I have not read Ann Patchett for a long time. In fact, I've only read one novel, Bel Canto, way before blogging, and one nonfiction piece, “The bookshop strikes back” (my review). So, when I saw all the love her latest novel, Tom Lake, was getting in 2023's end-of-year lists (including Kate's annual compilation), I … Continue reading Ann Patchett, Tom Lake (#BookReview)
Farm literature
Shelley Burr, Vanish (#BookReview)
With Vanish, the third novel in her Lane Holland series, Burr mixes it up yet again, which appeals to me because my main reason for not liking genre fiction is that it can be formulaic. I know this is why many like it, and I understand that need for comforting reading. It's just not my … Continue reading Shelley Burr, Vanish (#BookReview)
Frank Dalby Davison, Dusty (#BookReview)
It's a strange coincidence that my second review for Bill's Gen 1-3 Aussie male writers week is for a novel titled Dusty, when my first was for a short story titled "Dust". One of those funny little readerly synchronicities. The title, however, is about the only synchronicity because, although both stories allude to the dusty Australian landscape, … Continue reading Frank Dalby Davison, Dusty (#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)
Katharine Susannah Prichard, Christmas tree (#Review)
Commenting on my recent post on Katharine Susannah Prichard's short story "The bridge", Prichard biographer Nathan Hobby, pointed us to an online version in Trove of her short story, "Christmas Tree", which he describes as the best of her early work. It's about farmers, droughts and banks. Seemed very appropriate (to us in Australia right … Continue reading Katharine Susannah Prichard, Christmas tree (#Review)
Katharine Susannah Prichard, The bridge (#Review)
Time for another post on a short story available online, but not, this time, from the Library of America. Indeed, it's not even American, but one of our own - Katharine Susannah Prichard's (KSP) "The bridge". As far as I can tell it has been published at least three times: in 1917 in the Weekly … Continue reading Katharine Susannah Prichard, The bridge (#Review)
Jenny Ackland, Little gods (#BookReview)
The universe is telling me something. Jenny Ackland's Little gods is the second novel I've read in a few months that is set in the Mallee region of northwestern Victoria, the other being Charlie Archbold's Mallee boys (my review). Interestingly, both are coming-of-age novels, both involve farms, and both have a death at the centre. … Continue reading Jenny Ackland, Little gods (#BookReview)
Charlie Archbold, Mallee boys (#BookReview)
Reading synchronicities strike again. Both my last read, John Clanchy's Sisters, and this one, Charlie Archbold's Mallee boys, are family stories with a guilt about the death of a family member at their centre. Both, too, are set in non-urban areas, Clanchy's in coastal New South Wales and Archbold's in the dry Mallee region of … Continue reading Charlie Archbold, Mallee boys (#BookReview)
Sofie Laguna, The choke (#BookReview)
There are many reasons why I wanted to read Sofie Laguna's latest book The choke. Firstly, I was inspired by a very engaging author conversation I attended late last year. Secondly, she won the Miles Franklin with her previous book The eye of the sheep (which I still haven't read). Thirdly, its setting, the Murray River, is … Continue reading Sofie Laguna, The choke (#BookReview)
Delicious descriptions: Stephen Orr’s farm family
When I reviewed Stephen Orr's farm-set novel, The hands, last week, I didn't share many quotes as the post was getting rather long. I decided I'd use my Delicious Descriptions series instead! So, here are three excerpts to show you more of what I so enjoyed about Orr's writing. One aspect I really enjoyed was his dialogue, but it's tricky choosing … Continue reading Delicious descriptions: Stephen Orr’s farm family
Whispering Gums 