Kin: An extraordinary filmmaking family is the second tribute book I've reviewed in Wakefield Press's Don Dunstan Award series. The first, Margaret & David: 5 stars, was also edited by Amanda Duthie. Like that book, Kin contains short reflections and essays on the contribution made to Australia's film industry and culture by Freda Glynn, her children Erica … Continue reading Amanda Duthie (ed.), Kin: An extraordinary filmmaking family (#BookReview)
Women writers
Janet Lee, The killing of Louisa (#BookReview)
I started reading Janet Lee's historical fiction The killing of Louisa straight after reading Amor Towles' A gentleman in Moscow (my review), which is also a work of historical fiction. They couldn't be more different. Not only is one about a real historical figure in late 19th century Australia, while the other is about a … Continue reading Janet Lee, The killing of Louisa (#BookReview)
Vicki Laveau-Harvie, The erratics (#BookReview)
Truth is that, while I like to read at least some of the Stella Prize shortlist, I didn't have Vicki Laveau-Harvie's memoir, The erratics, on my high priority list, though the more I heard about it, the more intrigued I became. However, it was winning the prize that tipped it over into my must-read category. What … Continue reading Vicki Laveau-Harvie, The erratics (#BookReview)
Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
The Stella Prize winner was announced tonight while I was at yoga so I had to wait, impatiently - oops, no, it was yoga, so I was very calm thanks to my wonderful neighbour and teacher - until I got home, to discover the winner. I only managed to read three of the six, which … Continue reading Stella Prize 2019 Winner announced
Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
The orchardist's daughter is local author Karen Viggers' fourth novel, but the first that I've read. She has, however, appeared on my blog before, being the person who conversed with Sofie Laguna about her novel, The choke. It was one of the most entertaining conversations I've ever attended. Now, if you haven't read or heard of … Continue reading Karen Viggers, The orchardist’s daughter (#BookReview)
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Once again I have reason to start a book post with a discussion of the title, this time Marilynne Robinson's 2005 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Gilead. Gilead, in the context of this novel, has a literal and metaphorical meaning, literal because it takes place in the fictional Iowan town of Gilead, and metaphorical because "gilead" … Continue reading Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (#BookReview)
Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Melissa Lucashenko's title for her latest novel Too much lip conveys a lot about what she is trying to do here. Superficially, the title refers to protagonist Kerry's refusal (or inability) "to swallow her opinions", but there are layers to the title which reflect the layers in the novel. Kerry is female and Indigenous, and … Continue reading Melissa Lucashenko, Too much lip (#BookReview)
Us Mob Writing, Too deadly (#BookReview)
Too deadly is an anthology of writings by the Canberra-based writing group Us Mob Writing. Comprising Australian First Nations writers, this group was formed in the late 1990s and is, apparently, one of our capital's longest running writers' groups. I saw advertising for the book's launch back in late 2017, but was unable to attend. I … Continue reading Us Mob Writing, Too deadly (#BookReview)
Michelle Arrow in conversation with Frank Bongiorno
A few days ago, Mr Gums and I attended another ANU/The Canberra Times Meet the Author event, this one featuring Australian historian Michelle Arrow in conversation with Australian historian Frank Bongiorno. It was an especially interesting pairing because Arrow's book, which she is currently touring, is titled The seventies: The personal, the political and the … Continue reading Michelle Arrow in conversation with Frank Bongiorno
Stella Prize 2019 Shortlist announced
As you probably know, the Stella Prize is the award I particularly like to follow, though I don't always post on the Longlist and the Shortlist as I am this year. The Longlist was announced on 7 February (my post), and the shortlist was announced, today, International Women's Day, as has, appropriately, become tradition. Here … Continue reading Stella Prize 2019 Shortlist announced
Whispering Gums 