Broadly speaking, Singaporean author Balli Kaur Jaswal's third novel, Erotic stories for Punjabi widows, reminds me of Anita Heiss' choclit books like Paris dreaming (my review). By this I mean it presents as an escapist romcom genre novel but within it is some serious intent. In this case it relates to the oppression of women, … Continue reading Balli Kaur Jaswal, Erotic stories for Punjabi widows (#BookReview)
21st century literature
Carol Lefevre, Murmurations (#BookReview)
Murmurations is a beautiful, evocative word, and Carol Lefevre's latest book, titled Murmurations, does beautiful, thoughtful justice to it. It is though an unusual book. Styled by its author as a novella, it reads on the surface like a collection of short stories, except that the stories are not only connected by the various characters … Continue reading Carol Lefevre, Murmurations (#BookReview)
Emuna Elon, House on endless waters (#BookReview)
I've said before that I'm surprised by how many takes there can be on World War II, and on the Holocaust, in particular - and once again I'm here with another such story, Emuna Elon's House on endless waters. I hadn't heard of Elon before but, according to Wikipedia, she's an Israeli author, journalist, and women's rights … Continue reading Emuna Elon, House on endless waters (#BookReview)
Karen Jennings, Upturned earth (#BookReview)
Introducing my review of South African writer Karen Jennings' debut novel, Finding Soutbek, I noted that I don't normally accept review copies from non-Australian publishers but that I will, very occasionally, make an exception if the writer or subject matter interests me. Upturned earth, Jenning's fifth book, is set in a nineteenth century mining town. Given … Continue reading Karen Jennings, Upturned earth (#BookReview)
Griffith Review 68: Getting on (#BookReview)
I love reading the Griffith Review, though have mostly only reviewed individual articles on this blog. It's a meaty quarterly, with each edition being devoted to a particular theme. Edition 68's theme, Getting on, seemed apposite for my reading group and so was our August selection. Although it was confronting at times, it was a … Continue reading Griffith Review 68: Getting on (#BookReview)
Desley Deacon, Judith Anderson: Australian star, First Lady of the American stage (#BookReview)
When historian Desley Deacon offered me her biography of Dame Judith Anderson for review, I was a little reticent because my review copies were getting out of hand. Little did I know then what was in store for me, and just how much more behind I would become. However, finally, its turn came, and here … Continue reading Desley Deacon, Judith Anderson: Australian star, First Lady of the American stage (#BookReview)
Emily Paull, Well-behaved women (#BookReview)
Well-behaved women is a debut collection of short stories by Western Australian writer Emily Paull. It is one of those collections that has a unique title, and what a perfect - and teasing - title it is for a collection of stories focused on women. It has, you won't be surprised to hear, the usual … Continue reading Emily Paull, Well-behaved women (#BookReview)
Chris Flynn, Mammoth (#BookReview)
I am not a big fan of anthropomorphism and have read very few animal-narrated books. Animal farm is one, while Watership down, so enamoured by many of my generation, is not. However, I was intrigued by Chris Flynn's Mammoth, which is narrated by a 13,000-year-old American Mastodon fossil, and was glad when my reading group decided … Continue reading Chris Flynn, Mammoth (#BookReview)
Archie Roach, Tell me why: The story of my life and my music (#BookReview)
Good things come to those who wait! At least, I hope so, because Lisa has had to wait a long time for a review from me for this year's Indigenous Literature Week. Finally, though, I finished the main book I chose for this year's challenge, Archie Roach's memoir, Tell me why: The story of my life … Continue reading Archie Roach, Tell me why: The story of my life and my music (#BookReview)
Helen Garner, Yellow notebook: Diaries, Volume 1, 1978-1987 (#BookReview)
The opening session of last November's inaugural Broadside Festival featured Helen Garner in conversation with Sarah Krasnostein about her recently published Yellow notebook, the first volume of her edited diaries. It was an excellent, intelligent conversation. Garner came across as the forthright writer she is, one who fearlessly exposes difficult and unpleasant things, alongside joys and triumphs. … Continue reading Helen Garner, Yellow notebook: Diaries, Volume 1, 1978-1987 (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 