I could write posts and posts sharing gems from Michelle de Kretser's Questions of travel, and who knows, maybe I will. Right now, though, I'll just share one of the many commenting on how travel has infiltrated the way we live: Laura Fraser belonged to an age and a place where an amazing thing was … Continue reading Michelle de Kretser on the benefits – hmm – of travel
Author: Whispering Gums
Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Every now and then a book comes along that is so sweeping in its conception, that it almost defies review. Such a book is this year's Miles Franklin Award winner, Questions of travel by Michelle de Kretser. Consequently, I'm going to focus on one aspect that particularly spoke to me - and that is her … Continue reading Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Back in May, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) announced its Best Young Australian Novelists awards. They have been doing this for 17 years, though I only became aware of them a few years ago. They are usually announced at or to coincide with the Sydney Writers Festival. The judges this year were Marc McEvoy, SMH … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Identity … Cusack meets Heiss
A few days ago I reviewed Dymphna Cusack's A window in the dark, a sort-of memoir of her two decades as a teacher. As seems to happen more often than not, I found synchronicities between it and my previous read, Anita Heiss's Am I black enough for you? The main one relates to identity. I … Continue reading Identity … Cusack meets Heiss
Dymphna Cusack, A window in the dark (Review)
Dymphna Cusack's A window in the dark has been glaring at me from my TBR pile for many years now. Not being able to stand it any longer, I decided to sneak it in before my next reading group book, Michelle de Kretser's Questions of travel. Posthumously published by the National Library of Australia, A window … Continue reading Dymphna Cusack, A window in the dark (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Role of Aboriginal literature
Most keen readers have firm views about the value of reading to them. Some, I think, read mainly to escape. Others like to be opened to other ways of being and thinking. Others like the things they learn - yes, even from fiction! And still others love beautiful or interesting language. These aren't the only … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Role of Aboriginal literature
Two under-the-radar Australian literary awards announced
A couple of lesser known - but significant to me - literary awards were announced over the last week or so, one national and the other local. I'd like to tell you about them! ALS Gold Medal 2013 The ALS Gold Medal is awarded by the Association for the Study of Australian Literature. It doesn't usually … Continue reading Two under-the-radar Australian literary awards announced
Anita Heiss, Am I black enough for you (Review)
Anita Heiss's Am I black enough for you? is a challenge to categorise, so I'll start with writer Benjamin Law's description on the cover of my edition. He calls it "part family history, part manifesto" to which I'd add "part memoir" because "family history" does not really cover the self-description aspect of the book. For … Continue reading Anita Heiss, Am I black enough for you (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: BlackWords
NAIDOC Week, to which last week's Monday Musings was dedicated, officially finished yesterday, but I've decided to bookend it with another Monday Musings focusing on indigenous Australian literature. This post, in fact, also harks back to two Monday Musings ago which talked about the AustLit database - because I want to introduce you to one … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: BlackWords
Melissa Lucashenko, How green is my valley (Review)
Almost a year ago I reviewed a short story, "The silent majority", by Melissa Lucashenko. It was published in the Griffith Review of November 2009. I enjoyed the story and so, in honour of NAIDOC Week and ANZLitLovers Indigenous Literature Week, I thought I'd review another of her Griffith Review contributions. This one, "How green … Continue reading Melissa Lucashenko, How green is my valley (Review)
Whispering Gums 