My recent review of Herz Bergner's Between sky and sea reminded me of a rather ignored Australian literary award, the ALS Gold Medal, that I'd come across a few years ago but have let slip beneath my radar. It is time, methinks, to bring it to the fore. It was initially awarded by the Australian … Continue reading ALS Gold Medal (and 2009 award shortlist)
Australian literature
Herz Bergner, Between sky and sea
Book cover (Courtesy: Text Publishing) Do you read introductions to novels? And, if you do, do you read them before or after you read the novel itself? I read them, but always afterwards because I like to come to novels as objectively as I can. And so, this is what I did with Herz Bergner's … Continue reading Herz Bergner, Between sky and sea
Gums have blossoms too
Red flowering gum blossom, "Wild fire" I thought it was time to show that Gums can have gorgeous flowers as well as interesting bark. Not all gums have dramatic flowers. The one in my garden doesn't, for example - as is clear from its name: Eucalyptus pauciflora! But some gums, like this hybrid of the … Continue reading Gums have blossoms too
Andrea Goldsmith, Reunion
Reunion bookcover (Courtesy: HarperCollins Australia) I wanted to love Andrea Goldsmith's Reunion. And I expected to, as I remember enjoying the last book of hers that I read. But, somehow, I found it a bit of chore to read, though it did pick up towards the end. I think I understand why it was not listed … Continue reading Andrea Goldsmith, Reunion
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2010
The literary awards season is well and truly here downunder ... and last night, just before the opening of this year's Sydney Writers Festival, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for 2010 were announced. The full list of winners can be found here, so I'll just name the critical ones, from my point of view (with links … Continue reading NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2010
Shaun Tan, Eric
When I bought Eric on a whim the other day (as you do!), I didn't realise that it had been excerpted from Shaun Tan's Tales from outer suburbia which I haven't yet read, but have given to others. That's okay though, because it means that I've finally read a little of Shaun Tan, something I've wanted to … Continue reading Shaun Tan, Eric
Alex Miller, Lovesong
Lovesong is my first Alex Miller novel, which is a bit embarrassing, really, given that he has won the Miles Franklin Award twice. John was the quiet type ... Except when he was telling me his story. Even then there was something quiet and private in the way he spoke about himself and Sabiha; as … Continue reading Alex Miller, Lovesong
Thea Astley, The multiple effects of rain shadow (Review)
There are two main reasons why I like - actually love - to read Thea Astley. One is her language, her wonderful way with words that may, at times, be over-the-top but that is never clichéd. The other is her passion for the underdog, and thus for social justice in a world where it is … Continue reading Thea Astley, The multiple effects of rain shadow (Review)
Miles Franklin shortlist for 2010
It seems vaguely silly for all we bloggers to be announcing the same thing - except that perhaps each of us has a slightly different readership so maybe it's not completely redundant for me to announce here what has already been announced elsewhere - at Musings of a Literary Dilettante. The Dilettante has provided links … Continue reading Miles Franklin shortlist for 2010
On the literary road, in north-east Victoria
Last year I wrote a couple of posts about places of literary interest that we passed through on a road trip. Here is another such post, again using The Oxford literary guide to Australia as my main source. Yarrawonga, Vic Yarrawonga was where, on this trip, we hit Victoria first. It is a twin town … Continue reading On the literary road, in north-east Victoria
Whispering Gums 