Today's post was inspired by a tweet, yesterday, from the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB). Using the hashtag #OTD (On This Day), they promoted their entry on Grace Gibson who was born on 17 June (in 1905.) Not only was that tweet a blast from my working-life past, but it also introduced an aspect of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Grace Gibson
Author: Whispering Gums
Miles Franklin Award 2018 Shortlist
Having posted this year's Miles Franklin Award Longlist I decided I may as well keep on with it! After all, it is, probably, Australia's most watched award. The shortlist was announced in Canberra tonight - not that I was invited! Here is the list: Felicity Castagna's No more boats (Giramondo) (Lisa has reviewed) Michelle de … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2018 Shortlist
My literary week (11), in the theatre
I thought I'd join the world of fake news - why not? - and make my post title a lie, a double lie in fact. It's not really "literary" (though it has its moments) and it's not about a week (spanning, in fact, May 24 to June 13). However, the lies end here, as this … Continue reading My literary week (11), in the theatre
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian literature in Australian schools
As I was trawling my little collection of ideas for Monday Musings, I lit upon a paper by the late educator Annette Patterson titled "Australian literature: culture, identity and English teaching". Bingo! I had my answer, because it will contribute to a discussion I took part in on Guy Savage's His futile preoccuptions blog. The … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian literature in Australian schools
Elizabeth Jolley, Poppy seed and sesame rings (#Review)
In her introduction to Learning to dance: Elizabeth Jolley, her life and work, a book that was intended to comprise only non-fiction to create a sort of autobiography, literary agent Carolyn Lurie wrote that Jolley would sometimes "draw so directly on her life" for her stories "that it seemed illuminating to include a small selection of … Continue reading Elizabeth Jolley, Poppy seed and sesame rings (#Review)
Elizabeth Jolley, The orchard thieves (#BookReview)
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)
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)
Whispering Gums 