Today's guest post comes courtesy of my dear colleague Libby.Libby has been almost as excited as me about the possibilities for AusReading Month and she jumped at the chance to write about her 4 favourite Australian books.
This is what she had to say...
"Eucalyptus by Murray Bail - An exquisite fairytale set in a one-horse town in NSW.
The father will only agree to marry off his daughter to the man who can name all the eucalypts on his property.
Delicious writing and an award winner."
There Should Be More Dancing by Rosalie Ham - An amusing story of old-aged women who live in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Margery's family want her to move into a nursing home but with great determination these life-long neighbours hold out to keep their independence.
Indelible Ink by Fiona McGregor - Set in the summer heat of Mosman, Sydney, a recently divorced lady transforms her life with a visit to a tattoo artist in Kings Cross.
Despite her adult children being fairly indifferent to their mother and lonely life, her life flourishes with newfound freedom.
Funny, sad and beautifully written."
Gilgamesh by Joan London - Set in the remote bush of Western Australia in Nunderup before it even appeared on a map, cousins arrive from the Middle East.
Edith and Francis are enchanted by the visitors.
As the story unfolds, Edith travels to Armenia with her baby to reunite with the baby's father.
Beautifully written fable."
I've only read Eucalyptus from Libby's selection - many years ago for my bookclub. I barely remembered it, so I dug out my old notes and found these comments...
"A Shakespearean style comedy with a fairytale father/daughter relationship disguised by a whole lot of bloody tree stuff!! Side stories more interesting that the main drama."
But that's what I love about books and reading - so many different opinions and reactions and interpretations to the same book.
Eucalyptus is one of my all-time favourite books, it's one of those books that's not only wonderful in and of itself, but every time I read it it makes every bit of me thrum. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but whenever you find a book that just clicks with you, it becomes very precious.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the others, but it's great to have some new titles to look into.
I've been wondering ever since talking to Libby about Eucalyptus whether I should try it again. Your enthusiastic comment makes it even more likely that I'll try it again sometime soon - thanks :-)
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