How do you review or evaluate a Jane Austen "sequel"*? Do we expect, want even, the author to channel Austen? I suspect the answer is as varied as are the readers of sequels, and it probably depends on why we read Austen. Those who are mostly interested in the stories and what happens to the characters … Continue reading PD James, Death comes to Pemberley (Review, sorta)
Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Chris Flynn (or Billy) on yoga
It's been a couple of months since my last Delicious descriptions - life has been particularly busy - but I can't resist stopping for a moment to share this one. It comes during one of my favourite set pieces in Chris Flynn's A tiger in Eden which I reviewed a couple of days ago. This … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Chris Flynn (or Billy) on yoga
Chris Flynn, A tiger in Eden (Review)
Courtesy: Text Publishing Are all people redeemable, regardless of what they've done? This is the question that confronts us in Chris Flynn's debut novel, A tiger in Eden. I wondered, as I was reading this book, what inspired Flynn to write - in first person - about a man who was a violent thug during … Continue reading Chris Flynn, A tiger in Eden (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: What value literary awards?
If you are an Australian reader, you have probably heard that the new Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman, has abolished the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards. This was a shock as it had not been flagged during the election. His reason? To save some $250,000, as part of the Liberal National Party's promised cost-cutting drive! It was … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: What value literary awards?
Merlinda Bobis, Fish-hair woman (Review)
How do you classify a book like Fish-hair woman by Filipino-Australian writer, Merlinda Bobis? Darned if I know, but I'll have a go. It's part war story, murder mystery, political thriller, romance, and historical epic. It draws on the magical realist tradition of writers like Isabel Allende, but overarching all this, it is a book about … Continue reading Merlinda Bobis, Fish-hair woman (Review)
Vale Jerome
In living there is always the terror of being stung of something coming for you on the unavoidable wave (from "Bluebottles" by Dorothy Porter in her collection The bee hut) I have not posted since last week's Monday musings, and there will be no Monday musings this week, but I will resume in a day … Continue reading Vale Jerome
Monday musings on Australian literature: Famous Australian literary couples
We all know Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth and Darcy, and Cathy and Heathcliff. They are ingrained into the consciousness of readers of English literature. But we Aussies have some couples of our own and I thought it might be fun to introduce you to just a few. They are interesting, not only because they are … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Famous Australian literary couples
Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, 2012
The Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature are biennial awards, coinciding, funnily enough, with the holding of the biennial Adelaide Festival. I understand, however, that from 2012 the festival will be an annual event. Presumably this means the literary awards will also be awarded annually from now on. If that's the plan, South Australia will finally … Continue reading Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, 2012
Izzeldin Abuelaish, I shall not hate (Review)
Revenge is a concept that I just don't get. No, let me put that another way. I understand the emotions that give rise to the desire for revenge - though I've never, admittedly, been tested myself, not like, say, Izzeldin Abuelaish. What I don't understand is the belief that revenge is the answer, that it … Continue reading Izzeldin Abuelaish, I shall not hate (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Louisa Atkinson, and indigenous Australians
Time for another Monday Musings highlighting an Australian literary pioneer, this time Louisa Atkinson. I came across Atkinson a few years ago when I was researching Australian women writers for Wikipedia. She's one of those women who achieved much in her field but who, I believe, is little known. She was a journalist, novelist and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Louisa Atkinson, and indigenous Australians
Whispering Gums 