One of the best things about blogging is the conversation it can engender. I was consequently pleased then when my last post on the Meanjin Tournament got some conversation going about the tournament itself - some thoughtful, respectful conversation. So, before I report on the final round, I thought I'd discuss this a little ... This … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Final, or the Winner is announced
Meanjin
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 2
Round two of this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books has now been played - as of a couple of days before Christmas. Here are the winners Round 2 Match 1: Tim Winton's Breath defeated Kim Scott's That deadman dance Well, I must say I'm surprised. Much as I love both these books - both of which … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 2
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 1
Hmm, when I announced this year's Meanjin Tournament of Books over three weeks ago, I thought I'd be back before now with an update. However, the last match in Round 1 was only posted a couple of days ago, and I wanted to wait until the Round was finished before reporting back. So, here I am … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2013, Round 1
Meanjin Tournament of Books: Goes to Sea in 2013
Surely it can't be a year since the last Meanjin Tournament of Books? But yes, it is. My first post on the 2012 tournament - themed Short Stories - was last November. Wah! This year's theme is the sea. With their tongue surely planted firmly in cheek they announced the theme few months ago: As … Continue reading Meanjin Tournament of Books: Goes to Sea in 2013
Christos Tsiolkas in Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue
I indicated in my recent review of Meanjin's special Canberra issue that I would write another post or two on the issue. This is one of those posts. It may, in fact, be the only one, for who knows where the spirit will lead me next? Right now though, I want to devote a post … Continue reading Christos Tsiolkas in Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue
Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue (Review)
Zora Sanders writes in her Editorial for Meanjin's Canberra Issue that Canberra has (or, is it had) a reputation for being The National Capital of Boredom. This is just one of the many less-than-flattering epithets regularly applied to Canberra: A Cemetery with Lights, Fat Cat City, and the pervasive, A City without a Soul. For me … Continue reading Meanjin’s The Canberra Issue (Review)
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Final, or the Winner is announced
Sorry folks, but I have been slack. Meanjin took a little while to post the final round but I've taken even longer to report back to you. February was not a good reading and blogging month for me as my Past Whisperings link shows. I am, however, back now and ready to post the winner … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Final, or the Winner is announced
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Semi-finals
And so Meanjin's Tournament of Books rolls on - during a hot Australian summer that has been characterised by terrible fires and floods. "I love a sunburnt country" but this is ridiculous. Anyhow, the tournament's semi-finals have been played and the best short stories (sorta) have won. Here they are: Semi-final 1: Thea Astley's 'Hunting … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Semi-finals
Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Round 2
Methinks our Meanjin Tournament of Books judges partied a little too much over the silly season because it has taken a few weeks for the second round to be judged. However, the judging has now concluded and the eight stories have been reduced to four, as follows: Round 2 Match 1: Thea Astley's 'Hunting the … Continue reading Meanjin’s Tournament of Books 2012 (2013), Round 2
Thea Astley, Hunting the wild pineapple (Review)
Thea Astley's "Hunting the wild pineapple" is both a short story and the title of a collection of connected short stories (that includes, of course, the title story). Today I am going to write on the short story as it's one of the 16 included in the current Meanjin Tournament of Books - and it … Continue reading Thea Astley, Hunting the wild pineapple (Review)
Whispering Gums 