Are there some historical periods that particularly fascinate you? There are for me, and one of those is that between the two world wars. It was a complex time encompassing both economic hardship and great social change. A time when many of those Victorian era constraints were being lifted and women, in particular, were starting to enjoy … Continue reading Dymphna Cusack, Jungfrau (Review)
Women writers
Aminatta Forna, The hired man (Review)
Early in Aminatta Forna's The hired man, the narrator Duro is told by his old, ex-best friend Krešimir, "People have moved on, Duro. Maybe you should too". At this point we are not sure exactly what they have moved on from but we guess it might have something to do with war - and as … Continue reading Aminatta Forna, The hired man (Review)
Jane Rawson, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (Review)
The weirdest thing happened when I put down Jane Rawson's debut novel, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists: I started imagining things! This is weird because I'm not a particularly imaginative or fanciful person, so it must have been this book that did it. Let me explain ... First though, I need to say that I've … Continue reading Jane Rawson, A wrong turn at the Office of Unmade Lists (Review)
Biff Ward, In my mother’s hands (Review)
"Profoundly moving", "a kind book", and "harrowing" could be blurb words for Biff Ward's memoir, In my mother's hands, but they're not. They are some of the words used by members of my reading group when we discussed the book this week with - lucky us - the author in attendance. It's quite coincidental that I happened to … Continue reading Biff Ward, In my mother’s hands (Review)
Jane Austen, Emma Vol 2 (continuing thoughts)
The friendship plot - that theme I discussed in my post on Volume 1 of Emma - thickens in Volume 2. Several "new" friendships are presented, as Austen continues to deepen our understanding of what constitutes community via the little village of Highbury. For Jane Austen, I think we are going to realise, friendship is both … Continue reading Jane Austen, Emma Vol 2 (continuing thoughts)
Jessica White, Entitlement (Review)
Entitlement is a powerful title for Australian author Jessica White's second novel, but then White wanted to explore some powerful themes - though they are, unfortunately, somewhat belied by the rural romance/saga looking cover. The author bio at the front of the book tells us that White grew up on a property in northwest New South Wales … Continue reading Jessica White, Entitlement (Review)
Stella Prize 2015 Shortlist
I rarely write longlist, shortlist and winner posts, but for the Stella Prize I don't mind making an exception. Last month, I posted on the longlist, and yesterday, the shortlist was announced. Maxine Beneba Clarke's Foreign Soil (Hachette): short story collection that I really must read, a debut book Emily Bitto's The Strays (Affirm Press): another debut … Continue reading Stella Prize 2015 Shortlist
Lynette Washington (ed), Breaking beauty (Review)
As I've said before, I usually don't read book introductions until the end. In the case of Breaking beauty, an anthology of short stories edited by Lynette Washington, it wouldn't have mattered if I had read it first because Brian Castro's intro gave nothing away while at the same time saying a lot. He starts by noting … Continue reading Lynette Washington (ed), Breaking beauty (Review)
Jane Austen, Emma Vol 1 (Review, or perhaps just thoughts)
Every now and then my local Jane Austen group does a slow read of one of Austen's novels. With 2015 being the 200th anniversary of the publication of Emma, we decided it was the logical choice for our next slow read. I love this activity because what happens when I re-read an Austen novel - particularly when I … Continue reading Jane Austen, Emma Vol 1 (Review, or perhaps just thoughts)
Fiona McFarlane, The night guest (Review)
Those of you who followed the literary award season in Australia last year will have seen Fiona McFarlane's debut novel The night guest pop up several times. The more it popped up, the more I wanted to read it - but also the more I thought it would be good to read with my reading … Continue reading Fiona McFarlane, The night guest (Review)
Whispering Gums 