If you like writers who unsettle, then MJ Hyland is a writer for you. Carry me down is my second Hyland. I read, loved and reviewed a later book of hers, This is how, nearly a year ago, and said then that I'd like to read more. I finally have, and am not disappointed. Carry … Continue reading MJ Hyland, Carry me down
21st century literature
Helen Garner, Postcards from Surfers
Helen Garner is a fiercely honest writer - and a prolific one too. She has written novels, short stories, essays and non-fiction books. All are generally well-acclaimed, though not always without controversy (as I mentioned in my recent Monday musings). Certainly, I haven't always agreed with her ... but I do admire her honesty and … Continue reading Helen Garner, Postcards from Surfers
Jay Griffiths, A love letter from a stray moon
I have always wanted wings. To fly where I belong, to become who I am, to speak my truths winged and moon-swayed. I'm not sure I can do justice to this poetic, passionate novella by Jay Griffiths. Titled A love letter from a stray moon, it's a first person outpouring in the voice of Mexican … Continue reading Jay Griffiths, A love letter from a stray moon
Alan Gould, The lakewoman: A romance
I'm a little embarrassed to say that until The lakewoman was shortlisted in the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards, I only knew of Alan Gould as a poet. Turns out, though, that he has written several novels, of which this one is his most recent. It is, ostensibly, a war novel, in that much of it is set … Continue reading Alan Gould, The lakewoman: A romance
Joyce Carol Oates, Beasts
Creative Commons licensed image by San Mateo County Library via Flickr If we wanted to be writers we must examine the world with fresh, sceptical eyes. Beasts is, I'm ashamed to say, my first Joyce Carol Oates. She's one of those writers who has kept crossing my path but whom I've never quite got to … Continue reading Joyce Carol Oates, Beasts
Leah Swann, Bearings
When I read a collection of short stories, I look to see whether there is an overriding theme. It's not essential that there be one, of course, but it can add to the satisfaction, if only because looking for a theme forces me to think a little more about what I've been reading. Well, I … Continue reading Leah Swann, Bearings
Lloyd Jones, Hand me down world
I used to find myself saying, I can't imagine. But, I've since found out, you can - it's just a case of wanting to. What this character is talking about is empathy - and empathy, the having or not having it, is for me a major theme of New Zealand writer Lloyd Jones' latest novel, … Continue reading Lloyd Jones, Hand me down world
Geoff Dyer, Jeff in Venice, death in Varanasi
What, a few moments earlier, had seemed such a persuasive notion - that ridiculousness might be the animating principle of life - seemed, in the face of this more pedestrian idea of progress, abruptly ... ridiculous. No sooner had I thought this, than I'd suddenly had enough of walking. ("Death in Varanasi") Hmm ... what … Continue reading Geoff Dyer, Jeff in Venice, death in Varanasi
David Foster Wallace, All that
I have not yet read anything by David Foster Wallace and so when I came across his short story*, "All that", in The New Yorker, I jumped at the chance of an introduction. It has a first person narrator, who is looking back on his childhood and recalling, in particular, his fascination with magic and … Continue reading David Foster Wallace, All that
Marie Munkara, Every secret thing
They all nodded, not knowing what the hell curry* was but getting gist of the story all the same. Marie Munkara leads us a merry dance with Every secret thing, her first book, which won the David Unaipon Award for an unpublished Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer. What exactly is this "thing" she presents … Continue reading Marie Munkara, Every secret thing
Whispering Gums 