I discovered Elizabeth von Arnim (nee Mary Annette Beauchamp, 1866-1941) back in the 1990s when Virago republished her first novel, Elizabeth and her German garden. Published in 1898, this novel, writes Gabrielle Carey, was an immediate hit, turning her, almost overnight, into one of England's favourite authors. It was certainly a revelation to me. I … Continue reading Gabrielle Carey, Only happiness here: In search of Elizabeth von Arnim (#BookReview)
Australian writers
Delicious descriptions: John Hughes on Newcastle
Recently, Bill (the Australian Legend) commented on a post of mine that reviewers rarely talk about place or "think geographically". I'm not sure exactly what he means, but I think, partly, he wants us to discuss whether we think what we are reading accurately depicts place. Now, I love descriptions of place, for all sorts … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: John Hughes on Newcastle
John Hughes, The dogs (#BookReview)
Dogs are mentioned frequently in John Hughes' novel, The dogs, but the most dramatic reference occurs when the narrator's mother, Anna, is hiding in a swamp with other partisans during World War 2. The barking of the Germans' dogs tells them "it was only a matter of time" before they'd be found, causing Anna to … Continue reading John Hughes, The dogs (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian Literature: Colonial Texts series
I came across the Colonial Texts series back in 1988 with the publication of its first book, Ada Cambridge's A woman's friendship. I bought it and read it, and was inspired to read another novel by Cambridge, Sisters. Somehow, though, I lost touch with this series, partly due to my young family busy-ness at the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian Literature: Colonial Texts series
Jane Sinclair, Shy love smiles and acid drops (#BookReview)
Jane Sinclair's hybrid biography-memoir, Shy love smiles and acid drops: Letters from a difficult marriage, is an unusual book. Covering around two years in her parents' life, this book comprises, mostly, letters sent between her parents between April 1960 and July 1962 when Sinclair and her mother were in England while her father remained in … Continue reading Jane Sinclair, Shy love smiles and acid drops (#BookReview)
Julie Koh, Portable curiosities: Stories (#BookReview)
I've decided to try reading more audiobooks this year, despite not being a big fan of this mode of consuming books. I'm a textual person. I like to see the print on the page, how it is set out. I like to see the words. I like to see how the names are spelt. Given … Continue reading Julie Koh, Portable curiosities: Stories (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Guardian Australia’s Unmissables (2)
Two years ago, I wrote a post on The Guardian Australia's Unmissables series, which was initiated in 2019 and aimed to highlight 12 new releases they deem "significant". The series was supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. I wondered at the end of my previous post whether the project would continue after the initial … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Guardian Australia’s Unmissables (2)
Amy Witting, Isobel on the way to the corner shop (#BookReview)
My first reading group book of the year, Amy Witting's Isobel on the way to the corner shop, nicely doubles as a (late) contribution to Bill's AWW Gen 4 week. Winner of the 1993 Patrick White Award, Amy Witting is one of those much-admired Australian writers who had not then and still has not received … Continue reading Amy Witting, Isobel on the way to the corner shop (#BookReview)
Epiphany in Harrower’s “The fun of the fair”
With Bill's AWW Gen 4 Week still in play, I hoped I'd find something relevant to share from Reading like an Australian writer. And there was, a discussion by novelist Emily Maguire of a short story by Elizabeth Harrower. The short story, as you can probably guess, is titled "The fun of the fair" and … Continue reading Epiphany in Harrower’s “The fun of the fair”
Margaret Barbalet, Blood in the rain (#BookReview)
When I thought about Bill's AWW Gen 4 week, I knew I'd have some hard choices to make as I have many eligible novels on my TBR shelves. However, the choice wasn't too hard because there was one author who just doesn't seem to be talked about and I wanted to include her on my … Continue reading Margaret Barbalet, Blood in the rain (#BookReview)
Whispering Gums 