Tim Winton's fourth Miles Franklin Award in 2009 for Breath means he has equalled Thea Astley's four awards.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer, This earth of mankind
Nationalism, in today's western world, is pretty much a dirty word - and yet it is the idea of nationalism which underpins Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Buru Quartet, of which I have just read the first book, This earth of mankind. Toer's concept of nationalism was formed under colonial rule of his country by … Continue reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer, This earth of mankind
Favourite writers: 2, Elizabeth Jolley
Not , unfortunately, being a time-traveller, I haven't managed to see or hear Jane Austen in person. I am, however, far more fortunate in this regard when it comes to the subject of my next favourite writers post - Elizabeth Jolley. I did get to see and hear her at a literary lunch at the height … Continue reading Favourite writers: 2, Elizabeth Jolley
Using Wikipedia
There has been a great change in the reputation of Wikipedia in the two years since I started calling myself a Wikipedian. Two years ago, whenever Wikipedia was mentioned - particularly in the media, in academic circles, by the "intelligentsia" - it was accompanied by a snide remark or derogatory tone. Suddenly, though, I am … Continue reading Using Wikipedia
Consider the floor burnt…
One of my dilettantish (you know, jack of all trades master of none) interests is dance. I did ballet for eight years as a child (not very well) and have done ballroom dancing on and off since my late teens (not very well); I have tried my hand at folk dancing, English country dancing and, … Continue reading Consider the floor burnt…
Cute but not cutesy
Cute has become a much maligned word but it originated as a shortened form of acute and meant "keenly perceptive or discerning, shrewd". This, I think, works well as a description of Sarah Watt's latest film My Year Without Sex, particularly when combined with more recent meanings of the word such as "charming". (WARNING: SOME SPOILERS) The basic premise … Continue reading Cute but not cutesy
When is a sequel not a sequel?
What Janeites call sequels, others, such as Elizabeth Paton writing in the June 2009 issue of goodreading, call fan fiction. And, I guess, fan fiction is a little more accurate since what Janeites call sequels is, in fact, "fiction written by the fans, for the fans of a particular book". In her essay titled "Sequels" … Continue reading When is a sequel not a sequel?
Cheaper books? At what cost?
Richard Flanagan gave the closing address at this year's Sydney Writers Festival and spoke about recent moves to end territorial copyright in Australia which would allow the sale of overseas editions in Australia. It appears that this move is supported by big businesses such as Dymocks, Coles and Woolworths who apparently call themselves the Coalition for Cheaper … Continue reading Cheaper books? At what cost?
Notes from a Wikipedian
Two years ago I made my first edit in Wikipedia ... and got hooked. You see, as a young teenager I decided I wanted to write an encyclopedia. I did start one, but didn't get very far. Life got in the way as I recollect. As with several of my early dreams, however, life has … Continue reading Notes from a Wikipedian
When too much Jane Austen is barely enough
Okay, this is not going to turn into a Jane Austen blog but, nonetheless, you will probably find her the author I talk about the most. Today I read Frank Kermode's review in the London Review of Books of the recent Cambridge edition of the works of Jane Austen, Volume IX: The later manuscripts and Claire … Continue reading When too much Jane Austen is barely enough
Whispering Gums 