"Writing a war story" is quite different to the Edith Whartons I've read to date, and it was clear from the opening sentence - "Miss Ivy Spang of Cornwall-on-Hudson had published a little volume of verse before the war". It was the comic tone that did it. All the previous works of hers I've read, several novels and … Continue reading Edith Wharton, Writing a war story (Review)
20th century literature
Anna Rosner Blay, Sister, sister (Review)
Some of the most vivid memories of my Sydney-based late teens and early twenties relate to spending time with Jewish people, business friends of my father. We went to parties in their homes, to weddings and bar mitzvahs. These were always happy, family-oriented occasions. I had crushes on the sons. I knew that most of these people had come … Continue reading Anna Rosner Blay, Sister, sister (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Dystopian fiction
For some reason, I'm often drawn to dystopian fiction. In my younger days I read Nevil Shute's On the beach (probably my first book of this ilk) and then, of course, George Orwell's 1984, Aldous Huxley's A brave new world, moving later on to books like Margaret Atwood's A handmaid's tale and Cormac McCarthy's The road, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Dystopian fiction
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
Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart (Review)
At last I've read that classic of African literature, China Achebe's Things fall apart. It all came about because this year ABC RN's classics book club is doing Africa. As I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and as my reading group has been making a practice of choosing one ABC … Continue reading Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart (Review)
Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)
There's something about Elizabeth Harrower. I've just read her Stella Prize shortlisted short story collection A few days in the country, and other stories - and wow! Really, just wow! If you're a regular reader here, you've probably noticed that I'm not one to effuse excessively about books, anymore than I'm one to pan them. I'm … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, A few days in the country, and other stories (Review)
Elizabeth Harrower, In certain circles (Review)
There's an interesting story behind Elizabeth Harrower's last novel, In certain circles. It was all set for publication in 1971, following her very successful The watch tower (my review), when Harrower pulled it. Why? I wondered about this as I read it, and I have some ideas, but more on that anon. First, the story. … Continue reading Elizabeth Harrower, In certain circles (Review)
Annie Dillard, The Maytrees (Review)
I am not, as I wrote in my recent post on Emma Ayres' memoir Cadence, a big "reader" of audiobooks. In fact, until Cadence, I hadn't listened to one for a few years. However, we do have a few here that we had given Mr Gums' mother as her sight started to fail and which … Continue reading Annie Dillard, The Maytrees (Review)
School friend annual 1964
The things you find when you start to declutter! School friend annual 1964 is a blast from my very distant past. Yes, I know, some of you weren't born then, but I can't resist sharing the sort of books produced for young girls in the olden days! I loved receiving annuals and anthologies, books in my … Continue reading School friend annual 1964
Monday musings on Australian literature: June Wright, Crime novelist
Regular readers here may be surprised to see this subject for a Monday Musings given I'm not known as a crime aficionado, but never let it be said that I'm not open-minded. I came across June Wright last year in my role as convener of the Literary and Classics area of the Australian Women Writers Challenge, and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: June Wright, Crime novelist
Whispering Gums 