In another life, well, not quite another life, but in my pre-blog life when I discussed books online via listserv reading groups, I became involved in various literary discussions. One of these was whether a house or place can be a character. Some of us argued they could because they could be seen to act or react, to reflect … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Fiona McFarlane thinks a house can be a character
Delicious descriptions
Delicious descriptions: Julian Davies on reading
A couple of weeks ago I reviewed Julian Davies' Crow mellow. It's an enjoyable and at times provocative read. I'd love to share many descriptions and scenes from it but, since this is a reader's blog, I've decided to share some thoughts relevant to my focus made by the main character, poet Phil Day. Much … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Julian Davies on reading
Delicious descriptions: Eimear McBride is not all grim
Reactions to Eimear McBride's A girl is a half-formed thing, which I reviewed recently, vary greatly. It is, overall, a bleak read and its style is idiosyncratic, which makes it a double whammy. So, for example, it has been called "brutal" (by Sunday Times Ireland) and a "joyous thing" (by Michael Cathcart, RN's Books and Arts Daily). … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Eimear McBride is not all grim
Delicious descriptions: Clare Wright’s sources on the Australian landscape
While the focus of Clare Wright's The forgotten rebels of Eureka, which I recently reviewed, is the role of women in the Eureka Stockade, the book offers a wealth of wonderful insight into the times. As regular readers know, I have a specific interest in descriptions of landscape so I greatly enjoyed contemporary descriptions of the environment that … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Clare Wright’s sources on the Australian landscape
Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
In my review of Richard Flanagan's The narrow road to the deep north I talked a little about the importance of poetry to some of the main characters. I can't resist sharing just a little more on this topic. This is Dorrigo thinking, at the end of his life, though he doesn't know just how … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Richard Flanagan on Poetry
Delicious descriptions: Brooke Davis on salmon gums
In my recent review of Brooke Davis' novel Lost & found I mentioned her descriptions but didn't really give any examples. I can't leave this book without giving you two that involve a rather interesting tree. It also gives me an opportunity to share my photographs of one! They are beautiful (though my photographs don't … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Brooke Davis on salmon gums
Delicious descriptions: Some thoughts on Ouyang Yu’s language
I didn't get around, in my recent review of Ouyang Yu's novel Diary of a naked official, to discussing his language, so couldn't resist another post. As you would expect in an erotic novel, particularly one framed as a diary, the language is rife with obvious - and consciously so on the part of our … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Some thoughts on Ouyang Yu’s language
Delicious descriptions: Wallace Stegner on “what writers do”
In my recent review of Stegner's last novel, Crossing to safety, I talked a little about the nature of art (in its wider meaning). I wanted to include the following excerpt but it was a little long, and anyhow, I felt it deserved its own post. So, here it is ... About two-thirds through the … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Wallace Stegner on “what writers do”
Delicious descriptions: Jessica Anderson and urban life
I didn't quote much from Jessica Anderson's One of the wattle birds in my recent review, which is unusual for me - so I decided a Delicious Descriptions post was in order. I had trouble however choosing which excerpt to quote. My first thought was to share an example of the book's wonderful - and often very funny - dialogue, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Jessica Anderson and urban life
Delicious descriptions: More on Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries
Rightly or wrongly, I try to keep my reviews to a reasonable length. When they start creeping up to 1200 words, I worry that readers will be discouraged from reading. There's so much to read out there - so many books, so many blogs, so many articles. And so, when my review of The luminaries … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: More on Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries
Whispering Gums 