This will be the fifth in my occasional "Let's get physical" series, and I've chosen Adelaide because this week I'm spending a few days in this city, the state capital of South Australia, bookending a trip to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Adelaide, which was proclaimed as a British colony in 1836, is located in the country of the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Adelaide
Jane Jose, Places women make (Review)
"Places", Jane Jose writes in her book Places women make, "can lift our spirits and be inclusive, and add surprise, excitement, wonder or some beauty to day-to-day life in the city." These sorts of places, which are essential to making our cities liveable, rarely just happen. They take planning, and who does this planning? Men. At … Continue reading Jane Jose, Places women make (Review)
The Griffyns are mummified
Those Griffyns, if you haven't realised it from my previous posts, are a brave and versatile bunch. Their latest outing, the Ear of the Cat, was inspired by musical director Michael Sollis' residency in Egypt last year. Performed last weekend, it was the ensemble's first real concert of the year and was included - a first for them I … Continue reading The Griffyns are mummified
Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Another treasure from Trove! Just over 50 years ago, on 1 January, 1965, an article appeared in a journal titled The Good Neighbour, which was published from 1950 to 1969 by the then Department of Immigration. The article is called "Ideal books for newcomers" and opens with: Following Mary Durack's articles on "The Old Australia" which appeared … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Frederick Law Olmsted, Trees in streets and in parks (Review)
I last came across the American landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, a few years ago when I was doing some freelance research for a Canberra 2013 centenary project. This was because Olmsted, who designed New York's Central Park with Calvert Vaux, inspired Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin, the original designers of Canberra. Now, it just … Continue reading Frederick Law Olmsted, Trees in streets and in parks (Review)
Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart (Review)
At last I've read that classic of African literature, China Achebe's Things fall apart. It all came about because this year ABC RN's classics book club is doing Africa. As I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and as my reading group has been making a practice of choosing one ABC … Continue reading Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Three weeks ago, I published a post on the first decade of the Miles Franklin Award. That seemed to interest some of my readers, so I'm back again with the next decade. I hope it's equally interesting. Again, I won't be describing all the decade's winners. You can check the Award's official site to see a complete list of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Sarah Kanake and Down syndrome in literature
In the media release accompanying my copy of Sarah Kanake's Sing fox to me (my review), we are told not only that Kanake's brother has Down syndrome but that she has a PhD in creative writing from the Queensland University of Technology "on the representations of Down syndrome in Australian literature". As far as I know her … Continue reading Sarah Kanake and Down syndrome in literature
Sarah Kanake, Sing fox to me (Review)
Back in late 2011, I wrote a Monday Musings post on 19th century Australian Gothic. I've always intended to post more on the topic, including one on Tasmanian Gothic. Well, here's a start, because Sarah Kanake's debut novel, Sing fox to me, is a good example of modern Tasmanian Gothic. I wrote in my first post that … Continue reading Sarah Kanake, Sing fox to me (Review)
Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Just a short post for those of you who read my Stella Prize longlist and shortlist posts and haven't heard the news - which would primarily be you readers from lands other than mine! The winner was not a surprise, as you may know if you read my response to BookerTalk's question on my shortlist post. It's … Continue reading Stella Prize 2016 Winner Announced
Whispering Gums 