Author: Whispering Gums

Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)

/ Whispering Gums / 14 Comments

There's something about Elizabeth Harrower. I've just read her Stella Prize shortlisted short story collection A few days in the country, and other stories - and wow! Really, just wow! If you're a regular reader here, you've probably noticed that I'm not one to effuse excessively about books, anymore than I'm one to pan them. I'm … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)

Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Reading Bingo Challenge

/ Whispering Gums / 8 Comments

I did have another post planned for today, but it can wait - indeed, it might be better written if it waited - because I'd like to tell you about a special sub-challenge in this year's Australian Women Writers (AWW) Challenge. A Reading Bingo. If, like me, you are not really up on blogger challenge culture, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Reading Bingo Challenge

Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the first decade (1958-1967)

/ Whispering Gums / 21 Comments

This month we expect to see the announcement of the Miles Franklin Award longlist. While it's no longer Australia's richest literary prize, it is still the best-known and, if you can measure such things, our most prestigious. It is managed by a Trustee using the estate left for that purpose by author Miles Franklin. It was first awarded … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the first decade (1958-1967)

Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s Circles

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In my recent review of Elizabeth Harrower's In certain circles, I focused on the book's form and overall themes, and warned that I'd produce a Delicious Descriptions to share some of her writing. So, here it is, organised by headings to keep it simple ... Gender I didn't focus on gender in my review, but this is Harrower, and it is one … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s Circles

Elizabeth Harrower, In certain circles (Review)

/ Whispering Gums / 30 Comments

There's an interesting story behind Elizabeth Harrower's last novel, In certain circles. It was all set for publication in 1971, following her very successful The watch tower (my review), when Harrower pulled it. Why? I wondered about this as I read it, and I have some ideas, but more on that anon. First, the story. … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, In certain circles (Review)

Debra Adelaide, The women’s pages (Review)

/ Whispering Gums / 15 Comments

When I started reading Debra Adelaide's latest novel The women's pages I thought, "Oh yes, here's another interesting story about women's lives, how their options are limited, etc etc. I'll enjoy this but I wonder why it was longlisted for the Stella?" And then, a few chapters in, I started to realise that behind this "interesting … Continue reading Debra Adelaide, The women’s pages (Review)