Back in late 2011, I wrote a Monday Musings post on 19th century Australian Gothic. I've always intended to post more on the topic, including one on Tasmanian Gothic. Well, here's a start, because Sarah Kanake's debut novel, Sing fox to me, is a good example of modern Tasmanian Gothic. I wrote in my first post that … Continue reading Sarah Kanake, Sing fox to me (Review)
Author: Whispering Gums
Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Just a short post for those of you who read my Stella Prize longlist and shortlist posts and haven't heard the news - which would primarily be you readers from lands other than mine! The winner was not a surprise, as you may know if you read my response to BookerTalk's question on my shortlist post. It's … Continue reading Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
OK folks, today I'm begging your indulgence to let me stray from the "proper" theme of my Monday Musings series. In other words, I'm not going to talk - except for a minor digression - about Australian literature. But, I am going to talk about Australians talking about literature. Bemused? I'll explain. This last weekend in Canberra … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
Ward Farnsworth, rhetoric and the modern politician
One of my favourite go-to bloggers, Stefanie (So Many Books), recently posted about a book by Ward Farnsworth titled Classic English rhetoric. (Her post, though, was titled for his second book, Classical English metaphor.) I was intrigued, particularly when she described the letter from the author himself that accompanied this second book. Stefanie writes: Also in the package … Continue reading Ward Farnsworth, rhetoric and the modern politician
Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
In my recent review of Elizabeth Harrower's short story collection, A few days in the country, and other stories, I included a few excerpts from the stories, but they primarily were chosen to reflect the themes and content. In this post, I want to focus on her use of language, through just a small number of … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)
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
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
Tegan Bennett Daylight, Six bedrooms (Review)
I have just read Tegan Bennett Daylight's collection of short stories, Six bedrooms, in my quest to read at least some of the Stella Prize shortlist before the announcement of the winner on the 19th of this month. I haven't read Daylight before - she has written three novels, among other things - so I was glad … Continue reading Tegan Bennett Daylight, Six bedrooms (Review)
Miles Franklin Award 2016 Longlist
I don't always post the Miles Franklin Award Longlist, but having posted on the award in this week's Monday Musings, I feel I'm on a roll! The longlist was announced the day after my post, so I thought I'd give it a couple of days before I bombarded you again! Here is the list: Tony … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2016 Longlist
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the first decade (1958-1967)
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)
