My Social Media Pic
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 I couldn’t say all that I’d love to have said. Of course, if you’re not an Aussie, please comment too!
If you’d like to read the other View from Here posts, check out this list. You might be surprised by what you find. I’ve certainly enjoyed them.
Whispering Gums 
Hi: WG. I’ve responded to the brilliant post you did for Karen. Adding a few other names – just to keep the interest levels up! My wife and I are currently in NYC. Next Monday we’ll attend a Greenlight Bookstore event here in Brooklyn – Charles M BLOW op.ed/ NY Times writer to speak on his just published memoir: Fire Shut Up in My Bones (which I have finished reading). Now reading Roxanne DUNBAR-ORTIZ: An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States 2014 (a more than worthy successor/companion to Prof. Howard ZINN’s A People’s History of the United States) – and then already-dipped-into but yet-to-be-read Dana GOLDSTEIN’s The Teacher Wars (A History of America’s Most Embattled Profession). Both the latter books could so easily have been written about Australia – more than scary! Still planning to be in Canberra latter end of November! Any ideas for Library talks around that time?
Thanks Jim for commenting on Karen’s post. Will go have a look. Those books you are reading sound great. I have a friend who’s a teacher in the USA. They had forced unpaid leave days over the last few years to save the budget! California. As you say, embattled at even the most basic level. Will think about talks … And perhaps when we’re closer we could arrange meeting at the library for a cuppa, if we’re both free.
Couldn’t be bothered reading it. [grin] NOT !!!!!
Oh you tease MR!
Great oist Sue. As you said you couldn’t metion all our good authors and very happy you wrote about Thea Astley. The only other author I can think of that could have been mentioned is.Christos Tsiolkas. He is very confronting about the Australian way of life.
Thanks Meg — I’m glad you agree re Astley. However, I did mention Tsiolkas, but it’s buried in the discussion of “a stranger in a strange land”. Funny you should say this though because I nearly didn’t, and suddenly thought, “I must include Tsiolkas”. The one I’m very sorry about not including is Elizabeth Jolley – but I had to stop somewhere and she just didn’t quite fit the ideas I was covering.
It was such a pleasure to have you as a guest Sue – and you can see from the responses that people enjoyed your reflections. I think they’ve also enjoyed teasing me to interview myself about books from my native country – Wales – which I shall have to think deeply about. It’s definitely a 4 pipe problem Watson!
Now if any of you know of a blogger from New Zealand who would like to be featured, please let me know.
Thankyou Karen — and do think about the Wales thing! I was thinking about New Zealand in fact, but the only New Zealand reader I know, met through online book groups, is not a blogger and I’m not sure even that she tweets. I mainly keep in touch with her these days via Facebook. I’ll keep thinking but at present my mind is blank.
And, thanks for inviting me. You asked great questions that were interesting to think about and made me take the time to get some of my own thoughts in order.
Sorry Sue, should have realised you would have mentioned Tsiolkas. I
I’m glad I’m not the only one who occasionally misses something, Meg! No apology needed – you’ve made my day!
What a fascinating overview of the history of Australian fiction. I am afraid that a lot of the names are new to me. I must take a look at Patrick White – one of those authors lurking long in the TBR pile.
That’s great Ian. I reckon that even if you don’t get chance to read them, I’m glad to have been able to share some of the breadth of Australia’s literature. If you are going to read anyone, Patrick White should be it I reckon. I’d love to know what book (or books) you have by him.
I PROBABLY have Voss somewhere (!) and have to hand a battered copy of The Tree Of Man and think I may have A Fringe Of Leaves.
Then you’re well set up — I’ve read the first two, but not Fringe of leaves. Go for Voss (as I’ve already said).