It's clear why Affirm Press chose a comment by Raimond Gaita for the front cover of their latest publication, Michael Sala's autobiographical novel, The last thread. Gaita, for readers here who don't know, wrote an award-winning memoir, Romulus, My Father, about growing up as a migrant with mentally unstable parents. Sala's story is different but both … Continue reading Michael Sala, The last thread (Review)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: On the making of a classic
Having completed the book, I tried to get it published, but everyone to whom I offered it refused even to look at the manuscript on the ground that no Colonial could write anything worth reading. They gave no reason for this extraordinary opinion, but it was sufficient for them, and they laughed to scorn the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: On the making of a classic
Fergus W. Hume, The mystery of a hansom cab (Review)
Sometimes you just have to break your reading "rules" don't you? Two of mine are that I'm not much into detective fiction (despite having reviewed Peter Temple's Truth here) and I don't read self-published books - but then along came Fergus Hume's The mystery of a hansom cab. It's a classic Australian crime novel - … Continue reading Fergus W. Hume, The mystery of a hansom cab (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: On nurturing Australian literary classics
Over the weekend an article appeared in The Age describing the parlous situation regarding recognition of classic Australian literature. Written by Michael Heyward of Text Publishing, it's titled "Classics going to waste" and argues that those who have the power to choose and influence what people might read - publishers, professors, teachers, journalists, commentators, editors - have done a lamentable job of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: On nurturing Australian literary classics
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s first Children’s Laureates
It has been so busy here at Monday Musings that I am late with this announcement ... but that doesn't mean it's not worth making! On December 6th, 2011, the idea of an Australian Children's Laureate was inaugurated with the appointment of not one, but two, children's authors to the role. They are Alison Lester … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s first Children’s Laureates
Francesca Rendle-Short, Bite your tongue (Review)
How much do you think about the first sentence of your review? Like me, you probably try to find some anchor or point of interest to lead off from, but my problem with novelist-journalist Francesca Rendle-Short's fiction-cum-memoir, Bite your tongue, is that I have too many angles to choose from. Which one do I use? Do … Continue reading Francesca Rendle-Short, Bite your tongue (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Kim of Reading Matters
This week's Monday musings brings you my fourth guest post, this time from Kim of Reading Matters. Like Guy, Kim started commenting on my blog in its infancy and I soon discovered that this blogger from England was actually an Australian. Naturally we developed a rapport. I have appreciated Kim's support of my blog - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Kim of Reading Matters
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian Literature online events for 2012
What better way to kick off Monday Musings in 2012 than by heralding some exciting Australian Literature initiatives from around the 'net. Here they are, in no particular order: Australian Women Writers Challenge 2012 by Elizabeth Lhuede. Her aim is to promote women writers across all fields and genres of writing. The challenge involves signing up … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some Australian Literature online events for 2012
Monday musings on Australian literature: My AusLit wrap up for 2011
Here we are at the end of another year and I've decided that, rather than list my top Aussie reads for 2011, I'd list my AusLit highlights of the year. I apologise in advance that it's going to be all about me - that is, the links will be to posts on this blog. After … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: My AusLit wrap up for 2011
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest Post from Guy of His Futile Preoccupations
Monday Musings' Guest Post no. 3 comes from Guy Savage of His Futile Preoccupations. Guy started commenting on my blog very early on and endeared himself to me by giving me the nickname of Gummie. That is a very Aussie thing to do - or is it English? Guy, you see, is an expat Brit … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest Post from Guy of His Futile Preoccupations
Whispering Gums 