Nigerian writer Sefi Atta was once an accountant. Interesting switch that, accountant to writer, but Atta seems to have made it with great success. Her first novel, Everything good will come, won the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, and received an Honourable Mention in the Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize. Her short story collection, News … Continue reading Sefi Atta, A bit of difference (Review)
The Griffyns go Behind Bars
Before the concert The Griffyn Ensemble has done it again. They've presented a concert that moved, challenged, educated and entertained us. Behind Bars, which was performed last week in Melbourne, Bendigo and Canberra, was the third and final concert of their 2012 season. Like all their concerts it had a theme, this one being, obviously, … Continue reading The Griffyns go Behind Bars
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Marilyn of Me, You and Books
I first "met" Marilyn earlier this year when she decided to take part in the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2012. There aren't many non-Australians who have signed up for this challenge so Texas-resident Marilyn stood out. She is a retired professor of a small liberal arts school in the USA, where she taught women’s history, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Marilyn of Me, You and Books
Zane Lovitt, The midnight promise (Review)
Zane Lovitt's debut book, The midnight promise, is one of those books for which I can't decide how to start my review. I could go with the point, previously made in this blog, that I'm not a reader of crime and so cannot speak with authority on the subject. Or, I could write about the … Continue reading Zane Lovitt, The midnight promise (Review)
Paddy O’Reilly, The salesman (Review)
I've been wanting to read Paddy O'Reilly for the longest time but somehow haven't managed to get to her so, as is my wont, I decided to read a short story of hers in the Griffith Review. She made her name, I think, with her short stories, but has also written novels/novellas and a screenplay, … Continue reading Paddy O’Reilly, The salesman (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian women’s non-fiction writing
Today's Monday Musings was inspired by a post last month in Overland literary journal's blog. The topic - Women and non-fiction writing - is a big one, bigger really than I have time for now, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to make a start. In the Overland post, which comprised an interview with writer, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian women’s non-fiction writing
Whispering Gums has a new URL – and some news
It's time I did it and so I did. I have, through WordPress, bought my own domain name. This means that the URL for Whispering Gums is now http://whisperinggums.com My old address - https://whisperinggums.wordpress.com - will be automatically redirected by the wonderful WordPress to this new one . However, you may find it more efficient to … Continue reading Whispering Gums has a new URL – and some news
Nancy Cato, All the rivers run, Book 1 (Review)
It's been a long time since I reviewed an audiobook or, more accurately, reviewed a book via its audiobook version. As I've said before, I don't listen often to audiobooks, but last month Mr Gums and I did a long drive and so decided to listen to Nancy Cato's All the rivers run. I referred … Continue reading Nancy Cato, All the rivers run, Book 1 (Review)
Karen Jennings, Finding Soutbek (Review)
Finding Soutbek (Courtesy: Holland Park Press) I don't, as a rule, accept review copies of books by non-Australian authors, but when New Holland Press offered me Finding Soutbek by South African writer, Karen Jennings, I was intrigued. Intrigued because of connections in our countries' respective histories, and because I've read several books set in South … Continue reading Karen Jennings, Finding Soutbek (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Martin Boyd, Writer or Potter?
Last week my reading group discussed Martin Boyd's A difficult young man, which I read and reviewed a couple of years ago. This weekend, Mr Gums and I went, with another couple, to the Grand Opening and River Music Fair at Australian Pottery at Bemboka. Why do I mention this? Because, in another one of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Martin Boyd, Writer or Potter?
Whispering Gums 