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)
Historical fiction
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Marilyn of Me, You and Books
I first "met" Marilyn earlier this year when she decided to take part in the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2012. There aren't many non-Australians who have signed up for this challenge so Texas-resident Marilyn stood out. She is a retired professor of a small liberal arts school in the USA, where she taught women’s history, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post from Marilyn of Me, You and Books
Nancy Cato, All the rivers run, Book 1 (Review)
It's been a long time since I reviewed an audiobook or, more accurately, reviewed a book via its audiobook version. As I've said before, I don't listen often to audiobooks, but last month Mr Gums and I did a long drive and so decided to listen to Nancy Cato's All the rivers run. I referred … Continue reading Nancy Cato, All the rivers run, Book 1 (Review)
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)
Amitav Ghosh, River of smoke (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
I'm rather sorry that I haven't read Amitav Ghosh's Sea of poppies because, while River of smoke does work on its own, I think my experience would have been richer had I read the beginning of the trilogy. This shouldn't affect its Man Asian Literary Prize chances, but you never know. I loved that the … Continue reading Amitav Ghosh, River of smoke (Review for the Shadow Man Asian Literary Prize, 2011)
Leslie Cannold, The book of Rachael
For someone who doesn't seek out historical fiction, I seem to have read a lot of it lately. Leslie Cannold's The book of Rachael is the third historical novel I've read in succession - and it's the third with an author's afterword/postscript, which suggests to me some uncertainty in the writers about historical fiction. Tansley quoted Doris Lessing's statement … Continue reading Leslie Cannold, The book of Rachael
Geraldine Brooks, Caleb’s crossing
In the Afterword to her latest novel, Caleb's crossing, which was inspired by the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, Geraldine Brooks describes the reactions of members of the Wampanoag Tribe: Individual tribal members have been encouraging and generous in sharing information and insights and in reading early drafts. Others have been frank … Continue reading Geraldine Brooks, Caleb’s crossing
Tangea Tansley, A break in the chain: The early Kozminskys
In the postscript to her novel A break in the chain, Tangea Tansley quotes Doris Lessing's statement that 'fiction is better at "the truth" than a factual record'. This gets to the nub of my challenge with this book, which is a fictionalised account of three generations of the author's family, particularly her great grandparents … Continue reading Tangea Tansley, A break in the chain: The early Kozminskys
Kim Scott, That deadman dance
(Image courtesy Picador Australia) About a third of the way into Kim Scott's novel That deadman dance is this: We thought making friends was the best thing, and never knew that when we took your flour and sugar and tea and blankets that we'd lose everything of ours. We learned your words and songs and stories, and never … Continue reading Kim Scott, That deadman dance
Alan Gould, The lakewoman: A romance
I'm a little embarrassed to say that until The lakewoman was shortlisted in the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards, I only knew of Alan Gould as a poet. Turns out, though, that he has written several novels, of which this one is his most recent. It is, ostensibly, a war novel, in that much of it is set … Continue reading Alan Gould, The lakewoman: A romance
Whispering Gums 