In the 1980s my interest in Australian literature, which had been initially kindled by my parents and school, was renewed. In the 1980s, too, women writers started to flourish again. Consequently, this second wave interest of mine was drawn particularly to these women. I read their books of course (I'm thinking particularly of Elizabeth Jolley, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading about Australian women writers
Author: Whispering Gums
Tangea Tansley, A break in the chain: The early Kozminskys
In the postscript to her novel A break in the chain, Tangea Tansley quotes Doris Lessing's statement that 'fiction is better at "the truth" than a factual record'. This gets to the nub of my challenge with this book, which is a fictionalised account of three generations of the author's family, particularly her great grandparents … Continue reading Tangea Tansley, A break in the chain: The early Kozminskys
How do you handle Copyright on your blog?
Since the beginning of this blog I have been concerned about Copyright, and have worked through it in stages. I'm not a copyright expert and have no legal training, but I thought I'd share - in case it helps others - some of my thought processes over the last two years or so of my … Continue reading How do you handle Copyright on your blog?
Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Writers’ retreats
The last Monday Musings in June was on Christina Stead's house and the current owners' plans to modify it in a way that would spoil some of its heritage significance. The commentary on the post included discussion of how writers' homes can be used. One rather apposite way is as writers' retreats. We have a … Continue reading Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Writers’ retreats
Red Dog (Movie and Book)
First, the disclaimer: I'm a dog person and am therefore a sucker for stories about dogs and their loyalty. I know, I know, it's their nature, but that doesn't stop me crying over doggie devotion stories. Red Dog is one of these! If dogs don't move you, you may not want to see this film, … Continue reading Red Dog (Movie and Book)
Alexis Wright, Carpentaria
Alexis Wright's Carpentaria won the Miles Franklin Award in 2007 and I read it back around then but it's a book that keeps coming back to me so I thought it was time I shared why. This won't be my usual review, but rather random comments on the ideas that float around my head. First though, you … Continue reading Alexis Wright, Carpentaria
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some novels about the second world war
As I am still immersed in things paternal - and as my father served in the second world war - I thought that this week I'd take the easy way out again and list some of my favourite Australian novels about that war. Although I call myself a pacifist, I don't shy away from war … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some novels about the second world war
How’s this for a description of reading?
I was going to make this post another Delicious Descriptions, but decided it needed a more direct heading. It's another quote from Kim Scott's That deadman dance and has been used by several reviewers of the book. But I think it needs a post of its own: When Bobby Wabalaginy told the story, perhaps more … Continue reading How’s this for a description of reading?
Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Kim Scott on Indigenous connection with the land
A short Delicious Description today from Kim Scott's That deadman dance, but an important one because it attempts to convey to we non-indigenous people just how closely indigenous people relate to their environment. It comes from the same expedition as my previous Delicious Descriptions post: Sometimes Wooral addressed the bush as if he were walking … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Kim Scott on Indigenous connection with the land
Monday musings on Australian literature: Five fascinating fictional fathers
This week's Monday musings has a personal, sentimental, genesis. Last Friday, my 91-year-old father underwent his third major abdominal surgery in 6 years. It's a big ask for an older body but he's hanging in there. My parents, not surprisingly I suppose, were instrumental in my becoming a reader. My mother introduced me to Jane … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Five fascinating fictional fathers
