Tony Birch wins the 2017 Patrick White Award

November 16, 2017 / Whispering Gums / 24 Comments

The Patrick White Award is one of Australia's very special literary awards, and one that I posted in detail about last year when Carmel Bird was the winner. It's special for a number of reasons. It is named for Patrick White who is, to date, Australia's only Nobel Laureate in Literature. But, as I wrote last year, … Continue reading Tony Birch wins the 2017 Patrick White Award

Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (Literary) Award

October 17, 2016October 29, 2016 / Whispering Gums / 33 Comments

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

MUBA and Patrick White awards for 2012 announced

November 21, 2012October 22, 2017 / Whispering Gums / 4 Comments

I don't make a practice of reporting on awards - many of the big ones get pretty good media coverage anyhow - but every now and then something catches my fancy ... and so here I am today ... Most Underrated Book Award Apologies to those of you waiting on the edge of your seats … Continue reading MUBA and Patrick White awards for 2012 announced

Elizabeth Harrower, The watch tower (Review)

June 22, 2012August 24, 2025 / Whispering Gums / 44 Comments

Cover for The watch tower (Courtesy: Text Publishing) Elizabeth Harrower's fourth and final novel, The watch tower, is a rather harrowing (couldn't resist that) read. It is also an astonishing read, and I wonder why it has had such little recognition over the decades or so since its publication in 1966. Thanks to Text Classics, … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, The watch tower (Review)