When co-author and publisher Julian Davies sent me Backlash to review, he described it as "our latest and perhaps most ambitious book so far - non-fiction". Hmm, I thought, that's quite something from the publisher of some very interesting and, it seems to me, ambitious books. But now, having read Backlash, I understand what he … Continue reading Bidda Jones and Julian Davies, Backlash: Australia’s conflict of values over live exports
Author: Whispering Gums
Monday musings on Australian literature: Explorer’s journals (1, Edward John Eyre)
I have delved before into Australian explorer's journals when researching posts, but I must admit that I've never read one right through. However, I don't think that prevents my sharing some of the things they have to offer ... Project Gutenberg Australia (PGA), which I've described before, is a rich resource of a wide variety of copyright-free works, including, not surprisingly, Australiana. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Explorer’s journals (1, Edward John Eyre)
My literary week (1), in a sense
I say "in a sense" because my reading has been slow this week as Mr Gums and I have been getting back up to speed after our Lake Eyre trip. However, in terms of the literary world, much has been happening and I thought I'd share some with you, documenting it at the same time for … Continue reading My literary week (1), in a sense
Francis Keany, Follow the leaders: How to survive a modern-day election campaign (Review)
I had a little laugh when I picked up Francis Keany's book, Follow the leaders, about his experience as a journalist on the 2013 election campaign, because that very day our current leader Malcolm Turnbull formally announced the 2016 election. It's all a game of course because we already knew when it was to be - the budget … Continue reading Francis Keany, Follow the leaders: How to survive a modern-day election campaign (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
Last week I wrote my fifth "Let's get physical" post, and chose Adelaide because visiting there was bookending our trip last week to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. You'll understand, therefore, why I've chosen the subject I have for this week! Lake Eyre was named for explorer Edward John Eyre, the first European to see it in 1840, but in 2012 its official name … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
Edition de luxe: A collection of short stories
Last October, I wrote a Monday Musings post on writers-in-residence programs. The first one I listed, because I listed them alphabetically, was Accor Hotels MGallery Literary Collection. This is (or was?) a collaborative program with Melbourne’s The Wheeler Centre. Quoting what I wrote then, 'it involved providing eight award-winning Australian writers with a short residence … Continue reading Edition de luxe: A collection of short stories
Delicious descriptions: Chinua Achebe’s people and places
In my recent post on Chinua Achebe's classic, Things fall apart, I focused mostly on its themes and ideas, which drove the quotes I chose to share. Here I want to show more of his writing, including his wit and use of imagery. I'll start with this early description of the protagonist, Okonkwo, who is determined … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Chinua Achebe’s people and places
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Adelaide
This will be the fifth in my occasional "Let's get physical" series, and I've chosen Adelaide because this week I'm spending a few days in this city, the state capital of South Australia, bookending a trip to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Adelaide, which was proclaimed as a British colony in 1836, is located in the country of the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Adelaide
Jane Jose, Places women make (Review)
"Places", Jane Jose writes in her book Places women make, "can lift our spirits and be inclusive, and add surprise, excitement, wonder or some beauty to day-to-day life in the city." These sorts of places, which are essential to making our cities liveable, rarely just happen. They take planning, and who does this planning? Men. At … Continue reading Jane Jose, Places women make (Review)
The Griffyns are mummified
Those Griffyns, if you haven't realised it from my previous posts, are a brave and versatile bunch. Their latest outing, the Ear of the Cat, was inspired by musical director Michael Sollis' residency in Egypt last year. Performed last weekend, it was the ensemble's first real concert of the year and was included - a first for them I … Continue reading The Griffyns are mummified
Whispering Gums 