Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris I have to admit it's taken me a long time to finish reading volume one of David Sedaris' Theft by Finding 1977-2002 (Photo of David Sedaris above). I've reviewed other books in the past year and posted them on my blog, including Hugh Riminton's Minefields, his compelling … Continue reading The Sedaris Diary: Something to write home about
Books
Strewth! A magnificent memoir of home truths
“What do you call a fart in the bathtub?” It was a question I asked award-winning columnist of The Australian, author, snake lover and bagpipes player, James Jeffrey (Photo above The Australian), a decade or so ago. The answer, of course, is “Gorp,” the sound of a fart in the bath. James liked it and … Continue reading Strewth! A magnificent memoir of home truths
Comic duo Laurel and Hardy’s moments to remember: Tales of Hollywood stranger than fiction
Laurel and Hardy were two of my favourite comedians. Every year on Thanksgiving, a US TV network played one of their old films. We laughed at their jokes and slapstick, with perfect timing and the sheepish face of Stan Laurel and the exasperated reactions of Oliver Hardy providing moments to remember. What brought back that … Continue reading Comic duo Laurel and Hardy’s moments to remember: Tales of Hollywood stranger than fiction
Helen Garner: Everywhere I look I find words chiselled in gold
Preface: It's been a while since I've written a blog post: various reasons, including judging a journalism award; the birth of my fourth grandchild, a boy named Max (you can see him in a photo on my Facebook page); a brief hospital visit; keeping an eye on my team, the Sydney Swans, now with three … Continue reading Helen Garner: Everywhere I look I find words chiselled in gold
Why I can’t trust Donald Trump
I knew it was time to chill out when I got into an argument at the TAB – the local betting agency – over Donald Trump. All I said was I hope I have better luck with my bets on the races than my vote against Donald Trump. Out of the blue, a bloke I … Continue reading Why I can’t trust Donald Trump
An Award and Some Recognition — Tom Gannon Art
My cousin Tom Gannon has received a well-deserved award for his book of poetry, Food For a Journey, by a Canadian arts organisation. He has written a short blurb about the award and the recognition he has garnered from three alumni magazines on his website below (tomgannonart.com). I wrote a review last year and posted … Continue reading An Award and Some Recognition — Tom Gannon Art
Memories of Edward Albee: A playwright who was not afraid of Virginia Woolf
(Photo above of Edward Albee in Sydney in 2009 by Renee Nowytarger, The Australian) This blog post is a bit unusual as it’s been handed over to an old friend of mine, Dr Michael Nardacci. We first met fifty years ago as graduate students at New York University. Mike went on to get his doctorate … Continue reading Memories of Edward Albee: A playwright who was not afraid of Virginia Woolf
Hillary’s health scare has Trump on the rise
It hasn't been a good week for Hillary Clinton. It started with her describing half of Donald Trump's supporters as belonging in a "basket of deplorables ... racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic, you name it," and ended with her having to spend three days recovering from a mild bout of pneumonia. What made matters worse … Continue reading Hillary’s health scare has Trump on the rise
Why Trump will win: Remember Richard Nixon?
Okay, you’ve seen the headline above, and you’re reading this post to see if I’ve gone crazy. Well, no, I’m just accepting the inevitable. Donald Trump is likely to win the presidency on November 8 because not enough Americans will realise how awful he will be and vote for him. They voted for Richard Nixon … Continue reading Why Trump will win: Remember Richard Nixon?
The Writers’ Revolution: Reclaim the book for authors and readers
Most Australian writers don’t make a lot of money. Of course, there are Peter Carey and Tom Keneally, and in the recent past, Colleen McCullough and Bryce Courtenay, and going further back, Patrick White and Morris West, to name a few. They were well looked after by publishers and their marketing and publicity staff and … Continue reading The Writers’ Revolution: Reclaim the book for authors and readers
