Granted, my fiction contains more than its share of invention, but when I'm not writing fiction I don't go out of my way to make up meaningless stories. (from "Chance traveller", 2005) This is as good a way as any to commence my review of Haruki Murakami’s recent short story collection, Blind willow, sleeping woman, … Continue reading Haruki Murakami, Blind willow, sleeping woman
21st century literature
Eva Hornung, Dog boy
I first read Eva Hornung when she was writing as Eva Sallis. It was her second novel The city of sealions, which is a pretty passionate and evocatively written exploration of cultural alienation and dislocation brought about primarily by migration. In some ways Dog boy explores similar concerns, but its alienation is played out in a … Continue reading Eva Hornung, Dog boy
Jeffrey Eugenides, Extreme solitude
I've only read one work by Jeffrey Eugenides, and that was his grand saga of an immigrant family in America, Middlesex. I enjoyed its sweep and the insight it provided into the social history of twentieth century America from an immigrant point of view, and I liked the way he mixed light and dark in … Continue reading Jeffrey Eugenides, Extreme solitude
Peter Temple’s Miles Franklin win, Ruckus
Peter Temple's winning this year's Miles Franklin award* with his crime novel Truth has caused a bit of a ruckus - and, consequently, there's been some interesting discussion about it on various blogs. The discussion mainly concerns the implications of a so-called genre novel winning this traditionally "literary fiction" award, but there is also some discussion … Continue reading Peter Temple’s Miles Franklin win, Ruckus
Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
This is the second time I have read Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad. Much as I enjoyed it the first time around, I probably wouldn't have read it again if it hadn't been scheduled for one of my online bookgroups. However, given that scheduling and the fact that I had recently listened to Simon Armitage's dramatisation … Continue reading Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
Peter Temple’s Truth wins the 2010 Miles Franklin
So, the waiting is over and Peter Temple has won the 2010 Miles Franklin Award. I'm kicking myself that I haven't read it yet. I am not much of a crime-fiction reader - in fact I could probably count on one hand the crime novels I've read - but I did like his The broken … Continue reading Peter Temple’s Truth wins the 2010 Miles Franklin
Andrea Goldsmith, Reunion
Reunion bookcover (Courtesy: HarperCollins Australia) I wanted to love Andrea Goldsmith's Reunion. And I expected to, as I remember enjoying the last book of hers that I read. But, somehow, I found it a bit of chore to read, though it did pick up towards the end. I think I understand why it was not listed … Continue reading Andrea Goldsmith, Reunion
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2010
The literary awards season is well and truly here downunder ... and last night, just before the opening of this year's Sydney Writers Festival, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for 2010 were announced. The full list of winners can be found here, so I'll just name the critical ones, from my point of view (with links … Continue reading NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2010
Shaun Tan, Eric
When I bought Eric on a whim the other day (as you do!), I didn't realise that it had been excerpted from Shaun Tan's Tales from outer suburbia which I haven't yet read, but have given to others. That's okay though, because it means that I've finally read a little of Shaun Tan, something I've wanted to … Continue reading Shaun Tan, Eric
Alex Miller, Lovesong
Lovesong is my first Alex Miller novel, which is a bit embarrassing, really, given that he has won the Miles Franklin Award twice. John was the quiet type ... Except when he was telling me his story. Even then there was something quiet and private in the way he spoke about himself and Sabiha; as … Continue reading Alex Miller, Lovesong
Whispering Gums 