UQP, March 2012 9780702239229 (buy paperback) A few years ago I read and enjoyed The Comfort of Figs by Simon Cleary, and I was excited to receive his new book Closer to Stone in the mail. It's about a young Australian man who travels to Northern Africa in the mid '90s in search of his missing brother. As I … Continue reading Closer to Stone by Simon Cleary
religion
Review of Daniel Stein, Interpreter by Ludmila Ulitskaya in the Australian
I have a review in the Weekend Australian of the novel Daniel Stein, Interpreter by Russian author Ludmila Ulitskaya (translated into English by Arch Tait). The book is published in Australia by Scribe (paperback). The review begins: 'Oswald Rufeisen, known as Brother Daniel, was a Polish Jew who converted to Catholicism while hiding in a monastery during … Continue reading Review of Daniel Stein, Interpreter by Ludmila Ulitskaya in the Australian
20 Classics #8: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
I’m reading 20 classic, modern-classic or cult books. I aimed to read them all in 2011, but that's beginning to look unlikely. Read more about this project here. Why did I want to read it? I had vague ideas about Gulliver’s Travels. I remembered Ted Danson being tied up by some little people in a film version I … Continue reading 20 Classics #8: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Guest review: Raili Simojoki on Benjamin Law’s The Family Law
The Family Law Benjamin Law Black Inc. 9781863954785 June 2010 (Aus, US) Reviewed by Raili Simojoki. Benjamin Law’s first book, The Family Law, is a collection of themed essays about his eccentric yet endearing family. His shorter pieces offer quirky insights into eclectic topics such as green burial, sleep deprivation, homosexuality healing workshops, and 90s … Continue reading Guest review: Raili Simojoki on Benjamin Law’s The Family Law
Turbulence
A conversation with the self: ‘Here we go.' 'Of course.' 'It’s normal, don’t worry’. 'But this swoop in my chest!' ‘It’s just anxiety, you’re dizzy, it’s nothing. It’s just a bit windy out.’ ‘But what of this pressure. I have no control. I can’t feel my face. Oh God.’ ‘When you think about it, it … Continue reading Turbulence
LiteraryMinded 