It was unfortunate that this Meet-the-Author event coincided with school and university holidays, not to mention a cold Canberra evening, resulting in a small turnout, because the conversation spoke particularly to the career and life challenges facing millennials and Gen Z. This is not to say that it didn't also speak to older generations, because … Continue reading Jessy Wu in conversation with Jasper Lindell
Debut fiction
George Kemp, Soft serve (#BookReview)
George Kemp's debut novel, Soft serve, explores big themes in a quiet, compassionate little package. Coming-of-age is tough enough, but when young people are confronted with the devastating loss of one of their own, it becomes an almost insurmountable challenge. Put this terrible grief against a backdrop of climate-change-fuelled bushfire and you might expect something … Continue reading George Kemp, Soft serve (#BookReview)
Jane Caro, The mother (#BookReview)
When my reading group scheduled Jane Caro's debut novel, The mother, I was, I admit, not exactly enthusiastic, because my sense was that it was not going to be the sort of, shall I say, subtle writing I prefer. My sense was right, but I am not sorry I read it - partly because of … Continue reading Jane Caro, The mother (#BookReview)
Lucy Mushita, Chinongwa (#BookReview)
Where to start with this complex, unusual and gorgeously written novel that manages to convey the horrors of child marriage, of colonialism, and of patriarchal cultures, without eulogising or demonising the characters involved? It's quite a feat, and it made this book a deeply involving read. The place to start, I suppose, is the beginning, … Continue reading Lucy Mushita, Chinongwa (#BookReview)
Al Campbell, The keepers (#BookReview)
Al Campbell's debut novel, The keepers, is a complex and ambitious novel about parenting, specifically about parenting children who are deemed too difficult by society, leaving their mothers, or carers, to survive, or not, as best they can. It's confronting but, unfortunately, all too real. That this is its theme is obvious from the novel's … Continue reading Al Campbell, The keepers (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists (5)
Okay, so last week I said that post would be the end of the current little run of awards posts - but then I saw the announcement of this year's Best Young Australian Novelists award, and decided we could cope with just one more. I really will try to offer something new (or, do I … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists (5)
Elisa Shua Dusapin, Winter in Sokcho (#BookReview)
French Korean writer Elisa Shua Dusapin's award-winning debut novella, Winter in Sokcho, was published when she was just 22 years old. As the title conveys, it is set in Sokcho, a tourist town in the Republic of Korea near the border between the two Koreas. In fact, when the Korean peninsula was divided into two … Continue reading Elisa Shua Dusapin, Winter in Sokcho (#BookReview)
Emma Viskic, Resurrection Bay (#BookReview)
Back in February, I said I planned to "read" more audiobooks this year, and slowly I'm achieving that goal with Emma Viskic's Resurrection Bay being my third for the year. In fact, it makes a particularly special contribution, because it is the first book I wanted to hear when we bought our new car with … Continue reading Emma Viskic, Resurrection Bay (#BookReview)
Shelley Burr, Wake (#BookReview)
Regular readers here will know a few things about me. One is that I don't regularly read crime, and another is that for three years, before the pandemic struck, I was the litblogging mentor for an ACT Writers Centre program. One of the last two participants in that program was Shelley Burr, author of the … Continue reading Shelley Burr, Wake (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists (4)
The current winners of this year's Best Young Australian Novelists were announced recently. I haven't seen much publicity, so given I've reported on this award for the last two years, I thought I'd do it again this year. It's a worthwhile award, and one that has seen writers go on to develop good careers. Just … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists (4)
Whispering Gums 