Reading synchronicities strike again. Both my last read, John Clanchy's Sisters, and this one, Charlie Archbold's Mallee boys, are family stories with a guilt about the death of a family member at their centre. Both, too, are set in non-urban areas, Clanchy's in coastal New South Wales and Archbold's in the dry Mallee region of … Continue reading Charlie Archbold, Mallee boys (#BookReview)
Women writers
Stella Prize 2018 Winner – and how the Stella is tracking (pun alert!)
I don't always write announcement posts here - even when I write short and or longlist posts, because the news is usually so immediately known. What can I add? However, I've decided to post on last night's Stella Prize announcement for a couple of reasons, one being the significance of the winner and the other … Continue reading Stella Prize 2018 Winner – and how the Stella is tracking (pun alert!)
Claire G. Coleman, Terra nullius (#BookReview)
Claire G. Coleman's debut novel, Terra nullius, was my reading group's third book for this year. The first two - An unnecessary woman (my review) and The sympathizer (my review) were well liked - but not so Coleman's book. In fact that I was the only one who liked it. So, instead of my usual review, … Continue reading Claire G. Coleman, Terra nullius (#BookReview)
Mirandi Riwoe, The fish girl (#BookReview)
Mirandi Riwoe was joint-winner of the 2017 Seizure Viva La Novella prize with her book, The fish girl - and it has now been shortlisted for this year's Stella Prize. As you may already know, it was inspired by Somerset Maugham's short story "The four Dutchmen", which I reviewed a few days ago. Indeed, Maugham's story … Continue reading Mirandi Riwoe, The fish girl (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Mollie Skinner and DH Lawrence
I promised this post in yesterday's review of Mollie Skinner's short story, "The hand", but have since been reminded that Bill (The Australian Legend) has already written about Skinner's relationship with Lawrence. I've decided to continue with my plan, not only because it interests me, but because I hope to add to the discussion. So, I suggest that you … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Mollie Skinner and DH Lawrence
M.L. (Mollie) Skinner, The hand (#Review)
Pam of Travellin' Penguin blog read ML Skinner's short story "The hand" for a challenge she was doing, and, when I expressed interest in it, very kindly sent me a copy. "The hand" is a mysterious little story - and by little, I mean, little in that it takes up less than 7 pages of the anthology, … Continue reading M.L. (Mollie) Skinner, The hand (#Review)
Sofie Laguna, The choke (#BookReview)
There are many reasons why I wanted to read Sofie Laguna's latest book The choke. Firstly, I was inspired by a very engaging author conversation I attended late last year. Secondly, she won the Miles Franklin with her previous book The eye of the sheep (which I still haven't read). Thirdly, its setting, the Murray River, is … Continue reading Sofie Laguna, The choke (#BookReview)
Stella Prize 2018 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 8 February (my post), and the shortlist was announced, yesterday, International Women's Day, as has, appropriately, become tradition. Here … Continue reading Stella Prize 2018 Shortlist announced
Carmel Bird, The dead aviatrix: Eight short stories (#BookReview)
Carmel Bird, whose latest short story collection, The dead aviatrix: Eight short stories, I'm reviewing here, has to be the consummate writer. She can turn her hand to fiction and nonfiction, to short and long form writing, to formal and more informal voices, and to both serious and witty or satiric tones. She's also an … Continue reading Carmel Bird, The dead aviatrix: Eight short stories (#BookReview)
Diana Blackwood, Chaconne (#BookReview)
Does a book set in the early 1980s qualify as historical fiction? Does a book about a twenty-something woman's romantic adventures, and search for direction, qualify as coming-of-age? The answer is probably yes to both. Certainly, it is within these parameters that it's appropriate to discuss Diana Blackwood's debut novel Chaconne. Chaconne, as you can … Continue reading Diana Blackwood, Chaconne (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 