Anthony Panegyres on writing and reading

A Tiny Bit Political: Economic Reform and Mining

2012-02-26T05:14:00.007-08:00

A Tiny Bit Political: Economic Reform and Mining

I had the pleasure of seeing a number of great acts at the Perth Writers' Festival over the weekend and it is now fast becoming one of my favourite events on the yearly calendar. I bought the following books: The Australian Movement by George Megalogenis (I read all his work - the beauty is that he adds cultural elements as well as being a great analyst in both political and economic terms), Making Trouble by Robert Manne, Prime Cut by Alan Carter and The Waterboys by Peter Docker (with whom I had a few friendly chats).

I do not intend to turn this blog into a political one. But I suppose I'll make this an exception - plus it was at a writers' festival.

I ventured an audience question to Peter Cleary and Robert Manne, and although I am not usually prone to nerves, my voice trembled. I said to Robert Manne and Peter Cleary that quite often in Australia there is a lack of economic reform in times of prosperity which affects us a decade later. Basically implying that Menzies' lack of reform did not aid Whitlam, Hawke and Keating aided Howard, and the Howard of later years and the recent Labor government have not done a lot either, so despite our relatively blissful times on a current global scale, we are not ensuring that the next decade will be as equally stable (Rudd certainly tried but the mining magnates bullied and bamboozled him as did Gillard and Swan - I still cannot fathom why he did not wait for a new term before taking on tax reform with regards to a monster like the mining industry). I then agreed with Cleary in his praise of the Norwegian model, in which the tax on mining is very high and the national government has a sizable stake in the companies too. I then asked Cleary: How do you battle the corporate campaigners? We saw what happened to Rudd. How do you change the nation's psyche regarding the issue?

Manne answered for him and I felt chuffed by his reply that it was an excellent question. Later on outside, Robert saw me and came over to reiterate that he thought it an excellent question and Cleary agreed and continued the conversation providing his own answer. (I would rather not quote them on the issue in case they are taken out of context).

The fact of the matter is that there are other solutions and we could and should be doing more in terms of economic reform, especially with regards to mining. And it was both a pleasure and humbling experience being able to later converse with two writers whose opinions and works I really admire.

Recent Reads: 'Specimen Days' by Michael Cunningham and 'Claw of the Conciliator'

2012-02-20T04:35:00.001-08:00

Recent Reads: Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe and Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham

On Claw of the Conciliator' by Gene Wolfe

There was just enough intrigue in Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer to entice me to return to its sequel, Claw of the Conciliator. Although Wolfe is deserved of his many plaudits I do not believe that he is the 'James Joyce' of speculative fiction as many critics claim; although from what I have read of his short fiction he may be more deserving of the title in that particular genre. Reading Claw of the Conciliator was déjà vu. Once more, I found myself liking but not mesmerised by Wolfe. He is simultaneously both brilliant and frustrating. The antiquated future successfully melds the genres of fantasy and sci-fi; Severian's sexual exploits and prowess, however, border on being of a debased nature (although they always hint at something deeper).

Wolfe at times seems to be taken by flights of fancy in terms of plot and his obsession with depth of meaning means coherency is often lost. His need for this many-layered depth can weigh the reader down and this is Wolfe's greatest flaw in the long form.

After hearing Gary K. Wolfe (whose views I admire and respect) on the Coode St Podcast comment on Wolfe's subtleties and layers, I initially thought that Gary was on the bullseye. But after further contemplating Gene Wolfe's novel I have altered my opinion. Layers: yes. Subtleties: no. There are layers upon layers in Claw of the Conciliator but the metaphors, although occasionally indecipherable, do not feel subtle at all. For instance, the green man from the future jars, although he seems to represent a future whereby mankind photosynthesises like plants. And thanks to an article in Cosmos about a sea slug shown to me by Phil English (a Cosmos contributing writer) in which a unique slug eats one sole meal of algae in its infancy then actually photosynthesises from then on, Wolfe’s vision may one day be realised. And the colour of the slug - surprise, surprise - is green too.

Anecdotal scientific digressions aside, there is nothing subtle about drinking matte; there is nothing subtle about a detailed scripted play (layered with meaning) appearing in the middle of a novel;there is nothing subtle about a monstrous river deity appearing out of the blue (although that particular metaphor was lost on me). The list could go on.

What I basically feel about Wolfe is that he has purposefully crafted a novel with layered meaning in a world that blends medieval, the classics and a decaying future. But he is not subtle. His metaphors, although they often require cryptic solutions (which is stimulating for an astute reader) are anything but subtle. They, like the river monster, surge up at you signalling or rather screaming at you to look for something deeper and perhaps this is where Wolfe, despite his brilliance, disappoints.

On Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham

Michael Cunningham's Specimen Days is composed of three neat novellas, which all contain a twist at the end. In all three, we have Lucas (Lucas, Luke and Luke), a small boy, with a weak body and oversized orange-shaped head, and Simon (whose character varies from a deceased brother; to a wealthy collector and seller of antiques; to an android searching for his soul); and Catherine (a street-smart impoverished girl; to Cat, a lit-loving African American detective; to Catareen, a Nadian - a species of alien that forms the persecuted class on Earth).

The three novellas are interlinked via Walter Whitman's poetry, which actually services the stories without jarring as much as I had anticipated, and a unique bowl (I will leave the later for the lit critics to analyse). The linked stories move from New York past, to the contemporary city, before culminating in the New York of the future (although this final piece is largely based outside of the Big Apple).

