On Canaan’s Side continues the story of the Dunnes, the family whose members have appeared in Barry’s books Annie Dunne and A Long, Long Way and in his play The Steward of Christendom. This time it is Annie and Willie Dunne’s sister Lilly, now 89 looking back at her life from the apparent safety of … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – On Canaan’s Side by Sebastian Barry
10 John Donne Poems Everyone Should Read
John Donne is my absolute favourite Metaphysical poet - this list from the Interesting Literature site includes some of his best. The list also includes links to the poems as well as critical analysis. The best and most essential poems by John Donne (1572-1631) John Donne’s poetry is a curious mix of contradictions. At once spiritual … Continue reading 10 John Donne Poems Everyone Should Read
Over the Hills and Far Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOeYPpOblAw I first discovered this song when rounding out the information I had on my great great grandfather William Reader. Born at Staplehurst, Kent in 1822, he enlisted in the 96th Regiment of Foot in December 1842 and with in six months has been shipped out to Van Diemen's Land on garrison duty. The song … Continue reading Over the Hills and Far Away
One Minute Book Review – Australia’s Birthstain : The Startling Legacy of the Convict Era by Babette Smith
This book deals with Australia’s convict beginnings and the attempt, in the century following the ending of transportation, by both families and society, to cover up the past. Smith focuses on the convicts of six ships who are representative of the range of convict experiences and traces their lives from their conviction to freedom. Their … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – Australia’s Birthstain : The Startling Legacy of the Convict Era by Babette Smith
Hobart 1879
Not strictly speaking a photograph but definitely almost photographic in its detail. This pictorial map of Hobart in 1879 by A.C. Cooke is an invaluable resource for researchers and writers. It gives an idea of the life of Hobart at the time - buildings that no longer exist such as the Campbell Street Gaol, unpopulated … Continue reading Hobart 1879
The Lowest Trees
When I am writing I often listen to music, particularly that of the period I am writing about. I believe the need for music is innate in humans. Up until the present time ordinary people have constantly created music whether it a mother singing a lullaby to a child, a family singing around the piano, … Continue reading The Lowest Trees
One Minute Book Review – Wedlock by Wendy Moore
A compelling non-fiction read which traces the marital fortunes of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Lady Strathmore (a forebear of the late Queen Mother). The book details her marriages, and her separation and ultimate divorce from the charismatic and viciously cruel Andrew Stoney as well as the nail biting tale of her abduction and escape. The book … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – Wedlock by Wendy Moore
My Reading – June 2016
Station 11 by Emily St John Mandel The Golden Dice By Elisabeth Storrs Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte No Shred of Evidence by Charles Todd The Visitors by Rebecca Mascull
One Minute Book Review – The Lie by Helen Dunmore
Shell-shocked and haunted by the death of his best friend, Daniel Branwell returns to his childhood village where he no longer has any family ties. He is offered shelter by an elderly blind woman and, when she dies, takes over her isolated cottage setting in train the events and lies, of omission and commission, which … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – The Lie by Helen Dunmore
Hilary Mantel’s Rules for Writers
There are many, many articles out there containing advice for new and developing writers. I skim through most of them, head nodding, thinking 'Yes, I do that'. The other day I stumbled across this article on writing from 2010 by Hilary Mantel which raised some points I hadn't thought much about before. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/feb/22/hilary-mantel-rules-for-writers Several of … Continue reading Hilary Mantel’s Rules for Writers
Catherine Meyrick 