Melbourne-based author Jenny Ackland has tried something rather audacious in her debut novel, The Secret Son. Instead of following the autobiographical route that many first novelists do, she has leapt right in and tackled, albeit from left field, one of Australia's most controversial legends, Ned Kelly. But, here's the rub: it's not exactly about Ned … Continue reading Jenny Ackland, The secret son (#BookReview)
Author: Whispering Gums
Carson McCullers, Home for Christmas (#Review)
As you will guess from the title of this Library of America (LOA) Story of the Week, I meant to post on it closer to Christmas Day than I have in fact achieved. I chose it for two reasons - firstly the obvious seasonal one, and secondly because my first Carson McCullers post was an unusual piece and … Continue reading Carson McCullers, Home for Christmas (#Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2018
This, you may be pleased to know, is the last of my set of end-of-year-beginning-of-year posts. And, as is obvious from the post title, it's about books that will be published this year. As in previous years, I'll just be sharing a selection of those that interest me (though listing them doesn't mean that I … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some New Releases in 2018
Six degrees of separation, FROM The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency TO …
It's a new year and I've committed, for the moment at least, to continuing with the Six Degrees meme which is currently hosted by Kate (booksaremyfavouriteandbest). For details about the meme, please click the link on Kate's blog-name. Meanwhile, on with the challenge. This month we start with a book that I have, in fact, read, … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency TO …
Bruce Beresford, The best film I never made (#BookReview)
Bruce Beresford, author of The best film I never made, is of special interest to me for a couple of reasons, besides the fact that I've enjoyed many of his films over the years. One is that after a few years of taking (or, perhaps, "dragging" is more accurate) our then young son to various classic … Continue reading Bruce Beresford, The best film I never made (#BookReview)
Blogging highlights for 2017
Now for the last of my year-end trifecta (the others being my Australian Women Writers' Challenge wrap-up and Reading highlights posts). I don't know how much this one interests others, but I like to document trends on my blog for my own record. I won't be offended if you don't read this, as if I'd know! Top posts … Continue reading Blogging highlights for 2017
Reading highlights for 2017
I do hope I don't disappoint my Monday Musings fans too much, but as this Monday also happens to be January 1, I'd like to use it to share my reading highlights for the year. Rest assured - if you care - that Monday Musings will be back. (Indeed, next week's is already in the … Continue reading Reading highlights for 2017
Joy Eadie, Discovering Charles Meere: Art and allusion (#BookReview)
The award for my last review of the year goes to something a little left field for me, Joy Eadie's Discovering Charles Meere: Art and allusion. I say left field because it is, essentially, a book of art criticism, and I don't do much of that here (or anywhere, for that matter!) However, when Halstead … Continue reading Joy Eadie, Discovering Charles Meere: Art and allusion (#BookReview)
Bernadette Brennan, A writing life: Helen Garner and her work (#BookReview)
Enough of the filler posts for a while! It's time for a review, and it's a special one because it's for a book about one of my favourite writers, Helen Garner. The book is Bernadette Brennan's A writing life: Helen Garner and her work. Described as a "literary portrait" rather than as a biography, it … Continue reading Bernadette Brennan, A writing life: Helen Garner and her work (#BookReview)
Books given and received for Christmas, in 2017
In what is becoming a Boxing Day tradition - I have many traditions it seems at the end of the year - I am doing, again, a post on the books I gave and received this Christmas. For Ma Gums, who has worked as a lexicographer, another word-oriented book (giving her such books is becoming another tradition!): … Continue reading Books given and received for Christmas, in 2017
Whispering Gums 