I found Cunningham's prose lyrical and effective for the most part. Although there were a couple of questionable bits of writing that stood out where Cunningham strives to be too clever and falls short. No guessing as to which adverb stands out below:

"Perhaps he had gotten up during the night and moved them, somnambulistically. No. They were nowhere."

And although Cunningham is an astute user of repetition - he uses it to considerable effect throughout Specimen Days - the following felt like a poor man's version of Cormac McArthy's The Road:

"The horse whinnied insistently. It needed to be fed. He went and fed the horse."

Overall however, Cunningham illustrates with these novellas that he is not a one-trick pony in that he successfully delivers three stories with vastly different voices. And to Cunningham's credit, all three have their own beautiful and steady rhythm. All three, like most ambitious works, also have their flaws. The ghostly-gothic In the Machine seems to climax and resolve too quickly after a slow-simmering build up of tension. The Children's Crusade falls into noir clichés and its attempt to change the African-American stereotype is too deliberate and calculated that it may further polarise readers (Cat, an African-American bomb-squad detective, is a literature major whom everyone thinks is white on the phone). And Like Beauty relies on the canons of yesteryear science fiction, with chases, exotic alien prowess and alas, info-dumps.

Yet Specimen Days is certainly worth a look at for both writers and readers. Cunningham wins the reader over with his prose in general but he also embraces our most endearing quality, that of compassion. And in this sense, Cunningham has something meaningful to say. The recurring theme is illustrated in all three pieces via sacrifice of some sort.

All three stories contain their hero, and Cunningham here is a hero too in courageously exploring three genres (historical ghost story, detective thriller and sci-fi) to deliver a fine 'novel' or three 'loosely linked-novellas'. Regardless of what the form is labelled, I am glad that I read it and I am now eager to read another of his other novels, Flesh and Blood.

PS And a big 'thank you' to Deborah Hunn for recommending Specimen Days some time ago.

24 recommended short stories from my 2011 reading

2012-02-06T05:11:00.000-08:00

24 'standout' short stories from my 2011 reading

In 2011, I read 96 short stories, many of them longer short stories and novelettes. Initially, I wanted to provide a list of all the stories I had read. After a little reflection, however, I thought that a blog post would be more useful if it were just a list of the standouts. Feel free to query as some stories are more 'literary' and others 'genre'. If you want to discover where a story can be found (anthology or journal title), just ask away.

The Bloody Chamber' Angela Carter

'Waiting' Will Self

'Puss in Boots' Angela Carter

'The Bordello in Faerie' Michael Swanwick

'The Company of Wolves' Angela Carter

'Riding the Gigantosaur' Michael Swanwick

'The Lady of the House of Love' Angela Carter

'Reward Offered' Jon Bauer

'The Erl King' Angela Carter

'The Werewolf' Angela Carter

'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' Angela Carter

'Four-Letter Words' Ryan O'Neil

'Lollies' Ian McLaren

'Girls and Boys Come Out to Play' Michael Swanwick

'Harry' Emma Schwarz

'The Tiger's Bride' Angela Carter

'The Monkey Treatment' George RR Martin

'Outback' Ruby J. Murray

'Mother Grasshopper' Michael Swanwick

'Raggle Taggle Gypsy-O' Michael Swanwick

'Dirty Little War' Michael Swanwick

'North of Diddy-Wah-Diddy' Michael Swanwick

'Whaling the Multiverse' Mark Lee Pearson

'It's the Cheroot' Marion Halligan

'Tales of Old Earth' by Michael Swanwick

2012-02-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

Tales of Old Earth by Michael Swanwick.

Michael Swanwick is one of the more adventurous writers in the already imaginative field of speculative fiction. He is generally an economical storyteller, and on occasion I felt myself craving more flesh and a slower pace, but that is not to dismiss an excellent collection. There is not much that Swanwick shies away from, which makes the childish cover misleading, especially considering the sex scene (including vivid and creative foreplay), which takes up much of the story in 'Midnight Express'.

Swanwick meddles with time past (as the title suggests) as well as the present and future, and there are also all those alternative reality realities too.

Although 'Scherzo the Dinosaur' and 'The Very Pulse of a Time Machine' are much lauded Hugo Award Winners, they are not the highlight stories in this eclectic collection. 'Riding the Gigantosaur', 'Microcosmic Dog', 'Mother Grasshopper', 'North of Diddy-Wah-Diddy' and 'The RaggleTaggle Gyspsy-O' are all fabulous tales.

The first of the before mentioned, 'Riding the Gigantosaur', places the reader into the Cretaceous period with a comical story that completely captures the imagination, whereby a wealthy wheeler and dealer learns some humility as a gigantosaur (do not ask but read the story). 'Mother Grasshopper' deals with the ideas of time, life and death; all set on a planet that is a massive grasshopper, which could be metaphorically perceived as the pest, that we as humans are represented as in this morose tale. 'North of Diddy-Wah-Diddy' entails a train of passengers travelling to Hell and successfully explores issues of morality and liberation with Swanwick's ever vibrant and colourful characters. It is also a tale you can sink your reading teeth into at 22 pages. 'Microcosmic Dog' cleverly examines reality when Ellen Gillespie (with a name like that I imagine that Swanwick is an avid jazz fan) has a talking dog left in her luxurious New York apartment. From then on things are not as always as they have seemed. 'The Raggle Taggle Gyspy-O' is a time travelling adventure, full of romance and heroism, in which the idea unravels that memories are required for immortality. Once again, an early felatio scene made me briefly wonder why any Swanwick anthology would be marketed in this fashion - although sales to a wider audience is the blindingly obvious answer.

