I can't resist writing another post on Christina Stead's For love alone, which I reviewed recently. Usually in my reviews I make some comments about the writing, but that review was getting so long that I decided to leave that discussion for another day. I'm embarrassed to admit that For love alone is my first … Continue reading Thoughts on Christina Stead’s writing in For love alone
Australian writers
Christina Stead, For love alone (Review)
In a recent communication with local author Nigel Featherstone about reviewing, he reminded me of Peter Rose's advice for new reviewers for the ABR. One of the points Rose makes is: with major books, ones that have been reviewed extensively in the newspapers, submit reviews that add to our understanding of the book, not just repetitious … Continue reading Christina Stead, For love alone (Review)
Murray Bail, Portrait of electricity (Review)
A couple of weeks ago I quoted Murray Bail on compser-house-museums from his latest novel, The voyage. But this isn't the first time Bail has expressed his attitudes towards turning the home of a famous person into a museum. It was the topic of a short story, "Portrait of electricity" which, as far as I can … Continue reading Murray Bail, Portrait of electricity (Review)
Murray Bail, The voyage (Review)
It took me a while to read Murray Bail's latest novel The voyage. I started it before we went overseas but didn't quite finish it, and decided not to carry it with me. So, 8 weeks later, I picked it up and found it surprisingly easy to continue. I say surprising because it is a rather … Continue reading Murray Bail, The voyage (Review)
Dorothy Johnston, Eight pieces on prostitution (Review)
A few months ago I wrote a Monday Musings on the Australian Society of Authors' digital publishing initiative, Authors Unlimited e_Book portal. At the time I decided to try it out and bought Dorothy Johnston's collection of short stories, Eight pieces on prostitution. The collection comprises 7 short stories and a long story or novella. One … Continue reading Dorothy Johnston, Eight pieces on prostitution (Review)
Romy Ash, The basin (Review)
Romy Ash has made quite a splash with her debut novel, Floundering. It was shortlisted for the Stella Prize and the Miles Franklin Literary Award, among others. I haven't read it yet, but I have read a couple of her short stories that have appeared in the Griffth Review, one of which is "The basin". … Continue reading Romy Ash, The basin (Review)
Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Every now and then a book comes along that is so sweeping in its conception, that it almost defies review. Such a book is this year's Miles Franklin Award winner, Questions of travel by Michelle de Kretser. Consequently, I'm going to focus on one aspect that particularly spoke to me - and that is her … Continue reading Michelle de Kretser, Questions of travel (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Back in May, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) announced its Best Young Australian Novelists awards. They have been doing this for 17 years, though I only became aware of them a few years ago. They are usually announced at or to coincide with the Sydney Writers Festival. The judges this year were Marc McEvoy, SMH … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Dymphna Cusack, A window in the dark (Review)
Dymphna Cusack's A window in the dark has been glaring at me from my TBR pile for many years now. Not being able to stand it any longer, I decided to sneak it in before my next reading group book, Michelle de Kretser's Questions of travel. Posthumously published by the National Library of Australia, A window … Continue reading Dymphna Cusack, A window in the dark (Review)
Anita Heiss, Am I black enough for you (Review)
Anita Heiss's Am I black enough for you? is a challenge to categorise, so I'll start with writer Benjamin Law's description on the cover of my edition. He calls it "part family history, part manifesto" to which I'd add "part memoir" because "family history" does not really cover the self-description aspect of the book. For … Continue reading Anita Heiss, Am I black enough for you (Review)
Whispering Gums 