As I have done for some previous "year" reading weeks*, I decided for 1940 to read a short story by an Australian author. After a bit of searching I settled on Myra Morris, and her story "Inspiration", because ... let me explain. My last two Australian contributions for these reading weeks were works by men … Continue reading Myra Morris, The inspiration (#Review, #1940 Club)
Literature by period
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1940 in fiction
As many of you know by now, Karen (Kaggsy's Bookish Rambling) and Simon (Stuck in a Book) run "reading weeks" in which they nominate a year from which "everyone reads, enjoys, posts and shares wonderful books and discoveries from the year in question". The current year is 1940, and it runs from today, 10-16 April. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1940 in fiction
Robert Drewe, Nimblefoot (#BookReview)
Nimblefoot is Robert Drewe's eight novel, but is the first of his that my reading group has done. Drewe is a prolific and versatile writer, having written memoir and other nonfiction, as well as short stories and novels, both. contemporary-set and historical. In other words, he is not easy to compartmentalise. He has appeared before … Continue reading Robert Drewe, Nimblefoot (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 5, Novels and their subjects
On the basis that what novelists write about provides some sort of insight into their times, I've done a little survey of the books published by Australian writers in 1923 to see what their subject matter might tell us about Australian life and literature 100 years ago. First, here are the books I found, mostly … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1923: 5, Novels and their subjects
Stella Prize 2023 Shortlist announced
It says something about my discombobulated year that I didn’t post on the Stella Prize longlist. And then, I was packing for Melbourne this morning while I listened to the shortlist announcement on ABC RN Breakfast. (Something new I think for Stella.) I didn't have time to stop and write my post, then, but here … Continue reading Stella Prize 2023 Shortlist announced
Eleanor Limprecht, The Coast (#BookReview)
I love to read Author's Notes, Afterwords, or whatever they are called, at the end of novels, and particularly so when the novel is historical fiction. This is because these notes will often explain the author's thought process, the line they have drawn between fiction and fact, the sources used, the level and type of … Continue reading Eleanor Limprecht, The Coast (#BookReview)
John M. Oskison, The singing bird (#Review)
From Zitkala-Ša's 1901-published "The soft-hearted Sioux", Great short stories by contemporary Native American writers jumps a quarter of a century to 1925, and John M. Oskison's "The singing bird". John M. Oskison Again, anthology editor Bob Blaisdell provides a brief intro to the author, but it's Wikipedia that is able to provide more detail. John … Continue reading John M. Oskison, The singing bird (#Review)
Zitkala-Sa, The soft-hearted Sioux (#Review)
Zitkala-Ša's "The soft-hearted Sioux" is the second story in the anthology, Great short stories by contemporary Native American writers, sent to me by my American friend. I posted on the first one, Pauline Johnson's "A red girl's reasoning", a couple of weeks ago. Zitkala-Ša As he does for all the stories, anthology editor Bob Blaisdell … Continue reading Zitkala-Sa, The soft-hearted Sioux (#Review)
Robbie Arnott, Limberlost (#BookReview)
Where should I start my discussion of Robbie Arnott's third novel, Limberlost? Perhaps with the epigraph. It's by Gene Stratton Porter, and says, "In the economy of Nature, nothing is ever lost". I have posted on Porter - on her essay, "The last Passenger Pigeon". She was, says Wikipedia, an author, nature photographer, naturalist and … Continue reading Robbie Arnott, Limberlost (#BookReview)
Pauline Johnson, A red girl’s reasoning (#Review)
As some of you know, I have a close American friend, Carolyn, with whom I correspond weekly. We met in the early 1990s when I was living in California. During that time we started a reading group, so you won't be surprised that our correspondence always includes reference to what we are - or are … Continue reading Pauline Johnson, A red girl’s reasoning (#Review)
Whispering Gums 