'In Concert' humorously and uniquely parallels the Communist movement with the rock music movement when the aged lead rocker, Lenin, pounds out lyrics like, 'You have nothing to lose but your chains.' Other strong stories include: 'Wild Minds', 'Radiant Doors' and 'The Changeling's Tale'.

Tales of Old Earth is layered with meaning and that is the beauty of Swanwick's short fiction; he can encourage a reader to reflect but he never loses their attention. And Swanwick at his worst - in this collection I would say it is the Nebula Award winning, 'Ancient Engines' (the android tale tasted like a sedated version of PK Dick)- is still far better than many other writers in the field. Taking a leap into Michael Swanwick's bizarre world is something that will be ingrained in readers' minds long after they have finished reading.

Brief Book Review: 'New Australian Stories 2' Ed: Aviva Tuffield (2010)

2012-01-29T00:14:00.000-08:00

Brief Book Review: New Australian Stories 2 Ed: Aviva Tuffield (2010)

Both Scribe Publications (New Australian Stories)and Black Inc. (Best Australian Stories) should be congratulated for their focus on nurturing and promoting Australian short fiction. These collections are credible homes, which promote both ‘name’ writers as well as those lesser known to a wider reading audience.

I am a late arrival to Australian short fiction and outside of Overland Literary Journal and the occasional Griffith Review I rarely read it at all. Short fiction from overseas just seemed more colourful in general. I was adverse to the repetitive, desiccated and colourless landscapes; as well as stories with plotlines so thin they seemed to dangle by a thread. Of recent times though (largely via journal reading) I have been pleased to discover the bevy of talented Australian writers out there. Even our landscapes, both rural and urban, have developed into something that intrigues me; possibly due to their tangibility.

The reason behind buying New Australian Stories 2 is that A.G McNeil, who works at New Edition Bookstore (while completing his PhD), told me that it included one of his pieces. So to support a fellow Perthite I bought the collection and enjoyed his story,‘ Reckless, Susceptible’, which darkly but effectively delves into a relationship while including an interesting thread about animals.

The anthology itself consists of varying themes that all call for reflection within our own lives. There is a certain richness to many of the stories that can make reading challenging at times - but ultimately rewarding. Australian fiction in general seems to move at a slower pace and the old emphasis on place and drawing out almost every moment is still dominant; as is ‘realism’. It was refreshing to read two solid stories brave enough to venture away from the mundane in Sonja Dechian’s, ‘The Cats of Unspeakable Kindness’and the metaphorical, ‘Moth’ by Jennifer Mills.

There were a handful of stories(which I will not mention) that I forced myself to plough through but that was more a matter of taste rather than quality. And a handful of stories is a winning ratio for any anthology of this magnitude – there are 36 all up.

Personally, I perceived eight tales as standouts. ‘Reward Offered’ by John Bauer is a superb piece which focuses on loneliness in the elderly and to what extent they may go to in the search for company and gratitude. The aged protagonist’s devilry captivates in a tale that is also quite touching. Ryan O’Neil’s,‘Four-Letter Words’ is clever, humorous, tragic and sentimental with a witty structure. My one overly pedantic criticism (a product of my Greek heritage) is that the word mania may have come into English via Latin but is of Greek origin and not Latin as stated. ‘Harry’ by Emma Schwarz, explores time, relationships and a partner’s influence when Harry, whose wife is critically ill, is taken on a hotel holiday by his daughter who aims to liberate him a little. ‘Papa’s Last Command’by Jane McGown is an interesting rural story that successfully highlights issues of racism, bullying and ethics. Its ending, however, may appear a tad dramatic when compared to the surrounding stories. I was hooked by Ruby J. Murray’s ‘Outback’; a well-written story that looks at temptation and fidelity. An ever-present sense of danger is used most effectively in ‘The Chamber’by Meg Mundell to lure the reader in while presenting a range of issues. ‘Static’by Cate Kennedy is a wonderful story that says so much in its family-at-Christmastime fourteen pages; it also suitably lives up to its title in a thematic sense. And finally, ‘The Cheroot’ by Marion Halligan is an illustration of sheer prose mastery. I found the plot itself slightly tacky but there is no denying Halligan’s wizardry here. The atmosphere, heat and isolated river setting are written by an author at the peak of her game. Her word choice and voice are as good as I have read.

‘After Rachel’ by Tony Birch; ‘Like a Virgin’ by Tegan Bennett Daylight and ‘Fallen Women’ by Jane Sullivan are also very strong works.

Some critics have presented an arguement that many of the stories are not ‘new’, referring to the fact that quite a number are sourced from literary journals. I find this reasoning quite tenuous. Journals deserve their stories to be promoted to the wider reading public (as do writers). The immeasurable hours that go into a piece mean that a ‘newish’ story deserves as many opportunities to be read as possible.

For the more literary minded, New Australian Stories 2 is well worth the read and it comes with the added bonus of allowing you to sample work from some of Australia’s gifted writers.

