Book cover (Courtesy: Text Publishing) Do you read introductions to novels? And, if you do, do you read them before or after you read the novel itself? I read them, but always afterwards because I like to come to novels as objectively as I can. And so, this is what I did with Herz Bergner's … Continue reading Herz Bergner, Between sky and sea
20th century literature
Shirley Jackson, Charles
Before I start this review, I have a technical question. Does anyone know why advice to bloggers about maximising your site always say not to use something like "here" for a hyperlink but, rather, to add the link to the actual name of what is being linked to? In other words, to make the link … Continue reading Shirley Jackson, Charles
Edward Field, WWII (Poem)
Well, Library of America has surprised again. This week it is a poem (6 pages). I wasn't expecting that, but as I like to delve into poetry every now and then I was rather pleased. The poem, "WWII" by Edward Field, was first published in 1967 in a collection titled Poets of World War II. … Continue reading Edward Field, WWII (Poem)
Nathanael West, Business deal
This week's Library of America offering was (or "is" since it's still this week, but "was" cos I've read it - all this tense stuff can be so bothering!) Nathanael West's Business deal. It's short, and I'd just finished my novel for bookgroup, so I decided to read it. I don't know much about Nathanael … Continue reading Nathanael West, Business deal
Thea Astley, The multiple effects of rain shadow (Review)
There are two main reasons why I like - actually love - to read Thea Astley. One is her language, her wonderful way with words that may, at times, be over-the-top but that is never clichéd. The other is her passion for the underdog, and thus for social justice in a world where it is … Continue reading Thea Astley, The multiple effects of rain shadow (Review)
James Thurber, The lady on the bookcase
If you like to think of yourself as a critic, read this. It is last week's offering from the Library of America, and is an essay by James Thurber titled "The lady on the bookcase"; it was first published in The New York Times Magazine in 1945 under the title "Thurber as seen by Thurber". … Continue reading James Thurber, The lady on the bookcase
Alan Bennett, The lady in the van
It is a truism that truth is stranger than fiction, and Alan Bennett's The lady in the van is one work that proves it. It is strange - and wonderful - that a woman could have lived the way the eponymous lady did for as long as she did, and it is equally strange - … Continue reading Alan Bennett, The lady in the van
Jack London, War
What do I know about Jack London? Not much really, except that he wrote adventure stories like Call of the wild and White fang, and, intriguingly, a study of London slums, People of the abyss. So, when this week's Library of America story was "War" (1911) by Jack London, I decided to read it. You can read it … Continue reading Jack London, War
Sawako Ariyoshi, The doctor’s wife
The doctor's wife is the third Ariyoshi novel that I've read. The other two - The River Ki and The twilight years - I read well over a decade ago. According to Wikipedia The doctor's wife is considered her best novel. All, though, are fascinating reads providing an insight into a culture which is so different … Continue reading Sawako Ariyoshi, The doctor’s wife
Jorge Amado, Gabriela, clove and cinnamon
How could you resist reading a book with a title like this? I don't manage to read all the books scheduled for the various bookgroups I belong to, but when this one came up I decided it was a must - because it was by a non-Anglo writer and one I hadn't read before, and … Continue reading Jorge Amado, Gabriela, clove and cinnamon
Whispering Gums 