Regular readers will know that in June I joined in Lisa's (ANZLitLovers) Elizabeth Jolley Week by posting two reviews, one of which was for the novella Orchard thieves. In that post I mentioned the sly humour, but I didn't really share a quote to demonstrate it. However, I knew that I could always write a … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Elizabeth Jolley on the value of libraries
Delicious descriptions
Delicious descriptions: Tasma’s country town
It's some time since I wrote a Delicious Descriptions post, but these three paragraphs from Tasma's Uncle Piper of Piper's Hill (beginning of Pt IV, CH 3, "Laura does penance"), which I reviewed a few days ago, are too delicious not to share: THE remark that Voltaire made about the great Russian Empire, when he compared … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Tasma’s country town
Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert
I wanted to use this Descriptions series to share a couple of Mahood's gorgeous descriptions from her memoir, Position doubtful, which I reviewed recently, but I've decided to share one about maps and relationships (and you'll probably see why), and a description. From a mapping expedition: The shortcomings of my prototype map soon become evident. … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Kim Mahood’s desert
Delicious descriptions: Freya Stark on a studied absence of curiosity
Usually I post a Delicious Description after my main post on the book in question, but I'm reversing my practice this time, for no other reason than time. I haven't quite finished my main post but am going to be out of town for a few days, so I thought I'd whet your appetite while I'm … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Freya Stark on a studied absence of curiosity
Delicious descriptions: Louise Mack’s dialogue and satire
Over Christmas, during one of my conversations with Son Gums, he commented how he tires of meaningless conversations, conversations, for example, in which people discuss a television series they've seen but say nothing of note. He mimicked the sort of conversation he meant ... well, imagine my surprise when, in one of those surprising synchronicities, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Louise Mack’s dialogue and satire
Delicious descriptions: Pierre Lemaitre on the artist
I recently reviewed Pierre Lemaitre's The great swindle which is primarily about postwar France - specifically about the way returned soldiers were treated, and more broadly about money and the way it was driving behaviour, values and relationships. I'll share just one little specific reference to this, a description of the scurrilous (and poverty-stricken aristocrat) Pradelle, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Pierre Lemaitre on the artist
Delicious descriptions: Robyn Cadwallader’s voices
In my recent review of Robyn Cadwallader's The anchoress, I included very few quotes or excerpts to show her writing. Somehow my post ended up in other directions. But, she had some wonderful ways of describing the world she created, and I'd like to share one aspect to demonstrate this. Locked away in her cell, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Robyn Cadwallader’s voices
Delicious descriptions: Chinua Achebe’s people and places
In my recent post on Chinua Achebe's classic, Things fall apart, I focused mostly on its themes and ideas, which drove the quotes I chose to share. Here I want to show more of his writing, including his wit and use of imagery. I'll start with this early description of the protagonist, Okonkwo, who is determined … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Chinua Achebe’s people and places
Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
In my recent review of Elizabeth Harrower's short story collection, A few days in the country, and other stories, I included a few excerpts from the stories, but they primarily were chosen to reflect the themes and content. In this post, I want to focus on her use of language, through just a small number of … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s country
Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s Circles
In my recent review of Elizabeth Harrower's In certain circles, I focused on the book's form and overall themes, and warned that I'd produce a Delicious Descriptions to share some of her writing. So, here it is, organised by headings to keep it simple ... Gender I didn't focus on gender in my review, but this is Harrower, and it is one … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Elizabeth Harrower’s Circles
Whispering Gums 