Brief Reading and Writing Reflection on 2011

2012-01-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

Brief Reading and Writing Reflection on 2011

Books Read 2011

A Dance with Dragons George R.R. Martin

On Writing Stephen King

The Last Werewolf Glen Duncan

The Bloody Chamber Angela Carter

The Anansi Boys Neil Gaiman

The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold

The Confidential Agent Graham Greene

Flight Sherman Alexie

Song of Kali Dan Simmons

Istanbul The Imperial City by John Freely (History)

The Dog Said Bow Wow Michael Swanwick

The Great God Pan Arthur Machen

Monisgnor Quixote Graham Greene

The Shadow of the Torturer Gene Wolfe

The Quantity Theory of Insanity Will Self

Wolfborn Sue Bursztynski (YA novel)

The Secret History of Moscow Ekaterina Sedia

In the Evil Hour Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I’m just a few stories from finishing New Australian Stories 2 (ed. Aviva Tuffield) and Tales of Old Earth by Michael Swanwick. Both will be included in next year’s list.

Only four female writers were included in my 2011 reading (last year they were all male bar one). I do feel as though this is a habit I need to break. Needless to say, Sue Bursztynski’s novel was a great YA book (the first of the genre that I’ve read in a decade); I bought Alice Sebold’s other novel, The Almost Moon, after being more than impressed by The Lovely Bones and I have fallen for Angela Carter’s breathtaking prose and consequently swooped on whatever of hers I could find. So hopefully I’ll read a few more female writers in 2012 (I choose from my ‘books to be read shelves’ at random). As usual there was far more parity in my short fiction reading.

I have also read more spec fic/genre than the norm and asides from providing a great escape it was a pleasure to see some excellent work in the field.

Journals

I am now subscribing to Meanjin to partner Overland Literary Journal (a journal I adore) and ASIM (for my genre hit). It is a relief that Andromeda is still available in print as Aurealis has succumbed to the electronic form. I prefer reading fiction the old fashioned way – for some vague reason I tend to miss a lot on screen.

I have dropped my Dotdotdash subscription only because I buy it at their launches. Other Australian journals that I've read and enjoyed include: Kill Your Darlings, Wet Ink and Griffith Review. During 2012, I plan on reading the occasional Southerly and Island too.

From the US I have taken out a One Story subscription, a great concept in which a quality ‘longer short story’ arrives in your mail every three weeks. The idea being that the story itself is the focus and therefore liberated of any surrounding interference (advertising or even other stories). The first one will arrive soon.

There are many other captivating journals in the overseas market (the US have a plethora of outstanding ones). I’ve read: McSweeney’s Review, Tin House, The Paris Review, Granta, Zoetrope: All Story and of course The New Yorker (most of these I’ve picked up at either New Edition or Planet Bookstore here in Perth). In 2012 I would like to taste: Ploughshares, Harper’s, Atlantic Monthly, The Southern Review, Glimmer Train, New England Review and Crazy Horse. My subscription dilemma lives on...

In American speculative fiction I am planning on subscribing to one of the following: Asimov’s, Magazine of F&SF, Weird Tales (still waiting to see how it eventuates with the change of owners) and possibly Shimmerzine.

Interzone in the UK and On Spec in Canada may also be worth a look at.

Feel free to comment on any journal or give your own recommendations.

Short Stories

This year I have anally recorded the short fiction that I’ve read: 96 (many of them long short stories/novelettes). In my nerdy blog fashion I will put up a list of 24 of my favourite short stories from my 2011 reading, which represents a fair chunk at 25%. I am quite selective with my short fiction reading and all but a handful this year ranged from good to exceptional. So the 24 will be a recommended reading list for lovers of short fiction.

Novels

If you are interested in my thoughts on any of the novels feel free to ask or even comment on them yourself. I did not want to rank them and although I was surprisingly disappointed by Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ debut novel it has been a great reading year.

Writing Reflection

My first two stories that I had written were published in Dotdotdash5 (Dec 2010) and Andromeda Spaceways (April 2011) and I pinched myself. Then ‘Reading Coffee’ was published in Overland Literary Journal 204 (Sep 2011) and I was ecstatic (to put it mildly). I had always maintained a strong belief in the story but it was still a privilege for it to find a home in the pages of a literary journal I revere - especially as ‘Reading Coffee’ is at the ‘difficult-to-publish’ length of 5000 words. Contributing a couple of blog posts for the Overland website was also a treat.

With my first publication I thought it might have been the work of the Goddess Tyche; the second made me think that perhaps I should scribble away some more, especially as they were both foundational pieces in my writing development (a cause for celebration rather than denigration); and the third both aided and buttressed my self-belief as a writer immensely.

I have lofty goals for 2012. I would like to finish both a draft novella as well as a first draft of the novel I have been working on. In addition, I plan on writing two short stories.

Blogging

I’ll just continue with my sporadic and hackneyed café posts. I don’t aim for them to be anything more than raw and unpolished as my chief focus is on writing fiction. Hopefully the posts are enjoyable and informative to some of the many out there interested in the world of reading and writing.

Happy New Year!

