There's something about novellas, about the way they can combine the tautness of the short story with the character development of a novel, and then hone in on an idea, undistracted by side-stories. This, in any case, is what Adelaide-writer Wendy Scarfe achieves in her book, The day they shot Edward. Like her previous novel, … Continue reading Wendy Scarfe, The day they shot Edward (#BookReview)
Miles Franklin Award 2018 Longlist
I didn't post the Miles Franklin Award Longlist last year, but I'm intrigued by this year's list so am sharing it with you - though I'm sure most Aussie readers will have seen it already. Here is the list: Peter Carey's The long way home (Penguin Random House) (on my TBR, but Lisa has reviewed) Felicity … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2018 Longlist
Monday musings on Australian literature: Blaming the Americans
Rummaging through my little folder of papers and ideas for Monday Musings posts, I found a 2014 article from The Conversation titled "The Americans are destroying the English language - or are they?" If you are a non-American English-speaker you probably know exactly what this is about, because we non-American English-speakers love to get on … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Blaming the Americans
World Bee Day 2018 – and literature
Apparently today, May 20, is World Bee Day! Who knew? Not me, until this morning. I understand it was designated last December by the United Nations, on the recommendation of Slovenia. Given the rise of cli-fi literature and the importance of bees to our planet, I've decided to give a little shout out to our … Continue reading World Bee Day 2018 – and literature
Eleanor Limprecht, The passengers (#BookReview)
The passengers is Eleanor Limprecht's third novel, but the second I've read, that being Long Bay (my review) based on the life of early twentieth century abortionist Rebecca Sinclair. The passengers is also a work of historical fiction, though not specifically based on one person's experience. Instead, it's about the Australian war brides who married … Continue reading Eleanor Limprecht, The passengers (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie “up lit”
Hands up if you've heard of a new genre (or literary trend is perhaps more accurate) called "up lit"? I hadn't, until I read a post recently on Kate's (booksaremyfavouriteandbest) blog. She pointed to an article about it at The Guardian. The writer, Danuta Kean, says: In contrast with the “grip lit” thrillers that were … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie “up lit”
Nick Earls, NoHo (#BookReview)
Nick Earls is a Queensland-based writer known mostly for humorous fiction about contemporary life. While I'd heard of him, I hadn't read any of his work when I attended a session involving him at the 2016 Canberra Writers Festival. The session was titled "Modern Masculinity" (my report). Earls was there because of the recent publication of … Continue reading Nick Earls, NoHo (#BookReview)
Sarah Krasnostein, The trauma cleaner (#BookReview)
I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't planned to read Sarah Krasnostein's biography The trauma cleaner. I feared it might be one of those sensationalised, voyeuristic stories, but how wrong I was. I thank Brother Gums and partner for this great birthday gift. I was wrong because ... no, let me start with why I thought … Continue reading Sarah Krasnostein, The trauma cleaner (#BookReview)
Sydney Writers Festival 2018, Live streaming (Session 3)
My final live-streamed session of the Festival was even more interesting than I expected. My friend and I chose it partly because it fit our respective busy time-tables, but partly also because, as people interested in language and literature, we are interested in translation. Emily Wilson: Translating the Odyssey, Sunday May 6, 4.30pm This event … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival 2018, Live streaming (Session 3)
Monday musings on Australian literature: My reading group does Garner
You are never too old to try something new - and so it was that my 30-year-old reading group tried something new for our April meeting. The idea was that we would all read Garner, but our individual choice of Garner. We've discussed five Garners over the years, and many had read other Garners besides … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: My reading group does Garner
Whispering Gums 