Anna Funder made her name with the much-hailed and widely published nonfiction work Stasiland. Her first novel, All That I Am—already a bestseller and winner of multiple awards—has just been awarded the Miles Franklin Literary Award for 2012. Congratulations Anna! Recommended reading: Miles Franklin winner Anna Funder finds out it's all about her, award coverage by Stephen Romei … Continue reading Anna Funder’s All That I Am wins 2012 Miles Franklin
A Drink with Chris Flynn
Chris Flynn recently released his debut novel A Tiger in Eden, a fast-paced, hilarious and surprisingly touching novel about a tough guy stuck in 'paradise'. I sat down with the talented, funny Flynn—wearer of many hats besides author, such as editor and reviewer—over a drink at Pugg Mahones in Carlton. Chris talks about his hard-man character Billy, growing … Continue reading A Drink with Chris Flynn
That noticing thing: Emily Perkins on The Forrests
Bloomsbury, May 2012 9781408809235 (buy paperback, ebook) I recently posted my review of New Zealand author Emily Perkins' latest novel The Forrests (read it here), one of my favourite books of the year so far. I was also asked to conduct a Q&A with Emily Perkins for Bookseller+Publisher's April/May 2012 issue. It's re-published here with their permission. I hope you enjoy … Continue reading That noticing thing: Emily Perkins on The Forrests
LiteraryMinded does Sydney Film Festival 2012
I'm officially on holidays (though still doing some reviews etc.) and enjoying the Sydney Film Festival, good friends, whisky bars... I'm not sure if I'll blog (at length) about the fest. I've set two activities instead. The main one is to take something from the film I've just seen and write something creative from it. So … Continue reading LiteraryMinded does Sydney Film Festival 2012
Introducing The Rag and Bone Man Press
I was recently invited to the launch of The Rag and Bone Man Press and though I couldn't make it due to Emerging Writers' Fest activities, their website had me intrigued. I decided to find out more... You've just launched The Rag and Bone Man Press. What sets you apart from other small press publishers? … Continue reading Introducing The Rag and Bone Man Press
Casual fate: Taking Shelter by Jessica Anderson
Published in 1989, by Penguin Jessica Anderson (1916-2010) won the Miles Franklin Literary Award twice, for Tirra Lirra by the River in 1978 and The Impersonators in 1980. Taking Shelter is one of her less lauded novels (they all sound quite different). I picked it up mainly because of one of the cover blurbs: 'A provocative … Continue reading Casual fate: Taking Shelter by Jessica Anderson
Sensation and survival: The Forrests by Emily Perkins
Bloomsbury, May 2012 9781408809235 (buy paperback, ebook) A version of this review first appeared in Bookseller+Publisher, April/May 2012 Dorothy Forrest is seven years old when the Forrests move from New York, with dwindling money, to New Zealand. At the opening of the novel, Frank, the father, is capturing his children on a movie camera, trying to make … Continue reading Sensation and survival: The Forrests by Emily Perkins
20 classics #12: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
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’d only read Emma and Pride and Prejudice of Austen's novels, and when I heard that Northanger Abbey was a sort of satire of the gothic novel, I was intrigued. I also visited Bath … Continue reading 20 classics #12: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Fragments from the Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012
‘As a writer, what you leave out says as much as what you put in.’—Jeanette Winterson — Lying in the hotel room—white walls, painted beams and sheets—feeling sick with nerves, scribbling questions in the margins of questions. Jeanette Winterson, so far away from me in the Opera House that I cannot make out her face. … Continue reading Fragments from the Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012
Shortlist for Kibble and Dobbie Literary Awards announced
Need a recommendation for more great books by Australian women? Well the shortlists for the Kibble and Dobbie awards have just been announced. The Kibble Literary Award ($30,000) recognises the work of an established Australian female writer, and the Dobbie Award ($5000) is for the first published work of an Australian female writer. The shortlists … Continue reading Shortlist for Kibble and Dobbie Literary Awards announced
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