Welcome to Litsy!

25-7 Oct 25 (audiobook)
I think I expected more; only a soft pick for me and possibly only because having come through the English department at Melbourne Uni a little less than a decade later, it felt very familiar. For me, this was a cross between Helen Garner‘s diaries and Miranda Darling‘s Thunderhead (as an example of a fictional work that engaged with Virginia Woolf) but not as compelling as either. Not sure what else was up for the Stella?

I enjoyed this more than I expected (after not getting on with an earlier book by de Kretser). The protagonist is intelligent & bookish but it‘s saved from being pretentious by her dysfunctional but (sort of) relatable love life & the on point, muscular writing. A great counterpoint to Woolf‘s work, satire on academia & self-deprecating coming of age. Visceral details felt true to Melbourne & I liked the friendships. Like being with a smart friend

Visited my mom for a few days this week and spent a fair bit of time playing with these guys. Now I'm home and plan to get a lot of reading time in over the next couple of days.

Days were yellow in the middle.
Days were mud, paddocks, kelpies, sheep.
Days were helping Jack stir molasses into the feed for the rams.
Days were lemonade scones.
Days were weather.

The story follows a young woman in 1980s Melbourne who is researching Virginia Woolf while trying to live out her feminist ideals. As she navigates relationships, academic life, and her own contradictions, the novel explores the gap between theory and real life. It‘s thoughtful, sharp book, told in a creative, unusual style.

Brilliant book! There are so many layers here, expertly approached. An exploration of racism, colonialism, feminism, homophobia and Virginia Woolf, as an example of a revered writer (including by me) with very problematic beliefs. Such a great book. My first by Kretser and now I want to read more.