The orchardist's daughter is local author Karen Viggers' fourth novel, but the first that I've read. She has, however, appeared on my blog before, being the person who conversed with Sofie Laguna about her novel, The choke. It was one of the most entertaining conversations I've ever attended. Now, if you haven't read or heard of … Continue reading Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
A rather left-of-field topic for Monday Musings, but did you know that last Friday, March 29th, was World Piano Day? The Piano Day site asks how we are going to celebrate it. Well, three days late, I'm celebrating it by talking about Australian literature that features pianos. Why not? World Piano Day is new - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pianos in Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
Today's post was inspired by two comments on yesterday's post which featured a public reading event I'd taken part in. Lisa (ANZLitLovers) commented that she is taking part in a reading of James Joyce's Ulysses in a Queenscliff bookshop next Bloomsday, while Karen (Booker Talk) said she wasn't sure she'd heard of such a grand … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading marathons
Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Melissa Lucashenko's title for her latest novel Too much lip conveys a lot about what she is trying to do here. Superficially, the title refers to protagonist Kerry's refusal (or inability) "to swallow her opinions", but there are layers to the title which reflect the layers in the novel. Kerry is female and Indigenous, and … Continue reading Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: NSW Premier’s Translation Prize
Don't worry. I know this is the second Monday Musings post in a row inspired by the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, but when I wrote last week's post, I felt that one on the Translation Prize in this suite of awards would be an appropriate follow-up. It's not the start of a Monday Musings trend! … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: NSW Premier’s Translation Prize
Us Mob Writing, Too deadly (#BookReview)
Too deadly is an anthology of writings by the Canberra-based writing group Us Mob Writing. Comprising Australian First Nations writers, this group was formed in the late 1990s and is, apparently, one of our capital's longest running writers' groups. I saw advertising for the book's launch back in late 2017, but was unable to attend. I … Continue reading Us Mob Writing, Too deadly (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Multicultural NSW Award
Synchronicity strikes again, this time concerning the idea of multiculturalism. In the last week or so, it has popped up several times - in Lisa's post on the NSW Premier's Literary Awards shortlist, in the conversation I attended last Thursday featuring historian Michelle Arrow on her book The Seventies, and then in the Festival Muse … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Multicultural NSW Award
Michelle Arrow in conversation with Frank Bongiorno
A few days ago, Mr Gums and I attended another ANU/The Canberra Times Meet the Author event, this one featuring Australian historian Michelle Arrow in conversation with Australian historian Frank Bongiorno. It was an especially interesting pairing because Arrow's book, which she is currently touring, is titled The seventies: The personal, the political and the … Continue reading Michelle Arrow in conversation with Frank Bongiorno
Stella Prize 2019 Shortlist announced
As you probably know, the Stella Prize is the award I particularly like to follow, though I don't always post on the Longlist and the Shortlist as I am this year. The Longlist was announced on 7 February (my post), and the shortlist was announced, today, International Women's Day, as has, appropriately, become tradition. Here … Continue reading Stella Prize 2019 Shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Eight writers to look out for (2017)
Back in December 2017 The Guardian Australia ran an article titled "Eight new Australian writers you should read (according to those who know)". As the title implies, it lists eight emerging Australia writers to look out for. It's a serendipitous list compiled by their asking "industry insiders – publishers, editors, festival directors – for their pick of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Eight writers to look out for (2017)
Whispering Gums 