How many novels have you read featuring the Vietnam War? I've not read many I must say, but last year I did review Charles Hall's Summer's gone, and now this year I've read Josephine Rowe's A loving, faithful animal. It's a debut novel but, from its form, you can tell that Rowe is an accomplished short story writer. I … Continue reading Josephine Rowe, A loving, faithful animal (Review)
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers on the outback
After I posted my completion of the AWW Bingo Card yesterday a discussion ensued on Lisa's ANZLitLovers blog regarding her comment on the dearth of books written by women "set in the outback". That got me thinking ... and it seemed like a good topic to play with in a Monday Musings. There's a question to resolve … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers on the outback
AWW Bingo 2016 Challenge Completed
For a blogger of more than 7-years standing who doesn't take part in memes and challenges, I'm doing a good job this month. First it was 6 degrees of separation earlier this month, and now it's a bingo game. I have good reasons for these exceptions, but I don't expect you really want to know those, … Continue reading AWW Bingo 2016 Challenge Completed
Bruce Pascoe, Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? (Review)
Indigenous author Bruce Pascoe's Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? was my reading group's October book, and a very interesting read and discussion it turned out to be. It's not a simple book to discuss and really got us thinking, eliciting a variety of responses, though we all agreed with Pascoe's basic premise that we Australians need … Continue reading Bruce Pascoe, Dark emu, black seeds: Agriculture or accident? (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels about objects
This weekend I went to the National Museum of Australia's current visiting exhibition, A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum. The promo describes it thus: "Explore the history of humanity — how we have shaped the world, and how the world has shaped us — in this major exhibition. Witness compelling stories … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Novels about objects
Anna Spargo-Ryan, The paper house (Review)
I hadn't heard of Anna Spargo-Ryan's novel, The paper-house, when it was sent to me for review, which is not surprising given it's a debut novel. However, I loved the cover - designed by one of Australia's top book designers, Sandy Cull - and so was more than willing to give it a go. It traverses some … Continue reading Anna Spargo-Ryan, The paper house (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (Literary) Award
I was thrilled to hear on the radio this morning that Carmel Bird had won this year's Patrick White (Literary) Award. Bird is such a worthy winner for this award, but more on that anon. The Patrick White Award* is named, obviously, for one of Australia's most significant writers and only, to date, Nobel Laureate in Literature. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (Literary) Award
Monday musings on Australian literature: 2016 awards season dragging to a close
As the year draws to a close, our final major literary awards are being announced. We've seen this month the winners of the Queensland Literary Awards and the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards. The Barbara Jefferis Award has announced its shortlist, but we are still waiting for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlist. All but one … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 2016 awards season dragging to a close
Leah A, Ten silly poems by a ten year old (Review)
PREFACE AND DISCLOSURE: As some of you know Son Gums is a primary school teacher. One of the programs he likes to run with his class is "the Passion Project". Part of the theory behind this project is that kids don't always get to do in class the things that really interest them so, over … Continue reading Leah A, Ten silly poems by a ten year old (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Arts, mid-1960s style
Last week's Monday Musings discussed my high school history book, Nation and people, published in 1967. I don't plan to labour this book, but I would like to share its chapter on the Arts. The authors, Brian Hodge and Allen Whitehurst, dedicate 8 pages to "The Arts" which is pretty good, I think, for a school history book. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Arts, mid-1960s style
Whispering Gums 