My Monday Musings of two weeks ago was about the first book in a series of four books on Australian fiction. The books were written by Colin Roderick and published by Angus and Robertson. The second book, which is today's topic, was published in 1947, two years after the first, and was titled Twenty Australian novelists. The novelists … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Twenty Australian novelists in 1947
Litblog reviews – What you said
Courtesy OCAL, clker.com Two weeks ago I wrote a post about what readers look for in litblog reviews. There were some wonderful responses with a reasonable consensus, so I thought it would be worth reporting on that. Here goes ... Style and format Most people prefer a "personal and quirky" (to use Stefanie's description) style … Continue reading Litblog reviews – What you said
Susan Johnson, Life in seven mistakes (Review)
By coincidence, really, my local reading group finally got around to reading Susan Johnson's Life in seven mistakes just as her next novel, My hundred lovers, is to be published. Johnson has written several novels now, though I'd only read one, The broken book based on the life of Charmian Clift, before this. I loved … Continue reading Susan Johnson, Life in seven mistakes (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (would be) 100 (today)
I had planned to follow up last week's Monday musings with another post on Colin Roderick's mid-twentieth century series of books on Australian prose, but I hadn't remembered then that today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Patrick White, Australia's only Nobel Laureate for Literature*. Colin Roderick will therefore have to wait for the man who … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Patrick White (would be) 100 (today)
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlist, 2012, announced: Fiction
I don't announce all shortlists and awards but I do like to follow the Prime Minister's Literary Awards so am announcing its shortlist for fiction for 2012: All That I Am by Anna Funder Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears (My review) Autumn Laing by Alex Miller Forecast: Turbulence by Janette Turner Hospital … Continue reading Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlist, 2012, announced: Fiction
Jane Austen’s letters, 1801-1806
The years from 1801 to 1806 were somewhat unsettled if not downright traumatic years for Jane Austen. In December 1800 her father retired and her parents decided to move themselves and their two daughters to Bath. And then in 1805 her father died, suddenly. She writes to her brother, Francis, on 21 January (Letter 40) … Continue reading Jane Austen’s letters, 1801-1806
Deborah Robertson, Sweet old world (Review)
I may not have read Sweet old world by Deborah Robertson if Random House Australia had not suggested it to me - but I'm rather glad I did. Why do I say this? Because it isn't the sort of book I usually like to get my teeth into. It doesn't play with form, or voice, … Continue reading Deborah Robertson, Sweet old world (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Australian Novel, 1945 style
Every now and then I like to delve into the newspapers digitised by the National Library of Australia and made available via its website. Last week, I was pottering around researching another topic for Monday Musings (for which you'll now have to wait) when I came across an article written in 1945 about a series of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Australian Novel, 1945 style
What do YOU look for in a book review?
Way back in January 2011, Peter Rose, editor of the Australian Book Review, described what he looks for in new reviewers. Of course, he's writing about reviewers for a serious journal, but it got me thinking about what blog readers look for when they visit litblogs. And so, I thought I'd ask. I know what I like, … Continue reading What do YOU look for in a book review?
Peter Carey, The chemistry of tears (Review)
It may sound strange, but when I think of Peter Carey, I also often think of Margaret Atwood. Their works and concerns are very different, I know, but the thing is that both produce highly varied oeuvre. They take risks; they try new forms, voices and genres. This is not to say that I only … Continue reading Peter Carey, The chemistry of tears (Review)
Whispering Gums 