There was so much to write about Courtney Collins' novel The burial in my review this week that I couldn't share one of my favourite aspects - her gorgeous descriptions of the landscape. When I say gorgeous, I should clarify that the landscape itself isn't always gorgeous, but her descriptions, her ability to evoke the … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down under: Courtney Collins and landscape
Author: Whispering Gums
Queensland Literary Awards … to continue in 2013
There's sometimes a fine line in the blogging world between promoting and supporting. I don't see my role being to promote particular authors or books, but overall I like to think that my blog supports literature in general, and Australian literature in particular. A by-product of that support is probably promotion, but that's not my … Continue reading Queensland Literary Awards … to continue in 2013
Courtney Collins, The burial (Review)
I became aware of Courtney Collins' The burial when it was longlisted for the Stella Prize. It has since been shortlisted for the Stella, shortlisted for the new writing award in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and longlisted for the Dobbie Literary Award for new writing. It had previously been shortlisted for the 2009 Australian/Vogel … Continue reading Courtney Collins, The burial (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s major Literary Awards
This will be a short Monday Musings ... aren't you pleased! The literary award season for 2013 is hotting up with the most exciting thing on the horizon being the announcement of the inaugural Stella Prize due tomorrow, 16 April. In addition to this, though, we have also seen the announcement of longlists and shortlists … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s major Literary Awards
Reading my Kindle Touch
Now, here's the thing ... although I am onto my second Kindle, I still do most of my reading in print form, which might make you wonder why I'm onto my second Kindle! I upgraded to the Kindle Touch last year for one main reason, the Touch. Because Touch is quiet whilst my Kindle 3 … Continue reading Reading my Kindle Touch
Madeleine St John and the right thing
There were many ideas I wanted to discuss or share in my review of Helen Trinca's biography, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John, but it was starting to get too long ... so I thought I'd save some points for another post or two. Madeleine St John it seems had some very strong ideas … Continue reading Madeleine St John and the right thing
Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Challenge 2013 First Quarter Progress Report
Regular readers here know that while I generally do not do challenges I am taking part in the Australian Women Writers' Challenge - because it's what I like to read anyhow. The challenge, which began last year, was so successful that the initiator Elizabeth Lhuede, decided to continue it this year - and called on … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Challenge 2013 First Quarter Progress Report
Helen Trinca, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John (Review)
Madeleine (Courtesy: Text Publishing) I wanted to read Helen Trinca's biography Madeleine for several reasons. First, of course, being a reader, I'm interested in biographies and autobiographies of writers. Secondly, Madeleine St John belongs to that group of Australians, half a generation or so older than I am, that has made quite a mark on … Continue reading Helen Trinca, Madeleine: A life of Madeleine St John (Review)
The Griffyn Ensemble explores Water with the Swïne
Before the concert, at the Belconnen Arts Centre Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink (from The rime of the ancient mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge) I suppose it could be seen as clichéd to hear these words in a concert called "Water" but when the performers are the Griffyn Ensemble, cliché would … Continue reading The Griffyn Ensemble explores Water with the Swïne
Monday musings on Australian literature: The little Aussie battler
Australian public intellectual and ethicist, Clive Hamilton, wrote in his 2005 book Affluenza (excerpted in The invisible thread) that Politicians love to identify with the Aussie battler, that stoic, resilient character who has little and complains less. Fifty years ago Australia was full of battlers, people hardened by the rigours of depression and war and, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The little Aussie battler