'Istanbul: The Imperial City' by John Freely & 'On Writing' by Stephen King

2012-01-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely & On Writing by Stephen King

Over the past decade I have been an avid reader of Ottoman history, especially that of Constantinople/ Istanbul. While Constantinople: 1453 to Present by Philip Mansel is (to me) the epitomy on the subject, The Imperial City by John Freely is still an informative and interesting read with well chosen primary source exerpts that really add texture and colour to the work. It is a history of the city in its entirety, from the earlier Greek settlements to the Byzantine Emperors/Empresses, through to all the Sultans and eventually ending with Attaturk, the Father of the Modern Turkish Nation. As it covers a broader scope than Mansel's text it consequently does not have the richness of Constantinople: 1453 to Present but it is still an excellent overview of 'The City' and also an easy read. Anyone interested in Byzantine or Ottoman history would be missing out without reading The Imperial City.

Of recent times, I have found texts on the writing craft and process riveting . On Writing by Stephen King surpassed my expectations. It is an honest and humble memoir/writing text that I was thoroughly absorbed by. King's humility here is extraordinary; and his reading list at the end of the text shows just how literary minded he actually is. The snippets of prose he delivers are a welcome illustration of his refined skills as an author.

King's personal writing history and his recovery from a chilling accident captivate; his writing tips (avoid the passive voice, murder your darlings and avoid adverbs) are useful as are his ideas on creating characters with depth that avoid charicatures or stereotypes. It is fascinating that King, in order to maintain a freshness of story, usually advocates for little planning - his work largely comes from 'what if scenarios'. I am not a horror fan per se (although it is growing on me) but it is hard to deny King's success or extraordinary talents as an author. On Writing's openess and frankness makes you feel as if you are there with him, sitting in the room and having a chat over a cool drink or cup of coffee; as such, it is a highly recommended read for all writers, and also for those interested in the life of one of the bestselling authors of all time.

King's biggest tip for emerging writers: simply write and read.

On the Simple vs Continuous Tense

2011-12-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

On the Simple vs Continuous Tense

A couple of years ago at a writing workshop I heard a book reviewer of a prominent Australian newspaper berate an emerging author over her use of the continuous tense. 'You never, ever should use it,' he said, slapping her work on to the table like some theatrical arsehole.

The reviewer was not alone, many writers demonise the continuous tense, often falsely labelling it passive.

But I use the continous tense now and then. Why? Because when used cleverly it works. It can:

Place emphasis on time and place. It implies that the act istself is important.
Add richness to a literary piece in a poetic sense and it can slow the narrative pace
Highlight the character in action.

The continous tense often destroys the flow of a piece and can enable a feeling of unintended 'telling'. But when used wisely it is an effective tool. Take for example Ruby J. Murray's short story 'Outback' in New Australian Stories 2:

'Mark knows she is looking at him, knows she is running her finger over her lip, which means: nervous, unsure, undecided.'

The above achieves all the before mentioned points: time slows down to capture that moment and this further highlights Mark's observations, emphasising the sense of attraction. Of course, change it all into the present simple and it still functions well (albeit at a quicker pace) but I think that Murray chose the right tense for that particular moment of the story. And moments are a writer's chief focus - how long a writer lingers on them is debatable and dependent on style, pacing and taste.

No matter what you might have been told, the continuous tense is still a great tool to have in your writing arsenal.

Dotdotdash Subscriberthon

2011-12-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

Dotdotdash Subscriberthon

I confess that I no longer subscribe to Dotdotdash but before you condemn me to the gallows (this is about a subscriberthon after all) let me explain why: they're based in Perth and I attend their funky, innovative and varied launches where I buy a journal as part of the entry package (or is it on top of it? - I can't quite recall).

But subscribe away if you're outside of Perth (or if you're a Perthite not interested in attending their launches). The journal chiefly specialises in fiction and has a spanky layout in coloured glossy pages. It's a celebration of art, photography, graphic design, short fiction, creative fiction and plenty of poetry

I think I'll always like Dotdotdash; they're local (with a national following) and they also published my first story in Dotdotdash5, December 2010. Almost my entire writing group has published there too. Congrats to Mark Welker (now in Melbourne), Daniel Simpsom and Phil English!

The thing I really admire about the journal is that authors remain anonymous during the submission process. Your name and previous publications mean zilch so the playing field levels out. Of course that has meant that the editor, Steven Finch, has missed out on some 'name' authors but then again he's published some too and he, and the editing team, have the undeniable pleasure of unearthing new and exciting talent.

I wish Steve and his gang continued success in the difficult world of literary journals. With the way they promote and market themselves, they certainly deserve their rapid growth. Join them on Facebook to keep up with the fun.

Short Story #1: 'Rachel in Love' by Pat Murphy

2011-12-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

Short Story #1: Rachel in Love by Pat Murphy

Rachel in Love by Pat Murphy is my current favourite. Once again, I first read the story in the Locus Awards anthology.

Rachel’s father is not a chimpanzee but she is and she also has memories of being a human daughter. When her ‘scientist-father’ passes, Rachel, the chimp-girl, discovers the big bad world. Pat Murphy has produced a wonderful story, deservedly winning both the Locus and Nebula awards. Rachel in Love deals with the in between natures of both the human and the animal; as well exploring issues of identity and acceptance.

