The friendship plot - that theme I discussed in my post on Volume 1 of Emma - thickens in Volume 2. Several "new" friendships are presented, as Austen continues to deepen our understanding of what constitutes community via the little village of Highbury. For Jane Austen, I think we are going to realise, friendship is both … Continue reading Jane Austen, Emma Vol 2 (continuing thoughts)
Author: Whispering Gums
Ognjen Spahić, All of that (Review)
Regulars here know that I enjoy short stories, and that I review them regularly. Most of these reviews, though, are of Australian writers. I was therefore pleased when blogger roughghosts, in his review of a novel by Ognjen Spahić, provided a link to a Spahić short story titled "All of that". As I haven't reviewed many Balkan writers … Continue reading Ognjen Spahić, All of that (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Bernard Cronin, an Old Derelict!
It's a bit cheeky, really, to write about a writer I've never read, but I do this occasionally, particularly in Monday Musings because I use them to educate myself as well as to share ideas and knowledge with you. I came across Bernard Cronin (1884-1968) when I was roving around Trove earlier this year. He's … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Bernard Cronin, an Old Derelict!
Jessica White, Entitlement (Review)
Entitlement is a powerful title for Australian author Jessica White's second novel, but then White wanted to explore some powerful themes - though they are, unfortunately, somewhat belied by the rural romance/saga looking cover. The author bio at the front of the book tells us that White grew up on a property in northwest New South Wales … Continue reading Jessica White, Entitlement (Review)
Stella Prize 2015 Shortlist
I rarely write longlist, shortlist and winner posts, but for the Stella Prize I don't mind making an exception. Last month, I posted on the longlist, and yesterday, the shortlist was announced. Maxine Beneba Clarke's Foreign Soil (Hachette): short story collection that I really must read, a debut book Emily Bitto's The Strays (Affirm Press): another debut … Continue reading Stella Prize 2015 Shortlist
Lynette Washington (ed), Breaking beauty (Review)
As I've said before, I usually don't read book introductions until the end. In the case of Breaking beauty, an anthology of short stories edited by Lynette Washington, it wouldn't have mattered if I had read it first because Brian Castro's intro gave nothing away while at the same time saying a lot. He starts by noting … Continue reading Lynette Washington (ed), Breaking beauty (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels set in Canberra
The time will come, I'm sure, when I start repeating myself in my Monday Musings posts. This week's post comes perilously close. I've written before about Canberra's centenary publications (The invisible thread and the Meanjin Canberra issue), and I've written about Capital women and men poets, and women and men novelists*, but I haven't specifically written about … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels set in Canberra
Jane Austen, Emma Vol 1 (Review, or perhaps just thoughts)
Every now and then my local Jane Austen group does a slow read of one of Austen's novels. With 2015 being the 200th anniversary of the publication of Emma, we decided it was the logical choice for our next slow read. I love this activity because what happens when I re-read an Austen novel - particularly when I … Continue reading Jane Austen, Emma Vol 1 (Review, or perhaps just thoughts)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pitch days
When I was researching last Monday's post on development programs for writers, I came across several references to publisher "pitch" days. As someone who isn't writing a book, and who has no plans to, the concept of a "pitch" day was something that hadn't made a big impact on me, though of course I knew what … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pitch days
Delicious descriptions: Fiona McFarlane thinks a house can be a character
In another life, well, not quite another life, but in my pre-blog life when I discussed books online via listserv reading groups, I became involved in various literary discussions. One of these was whether a house or place can be a character. Some of us argued they could because they could be seen to act or react, to reflect … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Fiona McFarlane thinks a house can be a character
Whispering Gums 