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
Hate trees! Love bumpy roads!
I was a contrary child. When my family went on long car trips, a few decades ago now, I would, in my sunny way, announce to my parents, "I hate trees, love bumpy roads". Guess what my parents were talking about prior to this pronouncement from their co-operative first-born? This refrain, as you can imagine, … Continue reading Hate trees! Love bumpy roads!
Geoff Dyer, Jeff in Venice, death in Varanasi
What, a few moments earlier, had seemed such a persuasive notion - that ridiculousness might be the animating principle of life - seemed, in the face of this more pedestrian idea of progress, abruptly ... ridiculous. No sooner had I thought this, than I'd suddenly had enough of walking. ("Death in Varanasi") Hmm ... what … Continue reading Geoff Dyer, Jeff in Venice, death in Varanasi
