Joseph Banks thought Botany Bay a suitable place for a penal colony, and with prisons in England overflowing Prime Minister Pitt soon got the transports happening. Continue reading Don Watson, The Bush
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Landmarks of the spirit
Singapore Walk
Some time ago one of us lived in Singapore for a number of years. That was post September 11 and in the days of SARS. The streets were deserted, tourism was down, for a little while life there was slow and peaceful. Continue reading Singapore Walk
Li Bai
Knausgaard’s Dancing in the Dark: more is less
It’s all over between me and Karl Ove. Continue reading Knausgaard’s Dancing in the Dark: more is less
Tomas Transtromer: Tracks
Tomas Transtromer, one of Gert’s favourite poets, died on March 26 2015 at the age of 83.
Gadinchela, Bhutan*
Where in the world would a tour guide spend a week by the bed of a sick tourist, even sleeping on a sofa in her room at night rather than leave her? Continue reading Gadinchela, Bhutan*
Football
I do indeed judge the game as a disgrace…. Continue reading Football
Lucy Wood: Weathering
Lucy Wood’s 2012 short story collection Diving Belles was likened to the work of Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood, and the cover of her first novel Weathering quotes Michel Faber: Fresh, distinctive voices are actually very rare. Lucy Wood has one. Continue reading Lucy Wood: Weathering
Crane Mansions review
In terms of literary comparisons, I saw the name Roald Dahl, but I’d also throw in the Lemony Snicket books–although I think Crane Mansions is superior. This is really a very, very funny story–a beguiling blend of Victorianism with the temptations of the modern world… Continue reading Crane Mansions review