Back in November I wrote a post titled Nettie Palmer on short stories which resulted in Stefanie (of So Many Books) recommending one of her favourite short stories, Virginia Woolf's "The mark on the wall". I told her I'd read it and, finally, I have. This is the sort of story I like. It doesn't have a strong … Continue reading Virginia Woolf, The mark on the wall (Review)
Anna Krien, Us and them: On the importance of animals (Review)
I'll admit it right up front, I am not a vegetarian or a vegan. I like to eat meat. I wear leather shoes. I like to think, though, that the source of these products has had a comfortable life and a quick, stress-free death. But I'm kidding myself, I know. And Anna Krien's essay, Us … Continue reading Anna Krien, Us and them: On the importance of animals (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers and politics in the 1930s
I have written before about the fact that there's been two periods in Australian literature when women writers seem to have flourished. One was around the 1920s to 1930s and the other around the 1970s to 1980s. Today I want to write a little about this first period because, from the perspective of 80 plus … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Women writers and politics in the 1930s
Kyung-sook Shin’s Please look after mom (or mother) wins the Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011
In late October last year, twelve books from across Asia were longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize, and in January, they were whittled down to an unusually long shortlist of seven. Today, one emerged the winner: And woo hoo! It's our Shadow team's pick, Kyung-sook Shin's Please look after mom (or mother). Image: Matt … Continue reading Kyung-sook Shin’s Please look after mom (or mother) wins the Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011
Amitav Ghosh, River of smoke (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
I'm rather sorry that I haven't read Amitav Ghosh's Sea of poppies because, while River of smoke does work on its own, I think my experience would have been richer had I read the beginning of the trilogy. This shouldn't affect its Man Asian Literary Prize chances, but you never know. I loved that the … Continue reading Amitav Ghosh, River of smoke (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
Announcing the “Shadow” Man Asian Literary Prize 2011
Our announcement ... In a carefully co-ordinated announcement across three continents - Europe, North America and Australia - I am now able to announce that the Shadow team's winner for the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize is: Please Look After Mother (or Mom) by Kyung-sook Shin. It was - and was not - an easy … Continue reading Announcing the “Shadow” Man Asian Literary Prize 2011
Tafelmusik anyone?
Tafelmusik = table (or banquet) music, and has been used since the mid-16th century for music played at feasts and banquets. AND ... Tafelmusik = a Canadian Baroque orchestra specialising in early music, performed on period instruments. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE ... 197856 Tafelmusik = an asteroid discovered in 2004 and named for the orchestra. You … Continue reading Tafelmusik anyone?
Raising my consciousness: Thoughts of a reader on International Women’s Day
I am not, and never have been, scared to use the "F" word - that is, I call myself a Feminist. My philosophy is a simple one: women are not the SAME as men, but women deserve EQUAL rights and respect as men. This is not to say that the interpretation and application of this … Continue reading Raising my consciousness: Thoughts of a reader on International Women’s Day
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Living Treasures
Over the weekend, the list of Australian Living Treasures was updated. This has to happen every now then because, you know, our living treasures have a habit of dying eventually, which rather disqualifies them from the list! I've chosen to write this post this week for two reasons. The most obvious one is the updating … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian Living Treasures
Yan Lianke, Dream of Ding village (Review for Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
As I started reading Yan Lianke's Dream of Ding Village, I was reminded of a favourite novel of mine, Albert Camus' The plague. However, as I read on, the similarity started to fade - or, perhaps it's just that the particularity of Lianke's conception took over. Both books explore a community living with a highly contagious, … Continue reading Yan Lianke, Dream of Ding village (Review for Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
Whispering Gums 