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)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pitch days
When I was researching last Monday's post on development programs for writers, I came across several references to publisher "pitch" days. As someone who isn't writing a book, and who has no plans to, the concept of a "pitch" day was something that hadn't made a big impact on me, though of course I knew what … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pitch days
Delicious descriptions: Fiona McFarlane thinks a house can be a character
In another life, well, not quite another life, but in my pre-blog life when I discussed books online via listserv reading groups, I became involved in various literary discussions. One of these was whether a house or place can be a character. Some of us argued they could because they could be seen to act or react, to reflect … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Fiona McFarlane thinks a house can be a character
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)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writer development programs
I'm not a writer - as regular readers here would know - so I only have an outsider's understanding of how writers develop their skills. Here is what I know. First, of course, writers have to write - and write - and write. This is a pretty lonely business - and I suspect, often a frustrating … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writer development programs
Ellen van Neerven, Heat and light (Review)
It's silly I know, but I had a little thrill at the end of Ellen van Neerven's Heat and light, because not only was the last story set in a place where I spent six of the formative years of my childhood - Sandgate on the northern edge of Brisbane - but one of the characters learnt to … Continue reading Ellen van Neerven, Heat and light (Review)
Tara Moss, The fictional woman (Review)
In terms of feminist argument, I'm not sure that Tara Moss told me anything I didn't already know or believe in her first work of non-fiction, The fictional woman, but that didn't stop me enjoying her take, her approach. Moss is an interesting woman. Her careers as a model and a crime writer meant she wasn't really on my … Continue reading Tara Moss, The fictional woman (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: New prize for experimental NON-fiction
We've all heard of prizes for experimental fiction, I'm sure, such as the new(ish) Goldsmith's Prize won by Eimear McBride's A girl is a half-formed thing in 2013, but have you heard of a prize for experimental non-fiction? I hadn't until I read about Lifted Brow's new prize recently. The Lifted Brow is a Melbourne-based … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: New prize for experimental NON-fiction
The Griffyns go to China with Gough
... figuratively speaking, of course! The Griffyn Ensemble commenced their 2015 season in fine style, with guest artist, Chinese pipa player, Professor Zhang Hongyan. As always, the concert had a theme, evident from its title, Whitlam in China (and the development of friendly relations between our two countries). It was a tightly performed, well conceived and thoroughly … Continue reading The Griffyns go to China with Gough
Stella Prize 2015 Longlist
As a team-member of the Australian Women Writers' Challenge, I'm particularly interested in the Stella Prize, which, as you probably know, is a prize limited to Australian women writers. The great thing about it, though, is what it isn't limited to - and that is form and genre. The first winner in 2013 was a … Continue reading Stella Prize 2015 Longlist
Whispering Gums 