My review of Gail Jones' Sorry (Aus, US) appears in the latest Australian Women's Book Review. Sorry is Gail Jones's most important and accessible book to date. Perdita is born late in life to immigrant parents Nicholas and Stella. They have come from England so Nicholas can study anthropology. In Broome they keep a ramshackle … Continue reading Modes of Connection – a review of Sorry by Gail Jones
Reviews + Analyses
Books, poetry, journals and the occassional film…
Swallow The Sound – Krissy Kneen
Think of biting into a ripe juicy strawberry, or the warm and heady scent of date scones the moment you break them open to pour on the honey. Reading one of the three bite-sized erotica-themed stories in Krissy Kneen’s Swallow the Sound is a similar palatable pleasure. Despite the sensual stimulation (goosebumpy skin, watering mouth, … Continue reading Swallow The Sound – Krissy Kneen
The Company of the Dead – David Kowalski
First published in the July 2007 issue of BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER magazine (c) 2007 Thorpe-Bowker (a division of RR Bowker LLC) http://www.bookseller+publisher.com.au/ In 2012 the world is occupied by German and Japanese forces. America is divided. Agent Kennedy of the Confederate has always felt that something in his world is amiss. His thoughts are confirmed … Continue reading The Company of the Dead – David Kowalski
A Note of Madness – Tabitha Suzuma
2006, Random House, 978009948731 (US, Aus) First published in Viewpoint, vol. 15, no. 2, Winter 2007 Flynn attends the Royal College of Music in London. He has a close relationship with his friends Harry and Jennah. His Professors believe strongly in his potential. So why is he beginning to doubt it? Flynn starts ‘going underground’, … Continue reading A Note of Madness – Tabitha Suzuma
Literature Aspiring Writers Should Read – Part 1
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov (1955) Skills acquired by reading: · The way to seduce readers with lyricism · The ability to describe desire so that the reader will be both compelled and sickened · The ability to plant a wry smile on a readers face despite him/herself · The way to challenge censors, even personal … Continue reading Literature Aspiring Writers Should Read – Part 1
Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight – Nick Earls & Rebecca Sparrow
August 2007, Penguin, 9780143006916 (Aus) First published in the June 2007 issue of BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER magazine (c) 2007 Thorpe-Bowker (a division of RR Bowker LLC) http://www.bookseller+publisher.com.au Joel and Cat have been set an assignment to create a tandem story together. But there’s no way that Joel and Cat are going to agree on anything. … Continue reading Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight – Nick Earls & Rebecca Sparrow
Racists – Kunal Basu
2006, Phoenix, 9780753821503 (Aus, US) The ultimate experiment. A black boy and a white girl, raised equally as savages by a mute Nurse on a desolate island. Her only instruction is to keep them alive. It is 1855, and expert British Craniologist Samuel Bates is debating with French scientist Jean-Louis Belavoix about racial superiority. The … Continue reading Racists – Kunal Basu
In the Blood – Jackie French
2001, Harper Collins, 9780207197796 Jackie French is a very prolific Australian writer. In the Blood is the first in a trilogy which is intended for those a little older than her regular audience. While it is probably located in the Young Adult section in a bookstore it could just as easily be categorised as general … Continue reading In the Blood – Jackie French
Eatbooks Literary Journal – Review
Any fan of good fiction should check out the inaugural edition of Eatbooks, the brain-child of Christopher Currie and Krissy Kneen. The two emerging authors and literary-lovers worked together at Brisbane’s Avid Reader Bookshop. The Journal and Eatbooks website are an effort to publish and showcase quality literary fiction, which is not being published enough … Continue reading Eatbooks Literary Journal – Review
Zodiac – Film Review
*SPOILERS* David Fincher shows restraint in his most recent killer-portrait pic. It has none of the blood-lust of Se7en or Fight Club, though there are a few gut-wrenching scenes. Instead, it is a compelling sleuth story that leaves the audience with a sense of unease. Just how many killers aren’t brought to justice due to … Continue reading Zodiac – Film Review
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