I haven't made a practice of doing author interviews on my blog. In fact, the only other interview I've presented was one the now defunct magazine Wet Ink did with Nigel Featherstone. However, when Catherine McNamara asked whether I'd be happy to host her as part of her blog tour, I was more than happy … Continue reading Author interview with “word hustler” Catherine McNamara
Australian literature
Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
It seems fitting that my first review of the year be for a book of short stories by one of this blog's regular commenters, Catherine McNamara. I have reviewed McNamara before, her first published novel, The divorced lady's companion to living in Italy. McNamara describes that book as commercial fiction. It is, to describe it … Continue reading Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
Notable reads and highlights from 2013
Last year I wrote two highlights posts - a general one on blogging and reading, and a specific one targeting books. This year, I think I'll revert to one post and combine the two. (I'll provide links to my posts where relevant - not to promote myself, but to make it easy for those of … Continue reading Notable reads and highlights from 2013
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013
As last year, I'm devoting my last Monday Musings for 2013 to the Australian Women Writers Challenge. This challenge, instigated by Elizabeth Lhuede in response to growing concern in Australian literary circles about lack of recognition for women writers, was so successful in 2012 that Elizabeth, with the help of a team of volunteers, decided to continue … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Final, or the Winner is announced
One of the best things about blogging is the conversation it can engender. I was consequently pleased then when my last post on the Meanjin Tournament got some conversation going about the tournament itself - some thoughtful, respectful conversation. So, before I report on the final round, I thought I'd discuss this a little ... This … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Final, or the Winner is announced
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 2
Round two of this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books has now been played - as of a couple of days before Christmas. Here are the winners Round 2 Match 1: Tim Winton's Breath defeated Kim Scott's That deadman dance Well, I must say I'm surprised. Much as I love both these books - both of which … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 2
Monday musings on Australian literature: Translated fiction, Australian-style
Having just read and reviewed Linda Jaivin's Quarterly essay, Lost in translation: In praise of a plural world, I thought I'd research the state of translated fiction in Australia. Jaivin doesn't spend a lot of time of this particular issue, but in her concluding plea she says: Publishers need to consider how to prise open … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Translated fiction, Australian-style
Linda Jaivin, Found in translation: In praise of a plural world (Review)
Reading synchronicity strikes again! In the last couple of months, the issue of language, translation and culture has been crossing my path - in Diego Marani's The last of the Vostyachs, in Gabrielle Gouch's Once, only the swallows were free, and on Lisa's blog post about the AALITRA Symposium on Translation. I was consequently more than … Continue reading Linda Jaivin, Found in translation: In praise of a plural world (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian migration literature
Last week I reviewed Gabrielle Gouch's memoir, Once, only the swallows were free, in which she tells of her family's migration from Hungary to Romania to Israel, and then her own on to Australia. While Gouch focuses more on the brother left behind, she does touch on the challenges of migration - the dislocation and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian migration literature
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 1
Hmm, when I announced this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books over three weeks ago, I thought I'd be back before now with an update. However, the last match in Round 1 was only posted a couple of days ago, and I wanted to wait until the Round was finished before reporting back. So, here I am … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 1
Whispering Gums 