And now for something rather different here at Whispering Gums. Crime literature, as my regular readers know, is not my forte. In fact, I really only read crime if it comes my way for a specific reason - such as Peter Temple winning the Miles Franklin Award a few years ago. That doesn't mean however … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Sisters in Crime
Literary awards
Monday musings on Australian literature: MUBA 2013
Last year I reported on the inaugural MUBA - Most Under-rated Book Award. I hoped that it would continue, because it brings to our attention good books that somehow slide under the radar, mostly because their authors are less known and/or their publishers are small. In 2012, I had read one of the four short-listed … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: MUBA 2013
Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Every now and then a book comes along that is so sweeping in its conception, that it almost defies review. Such a book is this year's Miles Franklin Award winner, Questions of travel by Michelle de Kretser. Consequently, I'm going to focus on one aspect that particularly spoke to me - and that is her … Continue reading Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Two under-the-radar Australian literary awards announced
A couple of lesser known - but significant to me - literary awards were announced over the last week or so, one national and the other local. I'd like to tell you about them! ALS Gold Medal 2013 The ALS Gold Medal is awarded by the Association for the Study of Australian Literature. It doesn't usually … Continue reading Two under-the-radar Australian literary awards announced
Hilary Mantel, Bring up the bodies (Review)
In her author's note at the end of her second Thomas Cromwell novel, Bring up the bodies, Hilary Mantel writes that: In this book I try to show how a few crucial weeks might have looked from Thomas Cromwell's point of view. I am not claiming authority for my version; I am making the reader … Continue reading Hilary Mantel, Bring up the bodies (Review)
Australian Women Writers 2013 Challenge completed – and Miles Franklin Award Winner 2013
As regular readers here know by now, last year I broke my non-challenge rule to take part in the Australian Women Writer's Challenge. It was so satisfying, I decided to do it again this year. After all, it's really the challenge I'd do when I'm not doing a challenge. Like last year, I signed up … Continue reading Australian Women Writers 2013 Challenge completed – and Miles Franklin Award Winner 2013
Monday musings on Australian literature: Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2013 shortlist
We have been waiting, waiting, waiting for the announcement of the shortlist for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards. The sudden resignation of the Minister for the Arts a couple of months ago seems to have caused a delay in this announcement, which was expected in May. It's one of my favourite awards on the Australian … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2013 shortlist
Carrie Tiffany, Mateship with birds (Review)
Carrie Tiffany is on a roll. Last month her second novel, Mateship with birds, won the inaugural Stella Prize, and this month it won the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction at the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. It has also been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin award. Many bloggers* have already read and reviewed … Continue reading Carrie Tiffany, Mateship with birds (Review)
Michael Sala’s The last thread is 2013’s Pacific Region Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize
I don't know about you but I find blogging a challenge when I'm travelling, as I have been for much of May. I love my iPad for staying in touch, but I don't find it easy to write blog posts on it - either via the WordPress app or the browser. And, our old PC … Continue reading Michael Sala’s The last thread is 2013’s Pacific Region Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award shortlist and the woman question
Things have been looking up lately on the women writers front. Last year two women - Anna Funder (All that I am) and Gillian Mears (Foal's bread) - made an almost clean sweep of our major literary awards. This year women writers are again faring well, with the Miles Franklin shortlist comprising all women. The … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award shortlist and the woman question
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