Hope Farm by Peggy Frew, my accidental library pick last week, drew me in from the beginning. I’d planned to borrow Frew’s Islands, longlisted for this year’s Miles Franklin Literary Award. All copies were on loan. I’m glad Hope Farm sat in a pile of returned books waiting to be shelved. Otherwise I might have […]
Category Archives: Reviews
Melting Moments delicious Australian delicacies
Melting Moments, the debut novel of Anna Goldsworthy, deserves to be widely read. It provides both an intimate picture of domestic life and an entertaining social history of women’s lives in Australia during the 20th century. Anna Goldsworthy has written several acclaimed non-fiction books, and has published widely in journals. She is also a concert […]
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The night guest by Fiona McFarlane – a thriller
The night guest, by Fiona McFarlane, tells a chilling story of ageing, dementia – and elder abuse. The author’s debut novel, published in 2013 leads the reader on thrilling roller-coaster ride. I discovered The night guest in a second-hand bookshop recently. I’m glad I did because it mesmerised me from beginning to end.
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Common People by Tony Birch – a review
The common people who fill the pages of Tony Birch’s book of short stories come from all walks of life. The people, and the stories, sometimes tell of great hardship. But they also tell of the kindness and generosity of strangers who make difference and provide hope.
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The Yield by Tara June Winch, a review
The Yield by Wiradjuri author Tara June Winch earned its place on the Miles Franklin Longlist for 2020. The finalist will be announced on 16 July. The author’s first novel, Swallow the Air, won numerous literary awards. Last weekend, many Australians attended Black Lives Matter protests. I chose instead to immerse myself in this beautifully […]
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Exploded View by Carrie Tiffany – review
Exploded View by Carrie Tiffany will take its place at the forefront of both Australian and women’s literature. The winner of the inaugural Stella Prize, the author presents the reader with a dark, tightly controlled and poetic novel which has been long-listed for the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award.
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‘Saving Missy’ by Beth Morrey – a review
Saving Missy, a novel by Beth Morrey, guarantees hours of happy reading in these days of social isolation and physical distancing. Written in first person, the protagonist draws the reader into her story from page one.
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A Fortunate Life – an amazing stage performance
A Fortunate Life, a theatre event unlike any I’ve ever experienced, thrilled and delighted my husband John and me. Guessing from the way the rest of the audience looked and sounded as we left the theatre, we were not alone. The show runs until 4 March in the Ace Cinemas, Midland. You can check the […]
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A Different Shade of Seeing by Elizabeth Brennan
A Different Shade of Seeing, a memoir by my friend, Elizabeth Brennan, delighted me. As Shane McCauley says: ‘We are privileged guests of the author as she shares her thoughts, observations and aspirations. History and folklore are discovered and retold through many incredible anecdotes.’
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Books by Australian women – a challenge
Books by Australian women often fail to attract the reviews they deserve in the general and literary media. Not only that, they often do not appear on lists of best books forthcoming from publishing houses. The Australian Women Writers’ Challenge aims to make up some of the difference in numbers of reviews of women and […]
