It's some time since I wrote a Delicious Descriptions post, but I want to explore Charlotte Wood's novel Stone Yard devotional (my review) just a little more. Although I finished it over a week ago, I keep thinking about its evocation of quiet lives in retreat - and what Wood might be saying. I am, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Charlotte Wood on silence and solitude
Delicious descriptions
Delicious descriptions: John Hughes on Newcastle
Recently, Bill (the Australian Legend) commented on a post of mine that reviewers rarely talk about place or "think geographically". I'm not sure exactly what he means, but I think, partly, he wants us to discuss whether we think what we are reading accurately depicts place. Now, I love descriptions of place, for all sorts … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: John Hughes on Newcastle
Delicious descriptions: Ida Vitale and Byobu on literature and humanity
I couldn't include in my recent post on Ida Vitale's Byobu all the ideas that grabbed my attention. It's impressive how such 85-page book could contain so much, more than I can even include here. However, I do want to share (document) a few more ideas here, for my own benefit at least, before I … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Ida Vitale and Byobu on literature and humanity
Delicious descriptions: Sara Dowse on Canberra
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. Soon after, I wrote a Delicious Descriptions on West Block, promising another one on Canberra - because, well, I can, and Canberra is my city. … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Sara Dowse on Canberra
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
Delicious descriptions: Gay Lynch on place, in colonial South Australia
In my recent post on Gay Lynch's historical fiction novel, Unsettled, I spent so much time writing about it, that I didn't share any quotes as I usually do, so I'm using a Delicious Descriptions post to share just a couple of descriptions of the setting, which is around Gambierton/Mt Gambier in South Australia. In … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Gay Lynch on place, in colonial South Australia
Delicious descriptions: Madelaine Dickie on Indigenous language and Uranium
My recent post on Madelaine Dickie's Red can origami was getting too long - and I just couldn't cover in detail all that I wanted to, so I've decided to do one of my rare Delicious Descriptions posts to expand some ideas from the book. Concluding my post, I commented that the novel is an … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Madelaine Dickie on Indigenous language and Uranium
Delicious descriptions: EM Forster and downsizing
My reading group's next book is EM Forster's Howard's end which I first read at university in 1973. (My lovely Penguin Modern Classics edition cost me all of $1.20.) It's a delicious read and I'm falling in love with Forster all over again. My full post on it will go up some time next week, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: EM Forster and downsizing
Delicious descriptions: Laurie Steed’s divorced mum
I don't do many Delicious Descriptions these days, but I did want to share another quote from Laurie Steed's You belong here which I reviewed recently. The book concerns a marriage break-up and its impact on the family. This quote comes from the point-of-view of the daughter, Emily, who's around 19 at the time, thinking … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Laurie Steed’s divorced mum
Delicious descriptions: Marie Munkara on cars
I don't usually post Delicious Descriptions before I review a book but this one seems apposite. Yesterday, we did a tour of the Tiwi Islands - of Bathurst Island in particular. This is where Marie Munkara's memoir Of ashes and rivers that run to the sea, which I mentioned in my last Monday Musings, is … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Marie Munkara on cars
Whispering Gums 