Welcome to Litsy!

25-7 Oct 25 (audiobook)
I think I expected more; only a soft pick for me and possibly only because having come through the English department at Melbourne Uni a little less than a decade later, it felt very familiar. For me, this was a cross between Helen Garner‘s diaries and Miranda Darling‘s Thunderhead (as an example of a fictional work that engaged with Virginia Woolf) but not as compelling as either. Not sure what else was up for the Stella?

I was in the mood for some Garner, having been lucky enough to see her speak followed by Tim Winton speaking about her at a conference to honour her and her work a couple of months ago.
This 1992 novel is one of only a few of her books left for me to read. It‘s really three separate but interlinked stories.
As always her writing is exquisite. Although she is an Australian national treasure, she is only now being read more globally. #ozfiction

I enjoyed this more than I expected (after not getting on with an earlier book by de Kretser). The protagonist is intelligent & bookish but it‘s saved from being pretentious by her dysfunctional but (sort of) relatable love life & the on point, muscular writing. A great counterpoint to Woolf‘s work, satire on academia & self-deprecating coming of age. Visceral details felt true to Melbourne & I liked the friendships. Like being with a smart friend

Visited my mom for a few days this week and spent a fair bit of time playing with these guys. Now I'm home and plan to get a lot of reading time in over the next couple of days.

#WonderousWednesday @Eggs

1) I always wanted a name people know how to spell. Like Jane. Easy Peasy.

2) My first pet a dog named Frisco I was 5 and named him after my favorite General Hospital soap opera character 🤣

3) I always loved the name Phryne Fisher from Miss Fishers Murder mystery

Days were yellow in the middle.
Days were mud, paddocks, kelpies, sheep.
Days were helping Jack stir molasses into the feed for the rams.
Days were lemonade scones.
Days were weather.

I‘ve been at the Sydney Writer‘s Festival since Wednesday when this photo was taken. It‘s been hectic catching up with friends and family. I didn‘t get to my first lecture due to the current East Coast Low causing havoc so I took the time to have a nice lunch at Fratelli Fresh at Darling Harbour before heading to the Maritime Museum to listen to Why We Swim. I didn‘t realise how many book releases they do outside the fest dates. I‘ll be back.

The story follows a young woman in 1980s Melbourne who is researching Virginia Woolf while trying to live out her feminist ideals. As she navigates relationships, academic life, and her own contradictions, the novel explores the gap between theory and real life. It‘s thoughtful, sharp book, told in a creative, unusual style.

Brilliant book! There are so many layers here, expertly approached. An exploration of racism, colonialism, feminism, homophobia and Virginia Woolf, as an example of a revered writer (including by me) with very problematic beliefs. Such a great book. My first by Kretser and now I want to read more.

Gotta say, I've wanted to read this for months and I almost bailed... The grown up part of me was shocked by the transient and neglectful lives, the use of drugs and apathy to do much. But remembering the era and the youth made me re consider. I particularly liked the last 50 pages or so as it felt she was accepting herself and her friends.