You may notice that I sometimes identify a review as being for a book I've read with my reading group, but only once before in this blog have I dedicated a post to my reading group's schedule, so I thought it was time to do it again. It's particularly appropriate now because last night my group chose our first 6 books for next year. I … Continue reading What my bookgroup will be reading in the first half of 2017
Month: November 2016
Monday musings on Australian literature: Arnold Haskell on the Arts (1)
A couple of months ago I wrote a post on British dance critic Arnold Haskell's book, Waltzing Matilda: a background to Australia (published in Australia in 1944). I said then that I'd come back to it, so here I am, focusing this time on his chapter on "The Arts". It comprises 22 pages covering, according to … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Arnold Haskell on the Arts (1)
George Augustus Sala, The tyranny of pie (Review)
When I decide to write about a Library of America (LOA) Story of the Week it is usually because it's by a favourite author (like Willa Cather, Kate Chopin, or Edith Wharton), or by an author I want to read but haven't yet (like John Updike or Washington Irving) or on a topic that interests me … Continue reading George Augustus Sala, The tyranny of pie (Review)
The Griffyns … wah! wah! wah!
Last weekend was the last Griffyns concert of the year - and what a delight it was (except for the wah! moment). It was their 10th anniversary concert and they called it Griffyns Go Wilder. Knowing the Griffyns, as you do by now if you've been following my posts, you'll know that that could mean … Continue reading The Griffyns … wah! wah! wah!
Monday musings on Australian literature: 19th century travellers in Australia
I'm a bit of a sucker for 19th century travellers. The one who started it all was Flora Tristan with her Peregrinations of a pariah (1838). Yes, I know, she was a Frenchwoman travelling in South America, so she's not actually relevant here. And yet, before I get to travellers in Australia I must mention other works I've dipped into: Washington … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 19th century travellers in Australia
My literary week (5), or, those reading coincidences
Last time I wrote a My Literary Week post it was because I'd scarcely read that week, but had some literary moments to share. This time it's because I've been reading things which have generated some thoughts that I want to document, but not in long dedicated posts. (I'm feeling lazy). Most have been inspired by those reading … Continue reading My literary week (5), or, those reading coincidences
Christina Stead, Ocean of story, Pt 1: The early years – Australia (Review)
Contribution no. 2 for Lisa's Christina Stead Week from Ocean of story: the uncollected stories of Christina Stead. My first post was on the titular story, "Ocean of story", which is also used as the collection's Introduction. After this Introduction, the stories have been organised into 7 sections by editor RG Geering. These sections are presented chronologically, … Continue reading Christina Stead, Ocean of story, Pt 1: The early years – Australia (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1902 in Australian literature
Why, you may be asking, have I chosen 1902 for this post? After all, it's not a nice round number of years ago, like 100. I could tease you with hints, but I want to get onto the post proper, so I'll just tell you: it was the year Christina Stead was born. And, as … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1902 in Australian literature
Christina Stead, Introduction: Ocean of story (Review, possibly)
I am so glad Lisa (ANZLitLovers) has given me an excuse, her Christina Stead Week, to finally pick up Ocean of story: The uncollected stories of Christina Stead. I bought this book, in 1991, from a sale table for all of 98 (Australian) cents! What a bargain. I then popped it on my Australian literature TBR shelves, … Continue reading Christina Stead, Introduction: Ocean of story (Review, possibly)
Susan Varga, Heddy and me (Review)
Susan Varga's biography-cum-memoir, Heddy and me, was first published back in 1994, so why am I reading it now? By a rather circuitous route, as it happens. Lesley Lebkowicz, whose The Petrov poems I've reviewed, read my post on Anna Rosner Blay's Sister, sister, and suggested to Susan Varga that she might like to send me her book to … Continue reading Susan Varga, Heddy and me (Review)
Whispering Gums 