I'm blaming author and blogger Karen Lee Thompson again for this post, because she wrote a wonderful comment on my post on Barbara Baynton's short story "Squeaker's mate", and I'm going to quote it pretty much in full (I hope that's ok from a copyright point of view - tell me if it isn't Karen … Continue reading Barbara Baynton, The chosen vessel (Review)
Australian writers
Barbara Baynton, Squeaker’s mate (Review)
My last post was about this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books which is pitting short stories against each other. One of the short stories is Barbara Baynton's "Squeaker's mate", which I've read before but a long time ago. I decided, though, to read it again, since I have easy access to a copy, on my … Continue reading Barbara Baynton, Squeaker’s mate (Review)
Kate Grenville, The lieutenant (Review)
I first came across William Dawes, the inspiration for Kate Grenville's The lieutenant, in Inga Clendinnen's award-winning history, Dancing with strangers (2003). But this is not the only book that Grenville's novel brought to mind, as it also reminded me of Kim Scott's That deadman dance. (Intriguing that both these books use a dance motif, … Continue reading Kate Grenville, The lieutenant (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Nigel of Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecot
This is embarrassing but I really can't remember how and when I first met Nigel. Actually let me rephrase that: I do remember when I met him in person because I've only met him once (at a literary event earlier this year), but who stumbled across whose blog first I have no idea. I'm glad … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Nigel of Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecot
Elliot Perlman, The street sweeper (Review)
Elliot Perlman's latest novel, The street sweeper, is a complex book with a pretty simple message. It's complex because of its multiple interconnecting storylines that move back and forth between World War II, the American Civil Rights era, and contemporary times. It has multiple themes, about which I'll write further, but the underlying message is … Continue reading Elliot Perlman, The street sweeper (Review)
Zane Lovitt, The midnight promise (Review)
Zane Lovitt's debut book, The midnight promise, is one of those books for which I can't decide how to start my review. I could go with the point, previously made in this blog, that I'm not a reader of crime and so cannot speak with authority on the subject. Or, I could write about the … Continue reading Zane Lovitt, The midnight promise (Review)
Paddy O’Reilly, The salesman (Review)
I've been wanting to read Paddy O'Reilly for the longest time but somehow haven't managed to get to her so, as is my wont, I decided to read a short story of hers in the Griffith Review. She made her name, I think, with her short stories, but has also written novels/novellas and a screenplay, … Continue reading Paddy O’Reilly, The salesman (Review)
Dorothea Mackellar, Elena Kats-Chernin and the Vienna Boys Choir
I'm guessing most of you have heard of the Vienna Boys Choir, but you may not, particularly if you're not Australian, have heard of Dorothea Mackellar and Elena Kats-Chernin. Mackellar (1885-1968) was an Australian writer, best known for her poem "My country". Kats-Chernin (b. 1957) is an Australian composer who was born in Tashkent (in what was … Continue reading Dorothea Mackellar, Elena Kats-Chernin and the Vienna Boys Choir
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s pioneer novelists
One of the reasons I started this Monday Musings series was to encourage me to read, think and/or learn about my country's literature, but in doing so I mostly write about books and authors I know and have read. Occasionally though I explore authors and works that are not so familiar to me. Today's post … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australia’s pioneer novelists
Toni Jordan, Nine days (Review)
Toni Jordan's latest novel, Nine days, is somewhat of a departure from her first two novels which are more in the chicklit vein, albeit chicklit with a difference. The thing is, I don't generally read chicklit, but I did enjoy Addition and Fall girl, so I was more than willing to read Jordan's next offering. I … Continue reading Toni Jordan, Nine days (Review)
