booker Prize win for The narrow road to the deep north, and has provided links to reviews by several bloggers. So, I thought I'd do something different. In my review and follow-up post, I discussed the role of poetry in the novel. Reviewer (and novelist) Romy Ash suggests … Continue reading Richard Flanagan, the Booker Prize, and Books
Monday musings of Australian literature: The duty of readers and critics
Hmmm, my post title for this week's Monday Musings sounds rather provocative, but I'm going to keep this post pretty light. It's been a busy few days so I'm just going to share an interesting little article I read a few weeks ago while I was reading about Australasian Authors Week in 1927. It's from the Evening … Continue reading Monday musings of Australian literature: The duty of readers and critics
Annabel Smith, The Ark (Review)
I must start by thanking Western Australian short story writer Glen Hunting* for recommending Annabel Smith's The Ark in his comment on a recent Monday Musings post. Hunting wrote that it "is self-published and available as a print book, e-book, app, and has its own interactive website". I was intrigued so checked it out. My initial reaction … Continue reading Annabel Smith, The Ark (Review)
Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
In my review of Richard Flanagan's The narrow road to the deep north I talked a little about the importance of poetry to some of the main characters. I can't resist sharing just a little more on this topic. This is Dorrigo thinking, at the end of his life, though he doesn't know just how … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
My View from Here is over at BookerTalk
Karen who writes the BookerTalk blog asked me to write about reading and writing here in Australia for her inspired View from Here series. If you'd like to read what I wrote, check out my post on her blog. If you're an Aussie, I'm sure Karen would love you to add your own perspectives in the comments, because … Continue reading My View from Here is over at BookerTalk
Whispering Gums 