What is it about Jane Austen? We all know the basic dichotomy. You know, the division between those who dismiss her as being slight, inconsequential, fluffy, chicklit and those who read her again and again swearing that each time they do they find something new to enjoy and appreciate. But, do you know about the … Continue reading Why did Jane Austen?
Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Jahnavi Barua on reading
In my recent review of Jahnavi Barua's Rebirth I quoted the following line: "No, I will not buy a book today. I will try and live in my life instead". I really wanted, though, to quote the entire preceding paragraph, but it didn't really suit the direction of my review. And so, instead, I'm posting … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Jahnavi Barua on reading
Monday musings on Australian literature: Judging a book by its cover
"Don't judge a book by its cover" is one of those mantras that we've all heard. It's a pretty valid one too - literally and metaphorically - but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy looking at bookcovers and handling beautifully produced books, does it? At least that's how I see it as a reader. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Judging a book by its cover
Jahnavi Barua, Rebirth (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
What a shame Jahnavi Barua's novel, Rebirth, is, to the best of my knowledge, available "for sale in the Indian Subcontinent only" (backcover). Our Shadow Man Asian team had real problems tracking this one down, but I'm very glad we did manage to obtain some copies, eventually, because this is a beautiful book. The title, … Continue reading Jahnavi Barua, Rebirth (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize 2011 Update
The observant among you will have noticed that I haven't done a Man Asian Literary Prize weekly round-up of reviews and news for a couple of weeks now. This is because our reviews have slowed down now to a crawl and hardly warrant a weekly post from me. The most recent reviews posted have been: Jahnavi … Continue reading Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize 2011 Update
Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite first (Australian) lines
This is a bit of a copout, I know, but I'm travelling this week and don't have a lot of time to write a seriously considered post. So, I've decided to simply do a list - of some of my favourite first lines from Australian literature. Like most readers I think, I do love a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Favourite first (Australian) lines
On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Ok, that's a pretty weak beginning I know, but hands up if you've ever heard of Omeo in Victoria, Australia? I must say that I hadn't until recently when I started planning our latest foray into Victoria. We decided to travel to Melbourne via the Great Alpine Road, in Victoria's High Country ... and in … Continue reading On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Michael Sala and truthful fictions
Michael Sala doesn't actually use the term "truthful fictions". That was a character in Jessica Anderson's Tirra Lirra by the river. But he could have. Yesterday I heard Sala interviewed on ABC Radio National's Life Matters about his debut novel The last thread, which I reviewed last week. Presenter Natasha Mitchell commenced by mentioning the transitions, secrets and … Continue reading Michael Sala and truthful fictions
Monday musings on Australian literature: Jessica Anderson
Every now and then I feature a specific writer in my Monday Musings - and they've usually been women because they tend to be overlooked. Take Jessica Anderson (1916-2010), for example. Most keen AusLit readers will know her because her novel Tirra lirra by the river made quite a splash when it was published in 1978, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Jessica Anderson
Dorothy Porter, On passion (Review)
Do you read "little" books? You know those small books that are carefully placed on bookstore sales counters where you are buying the book you really came for? I don't often, but every now and then one catches my eye. Today's review is of such a book from Melbourne University Press's Little books on big themes … Continue reading Dorothy Porter, On passion (Review)
