Just one round of Meanjin's tournament of books to go ... after this one, that is. The Zombie round comprises the winners of Semifinals 1 and 2 being pitted against the books returned to the fray by reader vote in the Zombie poll (on which I reported at the end of the Semifinals post). Zombie Round … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2011, Zombie Rounds
Women writers
Alice Pung, Her father’s daughter
Her father's daughter (2011) is Alice Pung's second memoir - if you can quite call this book a memoir. Unpolished gem (2006), her first, established Pung in the eyes of both critics and readers as a writer to watch. I agreed with them, but with some minor reservations. She certainly demonstrated the ability to write and … Continue reading Alice Pung, Her father’s daughter
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2011, Semi-finals
So now we are getting to the business end of Meanjin's tournament of books ... and it's getting exciting. Since I've been posting a little more frequently lately, I'll keep this one short and, hopefully, sweet ... after all, there's still more to come. Semifinal 1: Joan London's Gilgamesh defeated Kate Grenville's The secret river … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2011, Semi-finals
Kyung-Sook Shin, Please look after mother (Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize 2011)
Two of the Man Asian Literary Prize team have cheated! They read and reviewed Please Look After Mother by Kyung-Sook Shin before our team was formed, and are showing me up big-time. I bear no grudge though and happily point you to their reviews. We are, as they say, on our way! Matt's review at … Continue reading Kyung-Sook Shin, Please look after mother (Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize 2011)
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2011, Round 2
For those interested in the continuing story of Meanjin's Tournament of Books, which I introduced in late October, Round 2 has now been played. Here are the results ... with a little additional commentary by me. Match 1, Joan London's Gilgamesh defeated Helen Garner's The children's Bach Oh, such a hard one. I feel for judge Michaela McGuire, a self-0uted Helen … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2011, Round 2
Monday musings on Australian literature: Christina Stead
I have mentioned Christina Stead several times on this blog - and yet she remains the guilty gap in my reading. I thought 2011 would be Stead year, but things have conspired to restrain the rate of my reading this year. Maybe 2012! I have also written several posts inspired by articles in The ABC Weekly, and I'm returning to this paper … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Christina Stead
Monday musings on Australian literature: Meanjin’s Tournament of Books
Many Monday musings ago I wrote about the reduced visibility of women writers in Australia. I wasn't the only one concerned and things have been afoot to up the ante for women writers. For example, a new award targeting women writers, the Stella Prize, was announced earlier this year. And now Meanjin, a longstanding literary … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Meanjin’s Tournament of Books
Nora Krouk, Warming the core of things
life wrapped in bundles of painful joy (from "Skies will be luminous") The reason I like to read poetry is the obvious one - the way poets can capture a feeling or idea in just a few carefully chosen words that are presented through a controlled rhythm. Nora Krouk fills this bill nicely! I hadn't … Continue reading Nora Krouk, Warming the core of things
Monday musings on Australian literature: Ada Cambridge
It's time, methinks, for another Monday Musings post highlighting a specific writer - and this time I've chosen Ada Cambridge. I discovered Cambridge back in the late 1980s when there was a resurgence (in Australia anyhow) in recognition of women writers. What was great about this resurgence was that it not only saw increased publication of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ada Cambridge
Irma Gold, Two steps forward
Irma Gold's* Two steps forward is, apparently, the last release in Affirm Press's Long Story Short series. I have reviewed two others previously - Gretchen Shirm's Having cried wolf and Leah Swann's Bearings - but, before talking about this book, I must say how much I love the books themselves. I am starting to read eBooks. I … Continue reading Irma Gold, Two steps forward
Whispering Gums 