Do you like writing challenges? Last year I started a Monday Musings sub-series on Australia's state writers centres. So far I've written on four, and I should be getting on with it. However, I can't resist returning, today, to the Queensland Writers' Centre (previous post) to share a wonderful campaign they ran late last year. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: #8wordstory
Author: Whispering Gums
Six degrees of separation, FROM Memoirs of a geisha TO …
Last month I complained about the start of autumn because although I love autumn, I hate winter. This month, another nail went in the warm-weather coffin, with the ending of daylight savings. Oh dear ... The good news for me, though, is that I have actually read April's starting book for the Six Degrees of … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Memoirs of a geisha TO …
Claire G. Coleman, Terra nullius (#BookReview)
Claire G. Coleman's debut novel, Terra nullius, was my reading group's third book for this year. The first two - An unnecessary woman (my review) and The sympathizer (my review) were well liked - but not so Coleman's book. In fact that I was the only one who liked it. So, instead of my usual review, … Continue reading Claire G. Coleman, Terra nullius (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels retelling other literary works
Those who read my blog regularly will guess what inspired this post - Mirandi Riwoe's The fish girl (my review), which is her response to W. Somerset Maugham's short story "The four fat Dutchmen" (my review). It got me thinking about how many other Australian novelists have done this sort of thing ... However, when … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels retelling other literary works
Mirandi Riwoe, The fish girl (#BookReview)
Mirandi Riwoe was joint-winner of the 2017 Seizure Viva La Novella prize with her book, The fish girl - and it has now been shortlisted for this year's Stella Prize. As you may already know, it was inspired by Somerset Maugham's short story "The four Dutchmen", which I reviewed a few days ago. Indeed, Maugham's story … Continue reading Mirandi Riwoe, The fish girl (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian adventurers (1)
Hands up who likes to travel? And keep your hands up if you like to read travel writing! This post is especially for you. I've numbered it (1), because I'm drawing primarily from a book, which I think could warrant a few posts. The book I'm using is another of those that I retrieved from … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian adventurers (1)
W. Somerset Maugham, The four Dutchmen (#Review)
Finally, an excuse to mention W. Somerset Maugham here - and the excuse is, as Aussie literary fiction followers will probably know, that Mirandi Riwoe's Stella shortlisted novella, The fish girl, is a response to (was inspired by) Maugham's short story "The four Dutchmen". I don't usually feel I need to read the original work … Continue reading W. Somerset Maugham, The four Dutchmen (#Review)
Stephen Orr, Incredible floridas (#BookReview)
The good thing about reviewing Stephen Orr's latest book Incredible floridas is that you know the end at the beginning, so there's no need to worry about spoilers. The end, the one that you read at the beginning that is, is that Hal, the 22-year-old son of artist Roland and his wife Ena, commits suicide. … Continue reading Stephen Orr, Incredible floridas (#BookReview)
World Poetry Day 2018
Did you realise that today, March 21, is World Poetry Day? I'm not asking this to catch you out but more because I wonder how well promoted it is - particularly here in Australia? I must say that, as in previous years, I've heard very little about it. Perhaps, though, if I went to my … Continue reading World Poetry Day 2018
Monday musings on Australian literature: Mollie Skinner and DH Lawrence
I promised this post in yesterday's review of Mollie Skinner's short story, "The hand", but have since been reminded that Bill (The Australian Legend) has already written about Skinner's relationship with Lawrence. I've decided to continue with my plan, not only because it interests me, but because I hope to add to the discussion. So, I suggest that you … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Mollie Skinner and DH Lawrence
Whispering Gums 