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
Australian history
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
Guest review: Matthew Giles on Parting With My Sex by Lucy Chesser
Sydney University Press 9781920898311 reviewed by Matthew Giles In his CAL/Meanjin essay of last year, Paul Daley argued that young Australians aren’t coerced by the state to think about their history in militaristic terms. He said that they do it on their own, because a militarised history is naturally more interesting. He was rebutting Marilyn … Continue reading Guest review: Matthew Giles on Parting With My Sex by Lucy Chesser
I’m Afraid of the Five-Blade Razor – Book Review and Commentary
Affluenza: When Too Much is Never Enough - Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. Allen & Unwin, 2005, 9781741146714 (Aus, US/Kindle) Three years ago Clive Hamilton half-jokingly referred to the possibility of the five-blade razor. It comes as no surprise that his prediction has come true, and emphasises why Affluenza continues to be an extremely relevant … Continue reading I’m Afraid of the Five-Blade Razor – Book Review and Commentary
The Trout Opera by Matthew Condon
Random House Vintage, 9781740510325, November 2007, $32.95 (TPB) (UK pb). First published in the October 2007 issue of BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER magazine (c) 2007 Thorpe-Bowker (a division of RR Bowker LLC) http://www.bookseller+publisher.com.au/ Wilfred Lampe has experienced a whole century in the Snowy River town of Dalgety. He’s a part of the landscape, its consistencies and … Continue reading The Trout Opera by Matthew Condon
Matthew Condon – Interview
First published in the October 2007 issue of BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER magazine (c) 2007 Thorpe-Bowker (a division of RR Bowker LLC) http://www.bookseller+publisher.com.au/ The Trout Opera sprang from an encounter with a Dalgety local, stories of the place, and much research. What were you most inspired by when you first visited the place? I hadn't been … Continue reading Matthew Condon – Interview
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