The hybrid nature of Rachel gelled with me as some of my writing touches on similar themes. Murphy has crafted a superb story with a seemless, but also touching, narrative

Recent Reads and Brief Comments on 'The Shadow of the Torturer' by Gene Wolfe; 'The Quantity Theory of Insanity' by Will Self; 'Flight' by Sherman Alexie; and 'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter

2011-11-22T02:58:00.000-08:00

Recent Reads and Brief Comments on The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe; The Quantity Theory of Insanity by Will Self; Flight by Sherman Alexie; and The Bloody Chamber By Angela Carter

I've just read The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe; The Quantity Theory of Insanity by Will Self; Flight by Sherman Alexie and I am currently reading The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter. I never cease to marvel at narrative prose. There are no hard and fast rules for excellent writing - all these vastly contrasting works display an equally effective style.

Gene Wolfe's novel, The Shadow of the Torturer is part of his magnum opus. A giant in terms of the fantasy-sci-fi writing world, Wolfe has received almost every award around. I was led to this novel via a cold and clever short story: The Death of Dr Island, a Locus Award winner (it is also part of the The Locus Awards - a collection that I've waxed lyrical about in numerous posts).

While The Shadow of the Torturer was likeable, I can not, however, claim to be absolutely wrapped in it - unlike Wolfe's legion of fans. The work contains glimpses of sheer brilliance, even the library scene early, where print novels come in all manner of boutique cover is something which we may be nearing ourselves (to compete with their electronic equivalent?).

There is once again that coldness to Wolfe's first person narration and his preference for an unreliable narrator. The Shadow of the Torturer is unusually rich in style, with many Greek and Latin words thrown in (including some newly derived ones), which almost has an affect of further 'classicising' or 'archaising' the future. Some readers may be challenged by this word smith's more vintage prose but I personally enjoy it. Ultimately though, Wolfe's dreamlike traversal from scene to scene may work for some but did not for me. In addition to that, I also had difficulties with the male-female relationships being so highly sexual; the ease in which the protagonist, Severian, drifts from one relationship to another irked me, as did the focus on sexual energy with regards to all his female companions.

I am interested in reading more of Wolfe's shorter works and will probably one day read the sequel, The Claw of the Conciliator (afterall Shadow of the Torturer was still a worthwhile read) but for now there are plenty of other novels that have whet my appetite in an overall more satisfying manner.

The Quantity Theory of Insanity is Self's first anthology. I won’t digress with a discussion on Self’s uniqueness as I've written enough pertaining to his style in previous posts. The Quantity Theory of Insanity did not quite meet my lofty expectations after reading his other collections - the title story and the one following, were (in this reader's opinion) the worst of his stories in the anthology, but then again I have an aversion to some of his psych-babble narratives. The other stories were all strong and typical of the refreshing writer that Self is. The disinterested Amazonian tribe in Understanding of the Ur-Boro is Self at his off-beat best; and the man in pursuit of ending all 'waiting' in Waiting is a hoot.

In contrast to the antiquated richness of Wolfe and the quirky, showy prose of Self; Sherman Alexie's Flight is a sparse, quick and fun read. Alexie does not bother with detailed descriptions and he reminds me more of Kurt Vonnegut or William Kotzwinkle in his unique ability to use humour and satire. Flight utilises the voice of an adolescent American Indian boy who has been callously fostered about. Flight remains true to the protagonist's voice and does not try to toy around as much with words when compared to Wolfe, Self and Carter. It's honest, critical and successful in illustrating the world of dispossessed people everywhere: Alexie's novel is as relevant to the Indigenous Australian as it is to the American Indian. Flight is simple, overly didactic, but thoroughly enjoyable. If you are seeking rich prose then it may not be suitable but if you like Vonnegut or Kotzwinkle, then pick Flight up. Alexie's short works are also frequently gems.

Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber is syrupy-opulent and I’m currently indulging in its decadent prose. Carter has a remarkable voice and this is clearly shown by her talent of using a hybrid narrative in more than a few stories here. The Bloody Chamber reads like a Greek honeyed pastry - suitably rich and naughty. I just want to indulge in a single story at each sitting rather than ruin my appetite. More than one piece of baklava, kataifi or galaktoboureko can spoil the treat.

Overland Subscriberthon and a Journal Subscription Update

2011-11-08T01:01:00.000-08:00

Overland Subscriberthon and a Journal Subscription Update

It did not take me long to renew my Overland Literary Journal subscription. The quality of the journal and its frequently courageous stance on issues meant that it had all ticks from me. The calibre of fiction is also impressive: Christos Tsiolkas, Patrick White, Margo Lanagan, Peter Carey, Thea Astley and Charlotte Wood are just a few names that come to me off the top of my head. Then add the artwork of Shaun Tan in #202 and you've covered almost everything.

Overland Literary Journal is not just for the left, and lets face it, many writers are left leaning, but it is also for lovers of literature. Its pages contain the finest Australian writing and we are fortunate to have it. Moreover, Overland slaves away to inform readers with its online presence: as of last count it had 3,915 friends on facebook, which is a credit to the way it has tackled the electronic age. The twitters (or tweets?), links and blog posts, are frequent and informative, and I for one, have benefited from them.

