Once again we are visiting our first-born in Melbourne and taking the opportunity to visit places we haven't yet explored in this city and state. I've managed on this trip to tick off a few more "bucket list" items. Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. I first learnt of this cottage in my childhood when my … Continue reading On the literary road … in Melbourne and thereabouts
Author: Whispering Gums
Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary awards back then
A comment by blog-reader Ian Darling on a recent Monday Musings post that he supposed literary prizes existed back in 1927, followed by the tardy announcement a couple of days ago of the shortlist for this year's Prime Minister's Literary Awards (see Lisa ANZLitLovers' post), got me thinking about the history of literary awards. I've long … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary awards back then
Jane Austen, Lady Susan (Review)
It is a truth universally acknowledged - I know this is a tired old joke but I seem programmed to do it - that Jane Austen fans will collect multiple editions of her works. There are many reasons for this behaviour, but one of them is our interest in different introductions. And so, although I … Continue reading Jane Austen, Lady Susan (Review)
Richard Flanagan, the Booker Prize, and Books
Lisa at ANZLitlovers has posted on Richard Flanagan's (exciting-to-us) Booker Prize win for The narrow road to the deep north, and has provided links to reviews by several bloggers. So, I thought I'd do something different. In my review and follow-up post, I discussed the role of poetry in the novel. Reviewer (and novelist) Romy Ash suggests … Continue reading Richard Flanagan, the Booker Prize, and Books
Monday musings of Australian literature: The duty of readers and critics
Hmmm, my post title for this week's Monday Musings sounds rather provocative, but I'm going to keep this post pretty light. It's been a busy few days so I'm just going to share an interesting little article I read a few weeks ago while I was reading about Australasian Authors Week in 1927. It's from the Evening … Continue reading Monday musings of Australian literature: The duty of readers and critics
Annabel Smith, The Ark (Review)
I must start by thanking Western Australian short story writer Glen Hunting* for recommending Annabel Smith's The Ark in his comment on a recent Monday Musings post. Hunting wrote that it "is self-published and available as a print book, e-book, app, and has its own interactive website". I was intrigued so checked it out. My initial reaction … Continue reading Annabel Smith, The Ark (Review)
Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
In my review of Richard Flanagan's The narrow road to the deep north I talked a little about the importance of poetry to some of the main characters. I can't resist sharing just a little more on this topic. This is Dorrigo thinking, at the end of his life, though he doesn't know just how … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
My View from Here is over at BookerTalk
Karen who writes the BookerTalk blog asked me to write about reading and writing here in Australia for her inspired View from Here series. If you'd like to read what I wrote, check out my post on her blog. If you're an Aussie, I'm sure Karen would love you to add your own perspectives in the comments, because … Continue reading My View from Here is over at BookerTalk
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian librettists
I've written some long posts recently so have decided to make this one a short one. I have been intrigued in recent years to discover how many Australian novelists and poets have turned their hands to libretti, often adaptations of novels but not always. Some are opera libretti, but others are for other vocal musical … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian librettists
Richard Flanagan: The narrow road to the deep north (Review)
I love generosity of spirit, the ability to rise above terrible things to see the humanity that lies beneath. Richard Flanagan's Booker Prize shortlisted The narrow road to the deep north is, without being sentimental or glossing over the horror, a generous book - and this is why I expect it will be one of … Continue reading Richard Flanagan: The narrow road to the deep north (Review)
Whispering Gums 