The third book in Pat Barker's Life Class trilogy takes up the story of Elinor Brooke, Paul Tarrant and Kit Neville in 1940, over twenty years after the events of the first two books ( 1 -Life Class and 2-Toby's Room) The world is at war again and London is suffering sustained aerial bombing. As … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – Noonday by Pat Barker
My Reading – July 2016
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte Life Class by Pat Barker Nelly Dean by Alison Case Sleeper's Castle by Barbara Erskine Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
One Minute Book Review – Sun on the Stubble by Colin Thiele
The first time I laughed out loud while reading a book in public occurred reading Sun on the Stubble on the tram home from school, aged twelve. Although considered a children’s book, this is one book that I am happy to read again and again. Bruno Gunther is the youngest son of a hardworking German … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – Sun on the Stubble by Colin Thiele
Marvellous Melbourne
It is amazing the gems that can be found courtesy of google. This is a film by Charles Cozens Spencer called 'Marvellous Melbourne (Australia): Queen City of the South'. The music accompanying it is 'Mock Morris" by Melbourne's Percy Grainger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvqFnfA76zA I don't think the film does justice to Australia's own game of football so … Continue reading Marvellous Melbourne
One Minute Book Review – Nelly Dean by Alison Case
A retelling of Wuthering Heights, once again from the point of view of the housekeeper, Nelly Dean. This time Nelly relates those elements that she withheld in the original story. The characters in Case’s story retain the personalities of the original but Nelly Dean attempts to explain their motivations and to provide hidden meaning to … Continue reading One Minute Book Review – Nelly Dean by Alison Case
Opening lines
Lately, there have been a number of lists floating around the web of great opening lines from literature. One the basis of these single sentences most people would want to read further. Here I have put together the opening one or two lines of a dozen of my favourite books. While most of them do … Continue reading Opening lines
One Minute Book Review – On Canaan’s Side by Sebastian Barry
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
Catherine Meyrick 