The letters Jane Austen wrote between 1807 and 1809 seem somewhat different to those she wrote later. There are probably a number of reasons for this but one could be that this was an unsettled period for her. Her father died in early 1805 which changed her (and her mother's and sister's) life circumstances dramatically. … Continue reading Jane Austen’s letters, 1807-1809
Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Thea Astley on oddballs
Thea Astley is one of my favourite writers and so I thought my next Delicious descriptions should be from her. It won't be the last because her writing is truly delicious. Up till now, my Delicious Descriptions have been of landscape/environment. This one is about people. It's from Drylands (1999), her last novel (or, really, … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down Under: Thea Astley on oddballs
Monday musings on Australian literature: A message from the remote west
Do you look at those airline magazines you find in planes? I usually do ... and often find something of interest in Qantas: The Australian Way. Yesterday I left Mr Gums behind and flew west for a week's work in a remote town in north-west-ish Western Australia. It was a long flight (three actually) so … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: A message from the remote west
Nine, just 9, books by female authors at the top of a 20th century list?
The Reading Ape, in his February Literary Fact of the Day compilation, included the following tidbit: There are only 6 female authors on The Modern Library's list of the 100 best novels of the 20th Century. In fact, in the Modern Library's Board's list (over 10 years old now), a woman doesn't appear until slot 15, … Continue reading Nine, just 9, books by female authors at the top of a 20th century list?
Leah Swann, Bearings
When I read a collection of short stories, I look to see whether there is an overriding theme. It's not essential that there be one, of course, but it can add to the satisfaction, if only because looking for a theme forces me to think a little more about what I've been reading. Well, I … Continue reading Leah Swann, Bearings
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writers from our Deep South
Yes, Australia has a "deep south", though we may not necessarily call it that. It's Tasmania, an island hanging off the southeast of mainland Australia. Like Western Australia, it can sometimes feel like another country. You have to go over the sea to it - and when you get there, you sometimes find yourself saying, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writers from our Deep South
The illicit passions of Griffyns
The instruments await their players Ha! That got you in didn't it? Or, didn't it? It's been a while since I wrote about a music event. That's not because I haven't been to any but because I'm no expert and prefer not to put that on show too often. However, the Griffyn Ensemble is a … Continue reading The illicit passions of Griffyns
Lloyd Jones, Hand me down world
I used to find myself saying, I can't imagine. But, I've since found out, you can - it's just a case of wanting to. What this character is talking about is empathy - and empathy, the having or not having it, is for me a major theme of New Zealand writer Lloyd Jones' latest novel, … Continue reading Lloyd Jones, Hand me down world
André Gide, The immoralist (or, L’immoraliste)
Reading synchronicities strike again - though on the surface it wouldn't seem to be so. That is, could there really be synchronicities between Geoff Dyer's Jeff in Venice, death in Varanasi and Andre Gide's The immoralist? I think there are. Besides some comments on art - its value and meaning - in The immoralist, there is … Continue reading André Gide, The immoralist (or, L’immoraliste)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Australian bildungsroman
I know the sad truth. About everything. (Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones) In past posts, I've talked of enjoying coming-of-age novels (aka bildungsroman) and so today I thought I'd share 5 (cos 5 seems like a manageable number for a list like this - and gives you an opportunity to contribute your own!) Australian novels in … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Australian bildungsroman
Whispering Gums 