Browsing digitised papers via National Library's Trove yet again, I came across an intriguing 1908 article by Page Twenty-Seven columnist Norman Lilley. I gather that Lilley had made some pronouncements on Australian literature which had garnered some strong opinions. I haven't searched hard for the original statements but we don't necessarily need them to enjoy Lilley's report of the ensuing … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Debating Australian literature in 1908
Author: Whispering Gums
Pulse: First 2014 (Review)
Now here's the thing. I'm a librarian by training, so I have certain expectations of how publications are titled, and Pulse, I must say, confused me. However, we librarians also know that publishers and writers don't care about our rules; they just do what appeals to them! Fair enough. They're the creators after all. Still, when I see … Continue reading Pulse: First 2014 (Review)
Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and punishment (Review, hmm)
Part way through my reading of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and punishment I wrote in my book - because, yes, I am a marginalia writer - "Who does Dostoevsky agree with?" It's a somewhat naive question, I know, because the author doesn't have to agree with anyone - and very often doesn't. You just have to look at Humbert … Continue reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and punishment (Review, hmm)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Nettie Palmer on “Our Own Writers”
Today, I'm going to return to writing about early twentieth century Australian literature. Last year I wrote several Monday Musings on the topic, including two (Part 1 and Part 2) based on an article written by Nettie Palmer in 1927. Today's post draws from an article Palmer wrote in 1935. It covers some similar ground, but from … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Nettie Palmer on “Our Own Writers”
Delicious descriptions: Julian Davies on reading
A couple of weeks ago I reviewed Julian Davies' Crow mellow. It's an enjoyable and at times provocative read. I'd love to share many descriptions and scenes from it but, since this is a reader's blog, I've decided to share some thoughts relevant to my focus made by the main character, poet Phil Day. Much … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Julian Davies on reading
Favourite quotes: from Thea Astley’s Coda
I've decided to start a new, occasional series - a bit like The Conversation does! I have two reasons for this. One is that I'm reading pretty slowly at the moment, partly because my current read is a big one, and partly because life is busy. The other is that during my current decluttering project I've come across … Continue reading Favourite quotes: from Thea Astley’s Coda
Monday musings on Australian literature: Story and Poetry Readings
I've written several posts in the past about festivals and awards - national and regional - but I haven't written about ongoing lower-key literary events, sometimes called Readings, sometimes Salons, so today I'm going to highlight this aspect of Australia's literary culture. I first planned this post a year ago when I read about the Whispers … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Story and Poetry Readings
Julie Twohig, Full circle (Review)
When I review individual stories, I tend to choose ones that are available on-line. Is that fair, I wonder? It means the author receives no payment for the story I review, but it does mean readers can enjoy a story that they may not otherwise easily access and, I suppose, that the author receives some exposure. … Continue reading Julie Twohig, Full circle (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Noted Works series
In early December I wrote a post about online journal The Conversation's occasional series they call The case for .... I promised that I would write my own case, and I will - soon. It's just that I feel like a - well - a reader in a library. So many great books to choose from. I … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Noted Works series
Julian Davies, Crow mellow (Review)
Julian Davies, author of Crow mellow and publisher at Finlay Lloyd, has written six novels, some of them short-listed for significant literary awards, but, embarrassingly, I only became properly aware of him through his inclusion in the two Canberra centenary volumes that I reviewed in 2013, The invisible thread and Meanjin's The Canberra Issue. It's the … Continue reading Julian Davies, Crow mellow (Review)
Whispering Gums 