Continuing last week's 1965 theme, this post discusses two articles on two Aussie writers who published books that year. I chose them because I think they are instructive examples of book reviewing. Thomas Keneally Thomas Keneally, born in 1935, is a prolific Australian author with a long (and still continuing) career. He was shortlisted for … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Two Aussie writers in 1965
Stan Grant in conversation with Mark Kenny
Who could resist a conversation involving Australian journalist, author and academic, Stan Grant? Not many, it seems, which is why this ANU/The Canberra Times conversation event was held in a bigger venue than usual, Llewellyn Hall, and just as well, because the audience was indeed bigger than usual. Such is the drawcard of Stan Grant … Continue reading Stan Grant in conversation with Mark Kenny
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)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary visitors in 1965
Last week's Monday musings surveyed Australian literature in 1965. As I researched that post in Trove, I came across some fascinating newspaper articles from the year, which I thought worth sharing in separate posts. I've divided them into two groups - one on overseas visitors (today's post) and the other local writers (next week's, probably!) … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary visitors in 1965
Ten Year Blogiversary Giveaway Winners
And so, as promised, I drew the two winners of my one year blogiverary giveaway yesterday, May 10, but I was out of town, so decided to way until I returned home to my proper computing facilities, to write the announcement post. There were 11 entries in the non-Australian draw and 16 in the Australian … Continue reading Ten Year Blogiversary Giveaway Winners
Amor Towles, A gentleman in Moscow (#BookReview)
American writer Amor Towles' third novel, the best-selling A gentleman in Moscow, generated a surprisingly lively discussion at my reading group last week, because beneath its engaging, accessible exterior are some puzzles. These puzzles relate primarily to Towles' intentions. What were they? Why did an American investment banker write an historical fiction novel about a Count in … Continue reading Amor Towles, A gentleman in Moscow (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1965 in fiction
1965 as a topic? What the?! Those familiar with the lit-blogosphere will probably guess what inspired this post, but for everyone else, I'll explain. Over the last week of April, bloggers Kaggsy (Kaggsy's Book Ramblings) and Simon (Stuck in a Book) ran a 1965 Reading Week, the latest in their series of reading weeks focusing … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1965 in fiction
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 3)
And now my final event from the Sydney Writers Festival live-streamed (#SWFLiveAndLocal).program at th National Library of Australia. "I do not want to see this in print", Sunday 5 May, 4.30pm Panel: Annabel Crabb (convenor), with Samantha Maiden, Sharri Markson, Niki Savva Australian journalist Annabel Crabb, as cheeky as ever, introduced the session as being one … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 3)
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 2)
I returned to the National Library of Australia today for two more live-streamed events from the Sydney Writers Festival (#SWFLiveAndLocal). As I did last year, I'll write each event up in separate posts, so here is the first of my Sunday events. Andrew Sean Greer: Less (Conversation), Sunday 5 May, 3.00pm Conversation: Andrew Sean Greer with … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 2)
Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 1)
As in 2018, selected Sydney Writers Festival events were live-streamed this year to 35 sites, including Canberra's National Library of Australia (#SWFLiveAndLocal). I had planned to attend most of Saturday's events, but then our annual day-trip to our friends' place in the country came up, and that's unmissable, so I only attended the last event … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2019, Live and Local (Session 1)
Whispering Gums 