Elizabeth Jolley's twelfth novel, The orchard thieves, is a little different from most of the other Jolleys I've read. It's a little less black, a little less about alienation, but it's unmistakably Jolley in style and preoccupations. By preoccupations, I mean her interest in family relationships and dynamics - and, related to that, her humane, … Continue reading Elizabeth Jolley, The orchard thieves (#BookReview)
Author: Whispering Gums
Kibble and Dobbie Literary Awards 2018 Shortlists announced
I don't regularly report on every Australian literary award - there are just too many - but as a supporter of Australian women writers, I've long been interested in the Nita B Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers (a mouthful, eh?) They comprise two awards: the Kibble ($30,000) for established writers, and the Dobbie ($5,000) … Continue reading Kibble and Dobbie Literary Awards 2018 Shortlists announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian ghostwriters
If you've read my blog recently, you'll know exactly what inspired this post. Yes, Richard Flanagan's novel First person (my review), which was inspired by his experience of ghostwriting Australian fraudster John Friedrich's memoir. The book was called Codename Iago. You probably all know what a ghostwriter is, but just to make sure, here's the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian ghostwriters
Six degrees of separation, FROM The tipping point TO …
June! Wah! It's winter here downunder and I'm miserable. Give me summer anytime. Just as well there are books to distract my mind ... and one great distraction is playing with the Six Degrees of Separation meme. It's currently hosted by Kate (booksaremyfavouriteandbest). Please click the link on her blog-name for her explanation of how … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM The tipping point TO …
Richard Flanagan, First person (#BookReview)
Richard Flanagan's latest novel First person, which I did with my reading group, is a challenge to read. By this I don't mean it's "hard" to read but that it requires careful attention to pin down. On the surface, its subject is straightforward. It's the story of struggling as-yet-unpublished writer, Kif Kehlmann, who accepts the job … Continue reading Richard Flanagan, First person (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reconciliation Day in Canberra
Today, 28 May 2018, we in Canberra celebrated our inaugural Reconciliation Day Public Holiday. We are the first jurisdiction in Australia to have such a public holiday*. From this year, this day will be held on the first Monday after 27 May or on the 27th if it is a Monday - the 27th being … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reconciliation Day in Canberra
Wendy Scarfe, The day they shot Edward (#BookReview)
There's something about novellas, about the way they can combine the tautness of the short story with the character development of a novel, and then hone in on an idea, undistracted by side-stories. This, in any case, is what Adelaide-writer Wendy Scarfe achieves in her book, The day they shot Edward. Like her previous novel, … Continue reading Wendy Scarfe, The day they shot Edward (#BookReview)
Miles Franklin Award 2018 Longlist
I didn't post the Miles Franklin Award Longlist last year, but I'm intrigued by this year's list so am sharing it with you - though I'm sure most Aussie readers will have seen it already. Here is the list: Peter Carey's The long way home (Penguin Random House) (on my TBR, but Lisa has reviewed) Felicity … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2018 Longlist
Monday musings on Australian literature: Blaming the Americans
Rummaging through my little folder of papers and ideas for Monday Musings posts, I found a 2014 article from The Conversation titled "The Americans are destroying the English language - or are they?" If you are a non-American English-speaker you probably know exactly what this is about, because we non-American English-speakers love to get on … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Blaming the Americans
World Bee Day 2018 – and literature
Apparently today, May 20, is World Bee Day! Who knew? Not me, until this morning. I understand it was designated last December by the United Nations, on the recommendation of Slovenia. Given the rise of cli-fi literature and the importance of bees to our planet, I've decided to give a little shout out to our … Continue reading World Bee Day 2018 – and literature
Whispering Gums 