The literary-minded in Melbourne need never be bored. The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas will begin filling our lunch breaks and evenings this month. Here's the program for the first three months. I'll be getting along to see Helen Garner, and I love the idea of the Lunchbox/Soapbox sessions which allow you to … Continue reading Speaking of…
Guest review: Elena Gomez on Janine Burke’s Source: Nature’s Healing Role in Art and Writing
Allen & Unwin November 2009 (Aus) 9781741759177 The meticulous research that went into this book is a testament to renowned art historian Janine Burke’s passion for art and its influences. In Source, she explores the resonating impact of nature and environment on the works of various writers and artists of the modern era. I have … Continue reading Guest review: Elena Gomez on Janine Burke’s Source: Nature’s Healing Role in Art and Writing
Eleanor Catton’s The Rehearsal
Granta 2009 (Aus/NZ, US) 9781847081162 All the world’s a stage… A novel as a performance, more – a novel as flirtation (the performance of flirting): self-conscious, inviting yet exclusive. The reader is all the roles, all the characters and all the actors – for in The Rehearsal there are layers of fictional existence – blended, … Continue reading Eleanor Catton’s The Rehearsal
Go west! Perth Writers Fest 2010 program released
I've never been to Western Australia. Isn't that nuts? I've been to Europe, I've been to the USA and I've been to Asia, but never the other side of my own country. Lucky for me, the lovely organisers of Perth Writers Festival have invited me along this year. Besides my sessions, I am expecting to catch … Continue reading Go west! Perth Writers Fest 2010 program released
When they get it right – from book to film
to One of my favourites: to Oh, Virginia! And then something like: to What are your favourite book-to-film adaptations? I love all of the above because the films aren't necessarily 100% true to the plot and characters of the books, but are something wonderful on their own - maintaining something of the 'mood' of the … Continue reading When they get it right – from book to film
‘Obsolescence’ (an extract)
My short story 'Obsolescence' is the story representing the country of Norway (and the city of Bergen) in The Lifted Brow 6: Atlas. There are stories, songs, poems, illustrations and limericks representing every country in the world in this amazing, ambitious issue (book + 2 CDs). I'm so happy to be among contributors like Eddy Current … Continue reading ‘Obsolescence’ (an extract)
Brows will be lifted…
* New short story of mine in The Lifted Brow 6: Atlas, being launched this Friday! My story 'Obsolescence' is a bit of a dark, modern fable set in Bergen, Norway, where my relatives are from. The issue is going to be awesome, with a piece of writing about every country in the world (not … Continue reading Brows will be lifted…
Collected Stories – Richard Yates
Vintage 9780099518549 (Aus, US) When a man is fired from his job in the story ‘A Glutton for Punishment’, he realises he has enjoyed the failures in his life. The character in this – like many of the other characters in Richard Yates’ Collected Stories – runs over a conversation in his head, with his … Continue reading Collected Stories – Richard Yates
Nabokov, you sly ol’ dog
How can someone be this amusing (and amused) and articulate? I'm in love and fascinated and repulsed all at the same time, just as I was reading Lolita... While we're here: Nabokov in audio. Martin Amis on Nabokov. Shelley Winters breaks my heart in Kubrick's film version (for which Nabokov wrote the screenplay): What say you?
Exchanging information
There’s always going to be someone smarter than you in the room. But then – so much of what you know, they may have never encountered. It’s really rewarding to give someone, or a group of people, access to something you use and understand; something you grasp and even love. And I walk away having learnt … Continue reading Exchanging information
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