Janet Frame is one of my all-time favourite authors. Her writing is surprising, absurd, knowing, funny, sad, dark, moving, imaginative and honest. She was an incredibly hard-working writer, often having to work in uncomfortable or strange conditions (while overcoming much personal tragedy). I've read quite a few of her novels; plus her short fiction, her … Continue reading Review of Janet Frame’s In the Memorial Room for The Australian
the Australian
The Dinner by Herman Koch reviewed in the Australian
My review of black satire The Dinner, by Dutch author Herman Koch, has been published in the Australian. You can read the review here (it doesn't seem to be pay-walled). — Just wanted to let you all know I've been away all week with my family—sad circumstances, but we're all OK—and I'm very busy over the next … Continue reading The Dinner by Herman Koch reviewed in the Australian
The best books I read in 2011, as told to the Australian
This first appeared in the Australian over the weekend of 24 & 25 December, 2011. Thanks to Stephen Romei for seeking my contribution. In 2011 I caught up on some classics: I enjoyed being isolated with aging actor/director Charles Arrowby in Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea. I took to sea with Gulliver on his … Continue reading The best books I read in 2011, as told to the Australian
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
Review of The Meowmorphosis by Franz Kafka & Coleridge Cook in the Australian
First, let me apologise for the recent lack of fully formed blog posts. From next week I may have a bit more time for that (staying in the country). I'm giving my paper in a couple of days in London and have been super busy with work, sightseeing and drinking too much. I promise I'll … Continue reading Review of The Meowmorphosis by Franz Kafka & Coleridge Cook in the Australian
Creative flaccidity
It doesn't happen often, but I'm feeling a bit that way today. And it's frustrating. Because I only really have a few hours on the weekend to work on fiction. I tapped out about 1000 words of 90s novel, but they weren't very inspired. They were limp and floppy. Hopefully next weekend will be better. … Continue reading Creative flaccidity