And that is the dilemna for this independent journal. They are doing so much that we can access for free. So why then buy? It was at the Perth Writers Festival, where I heard Margo Lanagan state that when in doubt go for threes. So I'll give you three reasons:

Tactility: Personally, I am still enthralled by the tactile feel of a fictional story but outside of fic, I am quite content reading away online. So, due to the fiction, usually three stories per issue, which makes 12 fictional pieces a year - it suits me to have it in the hand.
Supporting a Great Service: Overland provides us with updates on facebook and its website. These are informative, captivating, frequent and free. I go to the local independent bookstore and buy books to support them because I want to keep them around. It is the same with Overland - yes, it is arguably our most subscribed to literary journal but if we want to keep them going in our modern 'capitalist-takes-all- age' then we have to show them the money. Pay them for the service they provide (ironically, this point probably goes against the very pillars the journal stands for).
Ubiquity: I acknowledge that this point is awfully askew regarding a subscriberthon - it's more of a plug for buying it from a bookstore. But personally, I think Overland needs to be seen. It does garner fans from lovers of good writing who discover it on the web but it needs to maintain (and expand) its place in bookstores and the better newsagencies. This way it might meet new fans who appreciate literature. The physical presence of the journal is as important as its innovative electronic one.

There are a myriad of other reasons too. I'll give you three more quick ones - I wonder whether I am cheating, Margo? Sixing it up and all: it looks great on my coffee table; it opens up discussion; and lastly, as mentioned earlier, Overland is of the highest quality.

So I have renewed my subscription, and I say that if you are a friend of Overland Literary Journal, then you should too. Dictatorial of me, I know.

And now for the other journal in the deal. It was difficult but I thought I'd try Meanjin this time, which just pipped Griffith Review and Wet Ink. Griffith Review is an eminent journal but it does not tackle genre or speculative fiction, which rules out some wonderful literature. I'll continue to buy the occasional Griffith Review from Planet Books, for the simple reason that it deserves to be read. With regards to Wet Ink, I like the fact that it seems to push emerging talent and is open a wide genre playing field, but I went with Meanjin this time as I've enjoyed the last few lent to me from friends. In the future I'd like to add both Griffith Review and Wet Ink to my subscription list (as well as a few others too).

The before mentioned journals, and others like them, require us to help them. Writers need to find suitable homes of worth; readers need to be kept informed and enjoy great writing. We have some fantastic journals, my personal favourite, however - and I have a harem of beloved journals - is Overland. They also pay their writers at generous professional rates, which is a rarity in the modern era. So subscribe and send some love their way in return. Sometimes your relationship with Overland will be volatile and at other times passionate but it will never be anything less than stimulating.

Recent Book Buys and Recent Reads

2011-10-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

Recent Book Buys and Recent Reads

Despite my self-imposed ban, I bought again: evidence that I would have failed as a Spartan.

Readers may think I'm suffering from a multiple personality disorder when looking at the variety here.

After enjoying The Last Werewolf, I bought three Glen Duncan novels: I Lucifer from New Edition

A Day and a Night and a Day from Oxford Books

and Love Remains also from Oxford Books

The embarrassing cover below couldn't prevent me from buying Swords and Dark Magic (an anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders) from a bookstore in Shafto Lane soon to be called 'Stephen's Books'. I loved Strahan's The Locus Awards and this collection seems like it's fun as well as having a celebrity list of authors: Gene Wolfe, C.J Cherryh, Michael Moorcock, Robert Silverberg and Joe Abercombe to name but a few. More importantly, they are all juicy 'long' short stories rather than flash (which I like reading only in folk tales or fables).

And my final buy was recommended by Jasmine in New Edition: Four Novels by Marguerite Duras. Which are really four novellas: The Square; Moderato Cantabile; 10:30 on a Summer Night; and The Afternoon of Mr. Andesmas.

On the reading front, I have just finished The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe and I am currently reading The Quantity Theory of Insanity by Will Self; an author I find refreshing. Self is satirical, cynical, witty and loves showing it. He is a stimulating change from both understated prose and also the more poetic narratives. I am glad that there's a writer like Self around. He occasionally misses the mark and some of his psycho-babble stories infuriate me but when on-song, his ostentatious vocabulary combined with his misfit worlds, captivate in a way that not many other writers are capable of.

As always, I'm interested in your thoughts on any of the above books or authors.

Short Story #2 'The Bordello In Faerie' by Michael Swanwick

2011-10-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

Short Story #2: The Bordello in Faerie by Michael Swanwick

I have previously mentioned that Swanwick is a courageous and innovative writer who sometimes slips into an almost literary version of soft porn. The Bordello in Faerie is a typical 'sexed-up' Swanwick story but it is also Swanwick at his most sublime.

A young man, Ned, who starts out as a bit of a buffoon, becomes aware that on the other side of the bridge which separates the world of the mundane from that of the Faerie, there is a renowned brothel. He crosses over and keeps returning to the bordello as the readers' world - and Ned's - is flipped midway through the story. I won't reveal any secrets here but it was the twist in the middle, as opposed to the dated twist at the end of many short stories, that had me completely.

The story does have its flaws: the afterwards may seem a bit too 'nice' to some readers and his brothel endeavours begin to drag.

In my view, the brilliance of the idea overides the tale's blemishes and that's why The Bordello in Faerie is #2 on my short story list.

Book Review: 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman

2011-10-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Outside of the short form, this is the most genre fiction I've read in years!

Book Review: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

So much literature ends in tragedy and I was in need of something lighter, so possibly the timing of the read affected my take on Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys. It is now my favourite Gaiman novel (with Neverwhere) and I was told by a well-read friend at Planet Books that Anansi Boys was his worst: definitive proof that reading is in the eye of the beholder.

Fat Charlie is your regular Joe, slightly unhappy and plodding through life as an honest accountant for a weasel-like boss. He lives in England, is engaged to a girl, Rosie, in a comfortable but sparkless relationship.

