I indicated in my recent review of Meanjin's special Canberra issue that I would write another post or two on the issue. This is one of those posts. It may, in fact, be the only one, for who knows where the spirit will lead me next? Right now though, I want to devote a post … Continue reading Christos Tsiolkas in Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue
Author: Whispering Gums
Monday musings on Australian literature: Indigenous writing and Canberra
This is going to be a difficult post to write because, really, my knowledge is superficial, but I figure that if I put out some feelers, I just might learn something from those who read this and, hopefully, comment. I was inspired to write it by - yes, you've probably guessed it - Canberra's centenary, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Indigenous writing and Canberra
Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue (Review)
Zora Sanders writes in her Editorial for Meanjin's Canberra Issue that Canberra has (or, is it had) a reputation for being The National Capital of Boredom. This is just one of the many less-than-flattering epithets regularly applied to Canberra: A Cemetery with Lights, Fat Cat City, and the pervasive, A City without a Soul. For me … Continue reading Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading about Canberra
If you're not already aware of it - through my blog or elsewhere - Canberra turns 100 this year. Tomorrow, Tuesday 12 March, is THE day. How does one date a city with such precision? Well, in Canberra's case it's pretty easy because it was (is) a planned city. I suppose a number of dates … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading about Canberra
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Final, or the Winner is announced
Sorry folks, but I have been slack. Meanjin took a little while to post the final round but I've taken even longer to report back to you. February was not a good reading and blogging month for me as my Past Whisperings link shows. I am, however, back now and ready to post the winner … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Final, or the Winner is announced
Graeme Simsion, The Rosie project (Review)
While I go to films fairly regularly, I rarely think of adapting books to film when I am reading. However, I was only a few pages into Graeme Simsion's The Rosie project when it occurred to me that it was perfect film material. The feeling got stronger - and then around a third of the … Continue reading Graeme Simsion, The Rosie project (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: University presses
I was inspired to write this post last year when commenter Wendy Borchers mentioned Catchfire Press and described it as being associated with the University of Newcastle. I'd never heard of it. It is a community-based press primarily run by volunteers, but their covers, they say, are chosen by competition between senior design students at … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: University presses
Anita Heiss, Paris dreaming (Review)
Late last year I wrote a post about the inaugural Canberra Readers' Festival. One of the speakers was indigenous Australian author, academic and activist, Anita Heiss. I wrote then that I bought one of her books. It was her fourth (I think) chick lit novel, Paris dreaming. This might surprise regular readers here, as chick … Continue reading Anita Heiss, Paris dreaming (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Stella Prize longlist
Miles Franklin, c. 1940s (Presumed Public Domain, via Wikipedia) I have mentioned the new Stella Prize before but, for those of you who may not be across this new award on the Australian literary scene, here is a brief recap. It is named for Miles Franklin – her full name was Stella Maria Sarah Miles … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Stella Prize longlist
Thea Astley, The monstrous accent on youth (Review)
I was going to start this post with that well-known quote by Sophocles - or was it Plato - complaining about the young people of today, but a little bit of research turned up the fact that that quote is somewhat spurious. It was probably inspired by Plato's Republic in which he presents a dialogue … Continue reading Thea Astley, The monstrous accent on youth (Review)
Whispering Gums 