I rather enjoyed playing Kate's #6Degrees "meme" last month so, while I don't expect to play every month, November's starting book, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never let me go, was far too tempting to let go! Once again, read on to see why ... I read Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian Never let me go before I started blogging, and have only reviewed one of his works since … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Never let me go TO The paper house
Author: Whispering Gums
Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers on the outback
After I posted my completion of the AWW Bingo Card yesterday a discussion ensued on Lisa's ANZLitLovers blog regarding her comment on the dearth of books written by women "set in the outback". That got me thinking ... and it seemed like a good topic to play with in a Monday Musings. There's a question to resolve … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers on the outback
AWW Bingo 2016 Challenge Completed
For a blogger of more than 7-years standing who doesn't take part in memes and challenges, I'm doing a good job this month. First it was 6 degrees of separation earlier this month, and now it's a bingo game. I have good reasons for these exceptions, but I don't expect you really want to know those, … Continue reading AWW Bingo 2016 Challenge Completed
Bruce Pascoe, Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? (Review)
Indigenous author Bruce Pascoe's Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? was my reading group's October book, and a very interesting read and discussion it turned out to be. It's not a simple book to discuss and really got us thinking, eliciting a variety of responses, though we all agreed with Pascoe's basic premise that we Australians need … Continue reading Bruce Pascoe, Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels about objects
This weekend I went to the National Museum of Australia's current visiting exhibition, A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum. The promo describes it thus: "Explore the history of humanity — how we have shaped the world, and how the world has shaped us — in this major exhibition. Witness compelling stories … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels about objects
Oliver Wendell Holmes, The deacon’s masterpiece: Or the wonderful “one-hoss-shay” (Review)
Oliver Wendell Holmes is one of those wonderful names that, once you hear it, you can't really forget it - at least, I can't. But, the thing is, I often hear wonderful names of people who've "done things" without actually knowing what they've done. Oliver Wendell Holmes is one of these, and so when he … Continue reading Oliver Wendell Holmes, The deacon’s masterpiece: Or the wonderful “one-hoss-shay” (Review)
Anna Spargo-Ryan, The paper house (Review)
I hadn't heard of Anna Spargo-Ryan's novel, The paper-house, when it was sent to me for review, which is not surprising given it's a debut novel. However, I loved the cover - designed by one of Australia's top book designers, Sandy Cull - and so was more than willing to give it a go. It traverses some … Continue reading Anna Spargo-Ryan, The paper house (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (Literary) Award
I was thrilled to hear on the radio this morning that Carmel Bird had won this year's Patrick White (Literary) Award. Bird is such a worthy winner for this award, but more on that anon. The Patrick White Award* is named, obviously, for one of Australia's most significant writers and only, to date, Nobel Laureate in Literature. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (Literary) Award
The Griffyns meet Red Note
Some Griffyn Ensemble concerts are intellectually challenging and some are educational, some are musically innovative and some are simply good fun, but some, like this week's Castles of Refuge, are just plain beautiful. Castles of Refuge was the third concert of this year's four-concert season and was presented in collaboration with Scottish new music group, … Continue reading The Griffyns meet Red Note
Willa Cather, The enchanted bluff (#Review)
I've reviewed a few Willa Cather stories on this blog now, as well as her gorgeous novel, My Antonia, but as I love her stories, I can't resist reviewing the latest to have been shared by the Library of America (LOA), albeit that was a couple of months ago now. The story is titled "The … Continue reading Willa Cather, The enchanted bluff (#Review)
Whispering Gums 