I’m reading 20 classic, modern-classic or cult books. Read more about this project here. See the other classics here. Why did I want to read it? I haven’t yet reviewed an Australian classic in this series, and The Lifted Brow also asked me to choose one of the Text Classics range to introduce for their October issue. There was a … Continue reading 20 classics #13: The Fortunes of Richard Mahony by Henry Handel Richardson
Month: September 2012
On blogging, social media, reading & writing
I was recently interviewed by David Minh Tran at The Signal Express, a publication by Express Media. He asked me about my long-term blogging life, my thoughts on social media, my short stories, and he asked some very tricky questions about favourite books and authors. You can check it out here. Express Media are a great organisation, I've … Continue reading On blogging, social media, reading & writing
Treasures from the past: Belinda Castles on Hannah and Emil
Belinda Castles is the author of Falling Woman and The River Baptists (for which she won the 2006 Australian/Vogel Award). Her latest novel is Hannah and Emil, which traces two characters across Europe, the UK and Australia and charts their complex struggles, and the love that pulls them through. Emil fights for Germany in WWI but is forced from his … Continue reading Treasures from the past: Belinda Castles on Hannah and Emil
A character unearthed in family history
I was in Wollongong late last week for a lovely service for my grandmother, attended by much of her family, including her brother, nieces and cousins from Captain's Flat, NSW. I learnt so much more about my Nanna, particularly through hearing stories about her father, a family legend, 'Bullocky' Bill Thompson. But I'm not going … Continue reading A character unearthed in family history
Qantas SOYA People’s Choice: love me love me love me
Earlier this year I entered the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards in the Written Word category. I was highly commended, which was lovely—something to put on the CV—but now I have a chance at the People's Choice Award, which comes with a flight voucher (which would truly come in handy). If you're a fan of my writing, … Continue reading Qantas SOYA People’s Choice: love me love me love me
Guest post: Troy Martin on Ian McEwan’s Sweet Tooth
Jonathan Cape (Random House) 9780224097383 September 2012 (buy paperback, ebook) reviewed by Troy Martin This isn’t a spy drama. Ian McEwan’s Sweet Tooth is more than a novel of London or the 1970s. It’s bound with literary references, but you do not need a companion to English literature to enjoy this novel. That is the most … Continue reading Guest post: Troy Martin on Ian McEwan’s Sweet Tooth
What can a photograph tell us?
Did you hear the news about the daguerreotype that is potentially an image of Emily Dickinson? It's only the second known photograph of the reclusive poet, and it's a very striking image. For some reason I am so drawn to it, and I can't figure out why. Is it because she was so enigmatic, that … Continue reading What can a photograph tell us?
Melbourne Writers Festival 2012: summary
I write again from bed, still recovering from this ridiculously prolonged cold. Despite not feeling the best for much of the second weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2012 Melbourne Writers Festival and my roles as Morning Read MC and official blogger. There were five Morning Read sessions, each featuring four (diverse) writers. The audience seemed … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2012: summary
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