Aldo Benjamin, the anti-hero of Quicksand, accuses wannabe-writer-friend Liam of having "such little imagination". You could not, however, accuse the novel's author, Steve Toltz, of this. Quicksand reads a bit like a 19th century satirical novel transplanted into the 21st century. It is big in size (though not as big as his first, A fraction of the whole), broad in subject … Continue reading Steve Toltz, Quicksand (Review)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: New Australian releases for 2016
With the first month of 2016 already gone, I thought it was time I had a look around to see what new works are in the pipeline this year from our Aussie authors. This is a serendipitous list, partly because tracking down this information isn't easy and partly because I'm more interested in providing a flavour … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: New Australian releases for 2016
Halina Rubin, Journeys with my mother (Review)
I've read a lot of World War 2 literature over the years, but very little from the Polish point of view, so I was more than willing to read Halina Rubin's Journeys with my mother when it was offered to me a few months ago. Rubin was born in Warsaw on 27 August 1939. Note the date: her mother, … Continue reading Halina Rubin, Journeys with my mother (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie writing duos
My inspiration for Monday Musings comes from various sources - my own interests, roving around Trove, news articles or stories I come across, or other bloggers. Today's post was inspired by Lisa's (ANZLitLovers) post on Gert Loveday's novel, Writing is easy. Gert Loveday is a collective pseudonym for two sisters, Joan Kerr and Gabrielle Daly. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie writing duos
Phillip Stamatellis, Growing up café: a short memoir (Review)
Phillip Stamatellis' Growing up café is the third book I've read in publisher Finlay Lloyd's fl smalls collection. Unlike the previous two, by established creators Paul McDermott and Carmel Bird, it is a debut work by an unknown writer. According to the author bio provided at the beginning of the book, Stamatellis is studying writing at the University of … Continue reading Phillip Stamatellis, Growing up café: a short memoir (Review)
Delicious descriptions: Emma Ayres on music
If the bicycle trip gives Emma Ayres' travel memoir Cadence its chronological spine, it is music which provides its skeleton. However, before I discuss music, I need to respond to those commenters on my review who noted that "cadence" is also a cycling term. As I'd heard the book rather than read it, I couldn't quite recollect … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Emma Ayres on music
Monday musings on Australian literature: June Wright, Crime novelist
Regular readers here may be surprised to see this subject for a Monday Musings given I'm not known as a crime aficionado, but never let it be said that I'm not open-minded. I came across June Wright last year in my role as convener of the Literary and Classics area of the Australian Women Writers Challenge, and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: June Wright, Crime novelist
Emma Ayres, Cadence: Travels with music (Review)
Although Emma Ayres' memoir Cadence had been passed around my reading group with much enthusiasm over the last year or so, I wasn't intending to read it - not because I wasn't interested, but because there were other books I wanted to read more. However, when I found the audiobook at my aunt's house while … Continue reading Emma Ayres, Cadence: Travels with music (Review)
Delicious descriptions: Stephen Orr’s farm family
When I reviewed Stephen Orr's farm-set novel, The hands, last week, I didn't share many quotes as the post was getting rather long. I decided I'd use my Delicious Descriptions series instead! So, here are three excerpts to show you more of what I so enjoyed about Orr's writing. One aspect I really enjoyed was his dialogue, but it's tricky choosing … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Stephen Orr’s farm family
Monday musings on Australian literature: Regional differences in Australian English
While dining in Thredbo this weekend, we were served by a waiter who, when I asked for a certain ingredient to be excluded from my dish, repeated it back with the order, "and no to-mAY-to" she said. Her accent wasn't strong but this stood out, so when she returned to our table, we asked whether … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Regional differences in Australian English
Whispering Gums 