Another treasure from Trove! Just over 50 years ago, on 1 January, 1965, an article appeared in a journal titled The Good Neighbour, which was published from 1950 to 1969 by the then Department of Immigration. The article is called "Ideal books for newcomers" and opens with: Following Mary Durack's articles on "The Old Australia" which appeared … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Three weeks ago, I published a post on the first decade of the Miles Franklin Award. That seemed to interest some of my readers, so I'm back again with the next decade. I hope it's equally interesting. Again, I won't be describing all the decade's winners. You can check the Award's official site to see a complete list of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Sarah Kanake and Down syndrome in literature
In the media release accompanying my copy of Sarah Kanake's Sing fox to me (my review), we are told not only that Kanake's brother has Down syndrome but that she has a PhD in creative writing from the Queensland University of Technology "on the representations of Down syndrome in Australian literature". As far as I know her … Continue reading Sarah Kanake and Down syndrome in literature
Sarah Kanake, Sing fox to me (Review)
Back in late 2011, I wrote a Monday Musings post on 19th century Australian Gothic. I've always intended to post more on the topic, including one on Tasmanian Gothic. Well, here's a start, because Sarah Kanake's debut novel, Sing fox to me, is a good example of modern Tasmanian Gothic. I wrote in my first post that … Continue reading Sarah Kanake, Sing fox to me (Review)
Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Just a short post for those of you who read my Stella Prize longlist and shortlist posts and haven't heard the news - which would primarily be you readers from lands other than mine! The winner was not a surprise, as you may know if you read my response to BookerTalk's question on my shortlist post. It's … Continue reading Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
OK folks, today I'm begging your indulgence to let me stray from the "proper" theme of my Monday Musings series. In other words, I'm not going to talk - except for a minor digression - about Australian literature. But, I am going to talk about Australians talking about literature. Bemused? I'll explain. This last weekend in Canberra … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
In my recent review of Elizabeth Harrower's short story collection, A few days in the country, and other stories, I included a few excerpts from the stories, but they primarily were chosen to reflect the themes and content. In this post, I want to focus on her use of language, through just a small number of … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)
There's something about Elizabeth Harrower. I've just read her Stella Prize shortlisted short story collection A few days in the country, and other stories - and wow! Really, just wow! If you're a regular reader here, you've probably noticed that I'm not one to effuse excessively about books, anymore than I'm one to pan them. I'm … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Reading Bingo Challenge
I did have another post planned for today, but it can wait - indeed, it might be better written if it waited - because I'd like to tell you about a special sub-challenge in this year's Australian Women Writers (AWW) Challenge. A Reading Bingo. If, like me, you are not really up on blogger challenge culture, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: AWW Reading Bingo Challenge
Tegan Bennett Daylight, Six bedrooms (Review)
I have just read Tegan Bennett Daylight's collection of short stories, Six bedrooms, in my quest to read at least some of the Stella Prize shortlist before the announcement of the winner on the 19th of this month. I haven't read Daylight before - she has written three novels, among other things - so I was glad … Continue reading Tegan Bennett Daylight, Six bedrooms (Review)
Whispering Gums 