Geraldine Brooks, Memorial days (#BookReview)

May 17, 2026May 17, 2026 / Whispering Gums / 12 Comments

Grief memoirs are a problematic lot. Some of us love them, some of us hate them, while others, including me, sit somewhere in the middle. The most recent I've read, Marion Halligan's Words for Lucy (my review) and Gideon Haigh's My brother Jaz (my review) were moving, intelligent books that added something to my understanding. … Continue reading Geraldine Brooks, Memorial days (#BookReview)

Marion Halligan, Words for Lucy (#BookReview)

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 / Whispering Gums / 28 Comments

For my reading group's tribute to Marion Halligan last year, I had planned to read one of her older novels, Wishbone, which I did (my review), and her last book, the memoir Words for Lucy, which I didn't. But, I have now. I guess a book born of a mother's grief for a daughter who … Continue reading Marion Halligan, Words for Lucy (#BookReview)

Margaret Rose Stringer, And then like my dreams (Review)

January 17, 2014August 20, 2019 / Whispering Gums / 25 Comments

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)

Oh yes, Bill, in that case you should! And I’d like to read more. I didn’t read or see Once…

For all the Indigenous writing I read, I haven't read any from NZ. The closest I've got is to see…

That sounds a goer Melanie … and could be fun … I’ll email you about timing?

I can get it, yes. No need to read to a specific date. Maybe something like by the end of…

Love all this Melanie … I saw your American Psycho review pop up on my feed and will be reading…