American writer Amor Towles' third novel, the best-selling A gentleman in Moscow, generated a surprisingly lively discussion at my reading group last week, because beneath its engaging, accessible exterior are some puzzles. These puzzles relate primarily to Towles' intentions. What were they? Why did an American investment banker write an historical fiction novel about a Count in … Continue reading Amor Towles, A gentleman in Moscow (#BookReview)
Month: May 2019
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1965 in fiction
1965 as a topic? What the?! Those familiar with the lit-blogosphere will probably guess what inspired this post, but for everyone else, I'll explain. Over the last week of April, bloggers Kaggsy (Kaggsy's Book Ramblings) and Simon (Stuck in a Book) ran a 1965 Reading Week, the latest in their series of reading weeks focusing … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1965 in fiction
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 3)
And now my final event from the Sydney Writers Festival live-streamed (#SWFLiveAndLocal).program at th National Library of Australia. "I do not want to see this in print", Sunday 5 May, 4.30pm Panel: Annabel Crabb (convenor), with Samantha Maiden, Sharri Markson, Niki Savva Australian journalist Annabel Crabb, as cheeky as ever, introduced the session as being one … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 3)
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 2)
I returned to the National Library of Australia today for two more live-streamed events from the Sydney Writers Festival (#SWFLiveAndLocal). As I did last year, I'll write each event up in separate posts, so here is the first of my Sunday events. Andrew Sean Greer: Less (Conversation), Sunday 5 May, 3.00pm Conversation: Andrew Sean Greer with … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 2)
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 1)
As in 2018, selected Sydney Writers Festival events were live-streamed this year to 35 sites, including Canberra's National Library of Australia (#SWFLiveAndLocal). I had planned to attend most of Saturday's events, but then our annual day-trip to our friends' place in the country came up, and that's unmissable, so I only attended the last event … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 1)
Six degrees of separation, FROM The dry TO …
Well, my record for 2019's Six Degrees of Separation meme continues, that is, I still haven't read a starting book! By comparison, last year I'd read three of the first five (which may have been a record in the opposite direction!) However, I have always read the books in my chain. And now before I share … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM The dry TO …
Ten Year Blogiversary for Whispering Gums, with a Giveaway
Today, my blog turns 10! I can hardly believe it. I really didn't expect to be still writing it ten years on when I started way back there in May 2009, but it can become addictive, as many of you know yourselves! I must say that I started shyly. I was nervous about sharing my … Continue reading Ten Year Blogiversary for Whispering Gums, with a Giveaway
Whispering Gums 