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 think I knew about the film before the book, but I’m yet to see it. The main reasons I wanted to read it … Continue reading 20 Classics #9: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
romance
The epic qualities of outwardly ordinary lives: By Nightfall and Michael Cunningham in Australia
By Nightfall, Michael Cunningham, HarperCollins (Aus pb, Aus ebook, US and Kindle, UK) Over the past few days I’ve been in the audience of four sessions featuring my favourite American author Michael Cunningham. Cunningham’s latest novel is By Nightfall. I've drafted a few posts on it since I read it, but was never able to adequately … Continue reading The epic qualities of outwardly ordinary lives: By Nightfall and Michael Cunningham in Australia
Whole-hearted lovers and layers of history: an interview with Mardi McConnochie, author of The Voyagers
Viking, May 2011 9780670075966 (Aus, ebook) Stead, a sailor, arrives in Sydney Harbour in 1943. He hasn't seen Marina for five years, and yet he can't forget the three days they spent together prior to the war. Some undeniable connection had been forged. He finds out she failed to enrol in the music school she was … Continue reading Whole-hearted lovers and layers of history: an interview with Mardi McConnochie, author of The Voyagers
Let's read writing by women
A new committee is being set up to pursue equal rights for women writers in Australia. Besides research, lobbying and setting up mentorships, the committee is looking at establishing a literary prize for Australian women writers, along the lines of the UK's Orange Prize. The steering committee (including novelist and publisher Sophie Cunningham, critic and … Continue reading Let's read writing by women
A literary proposal
A review copy of Christopher Currie's debut novel The Ottoman Motel is sitting neatly in my to-read pile, but the final edition that is officially released on 2 May and is circulating now contains a very special message on the acknowledgements page. Click here to take a look: Chris Currie's proposal But how did it all … Continue reading A literary proposal
Exquisite restraint, maximum expression: an interview with Colm Tóibín (part one)
Brooklyn Colm Toibin (Aus, US) Picador 9780330425612 Acclaimed Irish novelist Colm Tóibín was recently in Australia for the Sydney Writers Festival as well as events in Melbourne, including one for the Wheeler Centre. I caught up with Tóibín at his Melbourne hotel to ask him some questions about writing and his latest novel Brooklyn, which I recently had … Continue reading Exquisite restraint, maximum expression: an interview with Colm Tóibín (part one)
Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Forest of Hands and Teeth Carrie Ryan Gollancz 9780575090859 2009 (Aus, US) Mary's village is surrounded by tall fences to keep out the 'Unconsecrated'. It is the only world she has ever known, but she remembers her mother's stories of the world before the return - tales of tall buildings, and a vast expanse … Continue reading Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Sexy romance + serious issues: Toni Jordan on Addition
Addition (Text, Aus/Polebridge, US) is a sexy, smart, funny and totally refreshing read. It's the story of numerical-obsessive Grace, and her unique navigation of life. When Grace meets Seamus, her lifestyle comes into question - the counting, the obsession with dead mathematician Nicola Tesla, the careful structures of her daily life. Can she fall messily … Continue reading Sexy romance + serious issues: Toni Jordan on Addition
Such sensual books I've read lately – Rachael King's The Sound of Butterflies
Picador, 2008, 9780330449175 (Aus, US) In 1904, Sophie awaits her husband at the train station in Richmond. He is returning from the heart of the Brazilian jungle, seeking a mysterious, rumoured species of butterfly. When he arrives at the station Thomas is a shadow - scarred with insect bites, thin, and not speaking at all. The narrative of … Continue reading Such sensual books I've read lately – Rachael King's The Sound of Butterflies
Punk Romance and Time Travel – an interview with Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler's Wife is a highly absorbing read with quirk, warmth and genuine romance. It follows the connecting stories of Henry, who suffers from spontaneous time travel, and Clare, his destined partner. LiteraryMinded caught up with Audrey Niffenegger somewhere in time and space to ask her a few questions about the novel... The … Continue reading Punk Romance and Time Travel – an interview with Audrey Niffenegger
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