Note: This review/interview is uncensored and contains swearing. The Slap (Aus, US) is a novel that grabs you by your tender spots, squeezes, and doesn't let go. Set in contemporary Melbourne and its suburbs, a man slaps another person's child at a barbeque. From there, the narrative expands out to the lives of several characters of … Continue reading ‘Discomfort is sometimes what is most precious to me about great art’ – Christos Tsiolkas on The Slap
Month: January 2009
From the LiteraryMinded inbox…
I get emails quite often from people who read LM, usually a few lines saying they enjoy the blog, or letting me know about an event coming up, or a book I might be interested in. But this is by far the best 'fan' email I have gotten, a story in itself. Michael said I could use his … Continue reading From the LiteraryMinded inbox…
Twenty-four and There's So Much More…
F**k. I just wrote a whole post and it completely disappeared. Yes I was saving as I went. I blame the Establishment. Anyhoo. I had an energetic, positive week with a few sharp downcurves, followed by quick recoveries. Here's a small summary. Monday - work, die hair, yoga. Tuesday - lunch w/ Krissy Kneen (yum!), … Continue reading Twenty-four and There's So Much More…
The Steele Diaries – Wendy James
Vintage, 2008, 9781740513845 Ruth comes from a line of artists, but preferred to study medicine and become a doctor like her father. When her father passes away, she is forced to leave the city and head home to arrange everything. A man called Douglas Grant calls, who had written a biography of her grandmother - bohemian artist … Continue reading The Steele Diaries – Wendy James
I'd Like to Introduce You to Two of My Favourite Poets
Sean M Whelan's and Nathan Curnow's poems are very different in both style and theme, but come from much the same place. Nathan captures the poignancy of childhood and the wonderment of parenthood, nostalgia and love in his chapbook No Other Life But This through tiny observations - an arm through a sleeve, a question, a coffee … Continue reading I'd Like to Introduce You to Two of My Favourite Poets
Smells, Snugglepot, Springsteen Vibes, Sleepers and Stuff
Ah, to write. To do it for the joy alone. I am addicted to creating and recording. I am also addicted to discovery. How does that writer do it? How did they come up with that? How did they capture just how that feels, or what it would feel like, or how it would feel to be … Continue reading Smells, Snugglepot, Springsteen Vibes, Sleepers and Stuff
I might be related to Stephenie Meyer
I keep seeing my name around lately. One thing I'm glad of is that Stephenie pronounces it the same way as me. Not Mayer, but Mier. I haven't read the books yet. Maybe I will someday. I don't mind the odd bit of Undead sexual tension here and there. Sure, hype can often be a turn-off. … Continue reading I might be related to Stephenie Meyer
Literary Space – Paul Morgan
Paul Morgan, author of Turner's Paintbox, The Pelagius Book and The Art of Richard Hughes says: I have no writing room. In fact, I rarely work in the house. I feel too vulnerable to distraction there, knowing that at any moment the phone could ring or someone might knock on the door and my ‘zone' … Continue reading Literary Space – Paul Morgan
Overland 193
Summer 2008, ed. Jeff Sparrow, 9780980534603 Another stimulating issue of a journal that dares to challenge you. By this I don't mean just political stimulation (thought there is plenty of that there) but through non-mainstream points of observation. Overland generally gives you a variety of pieces on topics you may not have even thought of thinking about, if you know what … Continue reading Overland 193
The Swing, Bad Seeds, Mook Launch, and the Crunch
Getting back into the swing of things has been slow. Work has been busy, but reading and writing has slowed-up a little at the moment. '90s novel' is taking its time. I'm working on it a bit this weekend, but I have a few other focuses too. Working on some very cool things for the … Continue reading The Swing, Bad Seeds, Mook Launch, and the Crunch
LiteraryMinded 