Limen is a lovely word, isn't it? It's the title of Susan Hawthorne's recently published verse novel. You probably know what it means, but just in case you'd forgotten like I had, it means threshold or doorway. This Limen though is a verse novel! If you are uncertain about novels in verse, this would be … Continue reading Susan Hawthorne, Limen (Review)
Australian literature
Anna Krien, Night games: Sex, power and sport (Review)
Towards the end of her most recent non-fiction work, Night games, Anna Krien writes: I wish I'd chosen to follow an 'easier' rape trial. She's concerned that what she's written, what she's finding, won't "sit well with feminists or footballers". She might be right, but that would be a shame, because what she's produced is … Continue reading Anna Krien, Night games: Sex, power and sport (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Thoughts on Australian e-publishing
I wasn't sure whether to call this "an Australian's thoughts on e-publishing" or "thoughts on e-publishing in Australia" or the title I ended up choosing. There are subtle differences but almost too subtle for me to tease out here, so I decided to use the shortest title. I was inspired to write this post by … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Thoughts on Australian e-publishing
Irma Gold and Craig Phillips, Megumi and the bear (Review)
Now here's something different at the Gums! I don't, as you'd know, make a practice of reviewing children's literature, though I have done a few cross-over adult-young adult novels. So, when Irma Gold and Craig Phillips' children's picture book, Megumi and the bear, landed in my letterbox a week or so ago I was challenged. … Continue reading Irma Gold and Craig Phillips, Megumi and the bear (Review)
Louis Nowra, Into that forest (Review)
Louis Nowra is one versatile and prolific writer, having written novels, non-fiction, plays and screenplays, essays and even libretti. Into that forest is his latest work. It was shortlisted for the Young Adult Novel prize in the 2012 Aurealis awards and the Ethel Turner Young People's Literature prize in this year's NSW Premier's Literary Awards. … Continue reading Louis Nowra, Into that forest (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Notes on the Sydney Writers’ Festival from a non-attendee
One day I swear I will get to the Sydney Writers' Festival - properly, I mean. I have been to one session once, but that barely counts. Late May, though, tends to be one of my busiest times of the year, so the years pass and I don't get to the Festival. I do, though, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Notes on the Sydney Writers’ Festival from a non-attendee
Delicious descriptions from Down under: Carrie Tiffany on smacking
Actually, this Delicious Descriptions is not a commentary on smacking as the post title might suggest, but it is about a smacking situation - in Carrie Tiffany's Mateship with birds. It occurs when five-year-old Michael has stolen a penny from his mother and so she smacks him: Betty doesn't have the heart to pull his … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down under: Carrie Tiffany on smacking
Carrie Tiffany, Mateship with birds (Review)
Carrie Tiffany is on a roll. Last month her second novel, Mateship with birds, won the inaugural Stella Prize, and this month it won the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction at the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. It has also been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin award. Many bloggers* have already read and reviewed … Continue reading Carrie Tiffany, Mateship with birds (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The History of Emotions
I had something else planned for today's Monday musings, but it can wait, because this afternoon a member of my Jane Austen group brought something rather interesting to my attention. It's the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions. Here is how it describes itself: Emotions shape individual, community and national … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The History of Emotions
Michael Sala’s The last thread is 2013’s Pacific Region Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize
I don't know about you but I find blogging a challenge when I'm travelling, as I have been for much of May. I love my iPad for staying in touch, but I don't find it easy to write blog posts on it - either via the WordPress app or the browser. And, our old PC … Continue reading Michael Sala’s The last thread is 2013’s Pacific Region Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize
Whispering Gums 