"We'll remember you" says Margrét to Agnes on the day of her execution. We sure will, if Hannah Kent's debut novel Burial rites has anything to say about it. Kent's book is the second novel set in Iceland I've read, the first being Icelandic writer Halldor Laxness's unforgettable Independent people. Although Laxness's novel is set a century after Burial rites, … Continue reading Hannah Kent, Burial rites (Review)
Australian writers
Sue Milliken, Selective memory: A life in film (Review)
Funny how things go sometimes. I may not have read Sue Milliken's memoir, Selective memory, had the publisher, Hybrid Publishers, not noticed my rather particular interest in film via my recent review of Margaret Rose Stringer's And then like my dreams. I'm glad they did because this book took me down memory lane ... Sue Milliken is … Continue reading Sue Milliken, Selective memory: A life in film (Review)
Angela Savage, The dying beach (Review)
When I received Angela Savage's novel The dying beach out of the blue last year as a review copy, I didn't put it high in my list of reading priorities. I had - and still have - a pile of books waiting patiently, and I rarely (never say never) read crime novels. However, two things … Continue reading Angela Savage, The dying beach (Review)
Christos Tsiolkas, Barracuda (Review)
The best way I can describe Christos Tsiolkas' latest novel Barracuda is to liken it to what Tsiolkas would define as a "good man", tough on the outside, but tender within. I don't know how Tsiolkas does it, but he manages to reach into your heart while at the same time confronting you to your … Continue reading Christos Tsiolkas, Barracuda (Review)
Margaret Merrilees, The first week (Review)
Having discussed in this week's Monday Musings Margaret Merrilees' essay on white authors writing about indigenous Australians, I'm now getting to my promised review of her debut novel, The first week, in which she does just this. It also, according to Wakefield Press's media release, won the Adelaide Festival's Unpublished Manuscript Award in 2012. I can see why … Continue reading Margaret Merrilees, The first week (Review)
Poetry at the Gods … with Les Murray
What can I say but that it was wonderful to be in the presence of the man who is arguably Australia's greatest living poet, Les Murray. Poetry at the Gods is a monthly event which has been run for many years by local poet Geoff Page*. (The Gods is a cafe-bar attached to the Australian … Continue reading Poetry at the Gods … with Les Murray
Evie Wyld, All the birds, singing (Review)
Quite by coincidence, I read Evie Wyld's second novel All the birds, singing straight after Eleanor Catton's The luminaries. I was intrigued by some similarities - both have a mystery at their core, and both use a complex narrative structure - but enjoyed their differences. Wyld's book is tightly focused on one main character while Catton's sprawls (albeit in … Continue reading Evie Wyld, All the birds, singing (Review)
Margaret Rose Stringer, And then like my dreams (Review)
I was, I have to admit, predisposed to like Margaret Rose Stringer's memoir, And then like my dreams, before I opened the cover. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed, but not, as it turned out, for the reason I expected. Here's why. Margaret Rose Stringer once worked as a continuity girl in the Australian film industry and … Continue reading Margaret Rose Stringer, And then like my dreams (Review)
Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
It seems fitting that my first review of the year be for a book of short stories by one of this blog's regular commenters, Catherine McNamara. I have reviewed McNamara before, her first published novel, The divorced lady's companion to living in Italy. McNamara describes that book as commercial fiction. It is, to describe it … Continue reading Catherine McNamara, Pelt and other stories (Review)
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Final, or the Winner is announced
One of the best things about blogging is the conversation it can engender. I was consequently pleased then when my last post on the Meanjin Tournament got some conversation going about the tournament itself - some thoughtful, respectful conversation. So, before I report on the final round, I thought I'd discuss this a little ... This … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Final, or the Winner is announced
Whispering Gums 