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
Review – Non-fiction
Richard Allen and Kimbal Baker, Australia’s remarkable trees
It's odd, don't you think, that a poem by Thomas Hardy is used to introduce a book titled Australia's remarkable trees? The poem, "Throwing a tree", starts with a line that leaves you in no doubt as to the poet's sympathies: The two executioners stalk along over the knolls ... and concludes with the poignant, … Continue reading Richard Allen and Kimbal Baker, Australia’s remarkable trees
Leslie Geddes-Brown, Books do furnish a room
There was no resisting this book - Books do furnish a room - when I saw it on a table in the National Library of Australia's bookshop. It's rare for me to buy a coffee-table book but ... this is one gorgeous book. It is lavishly illustrated with images of books in pretty well every room … Continue reading Leslie Geddes-Brown, Books do furnish a room
Top non-fiction of 2009
Is it cheating to do separate lists for fiction and non-fiction? Some people list their top books regardless of form or genre, while others created separate lists. I'm going to do the latter because - well, because I get to choose more books for a start. Actually, I didn't read a lot of non-fiction this … Continue reading Top non-fiction of 2009
Jennifer Forest, Jane Austen’s sewing box
...and so the current Jane Austen juggernaut rolls on. The latest that has come to my attention is Canberra writer Jennifer Forest's book Jane Austen's sewing box. Must admit that I was a little sceptical when I first heard of it, but I saw it, bought it, and was pretty impressed. It's a nicely produced book … Continue reading Jennifer Forest, Jane Austen’s sewing box
Whispering Gums 