In the October issue of Limelight, conductor-composer Guy Noble has written about that Washington Post experiment in which renowned violinist, Joshua Bell, busked in downtown Washington. Only one person recognised him. No-one else showed much interest and he ended with the princely sum of a little over $30, $20 of which came from the person … Continue reading The value of the imprimatur
Marion Halligan, Valley of grace
Delicious but sly are the first words that come to mind when I think about Marion Halligan's latest novel, Valley of Grace. Take this for example: You know, people think flowers are pretty. Sentimental. Frivolous even. But the fact is, everything begins in the garden. Humans. Society. Civilisation. Evil. Things bud, bloom, weather, age, die. … Continue reading Marion Halligan, Valley of grace
William Lane, The workingman’s paradise
Wealth and Poverty both seem to degrade most of us. (p. 249) So says Bohemian Connie Stratton to the hero Ned Hawkins in William Lane's 1892 novel, The workingman's paradise. William Lane, an English-born journalist, union supporter and socialist, wrote under a number of pseudonyms including John Miller, the name he used for this novel … Continue reading William Lane, The workingman’s paradise
William Styron, Rat beach
I haven't read any William Styron, though I have seen the movie of Sophie's Choice, and so was pleased to have the opportunity to read his "Rat beach" for one of my many bookgroups this month. This short story was published in The New Yorker three years after Styron's death and is about a young … Continue reading William Styron, Rat beach
If you look up Wikipedia…
Back in June I wrote a post on Wikipedia's fairly rapid rise over the last two years in the credibility stakes ... about how it is even being cited as a source by Aunty ABC (Australia's government-backed broadcaster, for my overseas readers). Well, it has risen even higher than that now. Yesterday, the minister conducting … Continue reading If you look up Wikipedia…
Truth in fiction?
One of the things we readers regularly talk about is the notion of the truths we find in fiction. I like to collect what authors have to say about this, particularly in their own fiction, and so thought I'd share a few with you. But first I'll start with one from Richard Flanagan that doesn't … Continue reading Truth in fiction?
Time for another gum
This is, I believe, a Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) though I could also be wrong as I'm very much an amateur when it comes to tree identification. It does look like: they can be found up and down the east coast of New South Wales, of which the Hastings River is part, and they … Continue reading Time for another gum
Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones (Review)
What is is about coming-of-age novels? Why do we like to read them long after we've (hopefully) come of age ourselves? Is it because we like to compare our own experience with that of others? Whatever the reason, it is clear that we do like to read them because they sure keep being written and … Continue reading Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones (Review)
Kendall’s favourite son
...is the Australian poet, Henry Kendall. Except, he's not REALLY a son - he was not born there, and he only lived there for 6 years, from 1875 to 1881, when he was New South Wales' first Forest Inspector. But, you know the story, when you are on a good thing...! And, anyhow, as a … Continue reading Kendall’s favourite son
Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, 2009
Queenland has done itself proud with this year's award winners: Richard Flanagan's Wanting, Chloe Hooper's The tall man, Nam Le's The boat and Adam Elliot's film script for Mary and Max all won their sections. All great works. Perhaps I should try to read the winners of the other sections. I like how these judges … Continue reading Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards, 2009
