What Sara Dowse didn't know when she recently commented here on her love-hate relationship with Los Angeles was that I was in the closing stages of reading her novel, Schemetime, set there. I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that I've had this novel since Christmas 1990 when I was living in the LA area (in adjoining Orange … Continue reading Sara Dowse, Schemetime (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: In conversation with Black Words
Today* marks the first day of NAIDOC Week 2014, which will run through to July 13. In honour of this, and of Lisa's Indigenous Literature Week at ANZLitLovers, I thought I'd devote this week's Monday Musings to indigenous Australian writers - and specifically to Anita Heiss's "In conversation with Blackwords" series. This series is described … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: In conversation with Black Words
Richard Rossiter (ed), The trouble with flying and other stories (Review)
The trouble with flying and other stories is the second collection I've read from the Margaret River Short Story Competition. I greatly enjoyed last year's collection, Knitting and other stories, so was very happy to read this one. I'm pleased to see Margaret Press maintain its commitment to publishing stories from the competition, and hope that annual publication will help … Continue reading Richard Rossiter (ed), The trouble with flying and other stories (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Once more unto the breach
A little over three years ago, I wrote a Monday musings about the GAN (aka the Great Australian Novel) and the canon. I concluded with the questions: Do you think there is value to the idea of a canon? Or does it discourage wide and open-minded reading and coincidentally encourage a too narrow view of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Once more unto the breach
Delicious descriptions: Wallace Stegner on “what writers do”
In my recent review of Stegner's last novel, Crossing to safety, I talked a little about the nature of art (in its wider meaning). I wanted to include the following excerpt but it was a little long, and anyhow, I felt it deserved its own post. So, here it is ... About two-thirds through the … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Wallace Stegner on “what writers do”
Miles Franklin Award 2014
Well, the Miles Franklin Award judges have announced the winner of the 2014 award, and it is Evie Wyld's All the birds, singing - the only shortlisted book I've read! How lucky am I? Check my review, if you are interested. I loved All the birds, singing, and agree with the judges that it is “spare, yet … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award 2014
Wallace Stegner, Crossing to safety (Review)
Nearly two decades ago, I read Wallace Stegner's Angle of repose. I loved it. Indeed, for many years I had the following quote from it on my work whiteboard: "Civilisations grow by agreements and accommodations and accretions, not by repudiations". Not just civilisations, I thought, but marriages, teams, organisations. I like the way this man thinks. … Continue reading Wallace Stegner, Crossing to safety (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Red Room Poetry Object Competition 2014
Just a quick Monday Musings today but an interesting one I hope. Red Room Poetry Object is a poetry-writing competition for Australian students in Years 3-10. It was created by The Red Room Company, which is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2003. It apparently grew out of the Red Room Radio Show. The company's aim is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Red Room Poetry Object Competition 2014
Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords
While Hobartians are enjoying a full-on festival - Dark Mofo - to celebrate the Winter Solstice, we here in the national capital have had our little celebration. Or, at least, Mr Gums and I attended one. There might be others going on that I know nothing about. Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords was, … Continue reading Winter Solstice: New Lights and Dark Chords
Australia’s first Arbor Day
At the National Arboretum, Canberra Do you ever wonder what a few generations hence will think about the way we do things? About how we put on our festivals and celebrations? Whether they will think how silly we look - and, I don't mean "silly" in the ways we may have intended but "silly" in … Continue reading Australia’s first Arbor Day
