I only occasionally use my Monday Musings post to make awards announcements. Today is one of those occasions, because the Nib Literary Awards longlist was announced today and I did want to share it, as it's one of Australia's quieter but yet interesting awards. I have written about it before and in that post you … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 2021 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award longlist
Australian literature
Price Warung, Selected tales of Price Warung (#BookReview)
Price Warung, as I wrote in my previous post on him, is the pseudonym used by English-born Australian writer, William Astley, who came to Australia with his parents in 1859 when he was still a child. Astley became a radical journalist and short-story writer, with particular interests in transportation/convict literature, and the Labour and Federation … Continue reading Price Warung, Selected tales of Price Warung (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: a “grim continent”?
These are grim times, so you might have assumed that our current predicament is today's topic, but no, we are going back to 1929. My, if there was a grim time, 1929 heralded such a one. However, it's not the Depression I'm going to either. In fact, the article I found in Trove, which inspired … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: a “grim continent”?
Delicious descriptions: Sara Dowse on West Block
In my recent post on Sara Dowse's West Block, I ran out of time to share some quotes and thoughts on her depiction of Canberra and the heritage building, West Block, in which the novel is set. I am remedying that now. But, I'll start by saying that, like most readers, I love reading because … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Sara Dowse on West Block
Sara Dowse, West Block (#BookReview)
The decision to republish, last year, Sara Dowse's pioneering 1983 novel, West Block, was prescient. Think about this. In last weekend's The Saturday Paper (14 August 2021), journalist Karen Middleton wrote about an issue involving the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. In her article, she shares some comments made about this Department by law … Continue reading Sara Dowse, West Block (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 3: Biography
Time for another in my little Monday Musings sub-series on "supporting" genres. I've chosen Biography for this one, since the 2021 National Biography Award winner will be announced this month. However, I have written quite a bit about Australian biography before: Australian Literary Biographies The Hazel Rowley Literary Fund Indigenous Australian biographies The National Biography … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Supporting genres, 3: Biography
Monday musings on Australian literature: Poetry Month 2021
I have posted on World Poetry Day, which occurs in March, several times in recent years. And I have written about Australian poetry various times, including about the Red Room Company (or, Red Room Poetry). Their vision is very simple: "to make poetry in meaningful ways". They have initiated and supported various projects over the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Poetry Month 2021
Queensland Literary Awards 2021 shortlist announced
I haven't reported often on these awards, but they are an example of the literary world's faith in the value of awards, as any of you who remember their history will know. They are an interesting set of awards because they combine specific state awards and awards for which all Australian writers are eligible. And … Continue reading Queensland Literary Awards 2021 shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the fourth decade (1988-1997)
Miles Franklin, c. 1940s (Presume Public Domain, via Wikipedia) This is my fourth post in a little sub-series looking at the Miles Franklin Award by decade. As with the first three, written back in 2016, I don't plan to list all the decade's winners, as you can find them on the Award's official site. Instead, I'll share some interesting snippets, inspired … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the fourth decade (1988-1997)
Nardi Simpson, Song of the crocodile (#BookReview)
Nardi Simpson's Song of the crocodile is a tight multi-generational saga set in the fictional town of Darnmoor over the last decades of the twentieth century. It tells the story of the people of the Campgrounds, who are ostracised, exploited and abused by the white townspeople. Between the Campgrounds and the town proper, with its … Continue reading Nardi Simpson, Song of the crocodile (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 