Since we've been currently talking about short stories - or, at least, I have been doing so here in my little corner of the litblog world - I though it might be a good time to list some of the literary awards dedicated to short stories in Australia. It's a bit of a lazy post … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Literary Awards for Short Stories
Barbara Baynton, The chosen vessel (Review)
I'm blaming author and blogger Karen Lee Thompson again for this post, because she wrote a wonderful comment on my post on Barbara Baynton's short story "Squeaker's mate", and I'm going to quote it pretty much in full (I hope that's ok from a copyright point of view - tell me if it isn't Karen … Continue reading Barbara Baynton, The chosen vessel (Review)
Barbara Baynton, Squeaker’s mate (Review)
My last post was about this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books which is pitting short stories against each other. One of the short stories is Barbara Baynton's "Squeaker's mate", which I've read before but a long time ago. I decided, though, to read it again, since I have easy access to a copy, on my … Continue reading Barbara Baynton, Squeaker’s mate (Review)
Meanjin Tournament of Books: Short stories in 2012
Last year I wrote a series of posts on the first Meanjin Tournament of Books. Responding to the discussions that had been raging at the time, that tournament was devoted to books written by women. I'm pleased to say that the Meanjin team has decided to run the tournament again this year and the focus … Continue reading Meanjin Tournament of Books: Short stories in 2012
Monday musings on Australian literature: What’s in a street name?
Street names may be an unusual topic for a post on literature, but I think it could be argued that names of things are part of our wider literary culture. It can certainly be argued so for my city because street names here are serious business. None of your 5th Avenues and 61st Streets for … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: What’s in a street name?
Kate Grenville, The lieutenant (Review)
I first came across William Dawes, the inspiration for Kate Grenville's The lieutenant, in Inga Clendinnen's award-winning history, Dancing with strangers (2003). But this is not the only book that Grenville's novel brought to mind, as it also reminded me of Kim Scott's That deadman dance. (Intriguing that both these books use a dance motif, … Continue reading Kate Grenville, The lieutenant (Review)
Josephy Furphy and the Australian scrub
Last weekend I ran across Joseph Furphy, whom I've mentioned before in my blog, in the strangest of places - on a tapestry in the Melbourne Museum. It's not strange of course to find Furphy, one of Australia's pioneer novelists, in the museum, but I was surprised to find him quoted on a tapestry. Except, … Continue reading Josephy Furphy and the Australian scrub
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Nigel of Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecot
This is embarrassing but I really can't remember how and when I first met Nigel. Actually let me rephrase that: I do remember when I met him in person because I've only met him once (at a literary event earlier this year), but who stumbled across whose blog first I have no idea. I'm glad … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Nigel of Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecot
What did Jane Austen look for in a novel?
There are those who don't get Jane Austen. Some think her novels are silly romances while others think that she writes stories about the well-to-do who, they feel, aren't relevant or worthy subjects. Nothing, really, could be further from the truth. Her novels may be romantic but they are more than simple romances. Jane Austen … Continue reading What did Jane Austen look for in a novel?
Elliot Perlman, The street sweeper (Review)
Elliot Perlman's latest novel, The street sweeper, is a complex book with a pretty simple message. It's complex because of its multiple interconnecting storylines that move back and forth between World War II, the American Civil Rights era, and contemporary times. It has multiple themes, about which I'll write further, but the underlying message is … Continue reading Elliot Perlman, The street sweeper (Review)
Whispering Gums 