I concluded last week's Monday Musings by saying that I wasn't finished with 1970. There are several posts I'm hoping to write, drawing from my 1970 research, but I'm starting with this one simply because it picks up on a comment I made last week. That comment referenced George Johnston, and a review by John … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Fearless reviewing in 1970
Michael Wilding, The man of slow feeling (#Review, #1970 Club)
Michael Wilding's short story, "The man of slow feeling", is hopefully the first of two reviews I post for the 1970 Club, but we'll see if I get the second one done. I have been making a practice of reading Australian short stories for the Year Clubs, so when the year is chosen I go … Continue reading Michael Wilding, The man of slow feeling (#Review, #1970 Club)
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1970 in fiction
Once again it's Karen's (Kaggsy's Bookish Rambling) and Simon's (Stuck in a Book) "Year Club" week. This week, it is 1970, and it runs from today, 14th to 20th October. As for the last 6 clubs, I am devoting my Monday Musings to the week. Despite the excitement and idealism of the 1960s, 1970 Australia … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1970 in fiction
Stephen Orr, Shining like the sun (#BookReview)
A question that confronts many young people as they reach adulthood - in western cultures at least - is, should I go or should I stay? This is particularly so for young people in small rural towns, and is the issue at the heart of Stephen Orr's latest novel, Shining like the sun. Wilf Healy, … Continue reading Stephen Orr, Shining like the sun (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie Booker Prize listees
In terms of the Booker Prize, it's been a long time between drinks for Aussie writers. By this I mean that Charlotte Wood's shortlisting for the 2024 prize with Stone Yard devotional, breaks the longest drought Australian writers have had in terms of being listed for the prize since its commencement in 1969. It has … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie Booker Prize listees
Six degrees of separation, FROM Long Island TO …
When last month's Six Degrees went to air, I was on holiday in outback Queensland. I have since returned from that wonderful trip, but am now in Melbourne for two weeks, catching up with family, including of course our two gorgeous grandchildren. I could do the grandmotherly thing and wax lyrical about what fun they … Continue reading Six degrees of separation, FROM Long Island TO …
Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 Prize 2024: Shortlist announced
And, the interesting literary awards keep coming. In November 2022, I announced the creation of the new 20/40 Publishing Prize by the local-to-my-region independent, non-profit publisher, Finlay Lloyd. A year later, in October 2023, I announced the inaugural shortlist, and soon after that, the winners, Rebecca Burton's Ravenous girls (my review) and Kim Kelly's Ladies’ … Continue reading Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 Prize 2024: Shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: literary Magandjin/Brisbane
Last week I wrote a post on "literary outback Queensland", following the route of a trip we had just finished. That trip ended up in Magandjin (or Brisbane), which is very definitely not "outback" so I decided to hold over Brisbane fiction for another post. Concluding the Skylore drone show, 2024 Brisbane Festival Brisbane is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: literary Magandjin/Brisbane
2024 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Recently, I posted on the shortlist for the Barbara Jefferis Award, which has a very specific goal concerning the depiction of women and girls in a positive way or in a way that empowers the status of women and girls in society. Today, I'm sharing another shortlist for another award with a specific focus. The … Continue reading 2024 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award shortlist
Jane Caro, The mother (#BookReview)
When my reading group scheduled Jane Caro's debut novel, The mother, I was, I admit, not exactly enthusiastic, because my sense was that it was not going to be the sort of, shall I say, subtle writing I prefer. My sense was right, but I am not sorry I read it - partly because of … Continue reading Jane Caro, The mother (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 