Charlie’s youth, with his then together family, was a brief but colourful time in New Orleans. His father was a prankster, who he hasn’t even endeavoured to communicate with since he and his mother left for England many years ago.

After being pressured by his do-gooder fiancé to rebuild his family ties before their wedding, Charlie finds out that his father is dead. It further unravels that his dad was a trickster storyteller God of some note and to make things more interesting, Fat Charlie discovers that he has a brother who seems to have taken after his father. That brother, Spider, arrives on his doorstep and Charlie's life begins to take on colour: both horrific, exciting and comical.

Neil Gaiman tells a great story here. The various threads are delightfully woven in a well-structured novel. It kept me smiling throughout with its larger than life characters. Gaiman’s language matches their playfulness in a gripping story.

Anansi Boys is on the lighter side, without being too silly or overly farcical. It’s simply fun, something akin to an extended bedtime tale. It was more entertaining than the much lauded American Gods (which I still liked). If you’re after a witty chromatic read, then Anansi Boys is for you.

I found it a joy. It will have you singing too!

'The Great God Pan' by Arthur Machen and a Brief Comment on Bookstores

2011-10-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen and a Brief Comment on Bookstores

I had been tracking down the The Great God Pan for a while. I realised that the internet was available but I wanted to buy it from a local bookstore as they open up a window to the reading community in a manner that I feel the net is not quite capable of. Bookstores offer you conversation with the owners (in a physical sense); or alternatively, a respite from a busy world; or even just tactile browsing. I have overcome my technophobia, but I think that independent stores (not only bookstores) are absolutely necessary in adding colour in terms of variety and culture to society. In Perth, I tend to order from both Planet Books and New Edition - two fantastic independent bookstores; I also occasionally buy from Oxford Books and The Black Crow. Why? To support them – I don’t want them vanishing and they offer a far better selection than the chain stores.

The Great God Pan was out of print for a while but once back in print I immediately ordered it from New Edition in Northbridge. The reasons for the buy vary: HP Lovecraft thought it a masterpiece; Jorge Luis Borges said it is a must read and the first true horror novel, which also greatly influenced his own work; and Stephen King (by the way, I’ve only read The Green Mile) stated:

“The Great God Pan” is one of the best horror stories ever written. Maybe the best in the English language.”

Naturally, the trio’s comments about the text were a part of my reading it. A Victorian horror set in England and Wales, acclaimed by Borges, with bizarre links to the Pan’s essence, had reeled me in.

Book Review: The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen. originally published 1894. Revised ed. 1916

Mary, a young girl in Wales is experimented on by Dr Raymond in an attempt to have human contact with the deity, Pan. The essence of a truly horrific Pan takes over. The girl grows up leaving a trail of deaths behind her. Mary, who is considered both repulsive and attractive, goes to London, where the characters rediscover her as Helen Vaughan. Helen leaves a Hellish trail of fear and peril wherever she ventures.

There is a lot of telling in the story but it is still quite gripping in terms of the characters tracking Helen’s actions and also the unravelling of the unknown. The story does seem too brief and does not achieve the dizzying highs that I was expecting after reading the reviews. It has neither the depth nor the brilliance of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, published earlier in 1886.

The Great God Pan, as per the era, is written in a somewhat antiquated style. It’s interesting in an historical sense in that it captures a period in which many were obsessed by the Greco-Roman world. Tension is built throughout but I would have preferred to have been placed into the story more rather than following characters discussing events. The climax was more of an anti-climax, but I certainly did not regret the quick read and for those interested in Victorian gothic, it is appealing in terms of both the boundaries it broke and its context.

At the time, the critics gave The Great God Pan a pounding as being too licentious. Machen even states in the revised edition’s foreward that it was very popular among England’s female readership who liked the 'salacious' text - thumbs up to Victorian women! Later critics, as earlier mentioned, have lavished praise on The Great God Pan, making it the cult text that it is today in certain circles.

Overall, The Great God Pan did not terrify me as it did with Stephen King and many other readers. While it isn't a 'must-read', it's still a worthwhile text; it's also one of those stories that remain with you long afterwards.

'Dance with Dragons' by George R.R. Martin

2011-10-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

Not a review but a liaison:

What can I say? Even after the myriad of pages – I still craved more.

I’m insatiable when it comes to these novels. I know that it is not seen by many critics as a good confession in a literary sense, but I'll happily proclaim that I’m enamoured with the Song of Ice and Fire. Martin is an incredible storyteller and I'm enraptured by his story's many threads.

Yes, the world is too big and overloaded with characters. But then again, the characters are captivating and the world is superbly drawn. Yes, Martin is fixated with words like ‘mummer’ but fans, like lovers, forgive, so we can overlook all those ‘mummers-this’ and ‘mummers-that’. And I am a fan, a massive one.

In terms of writing, I noted that most chapters end on cliffhangers, fastening you in place until those involved reappear down the track. Not a bad ploy when dealing with a novel of this length.

Like in the musical: Oliver Twist, all I have to ask of Martin is this: ‘Please George, can I have some more?’

Short story #3: 'Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter' by Chitra Banjeree Divakaruni

2011-09-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

Short Story #3: Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

An elderly, traditional Indian widow has moved into her American son’s family home. The story follows two days of Mrs Dutta's life, whereby she is in conflict with her new environment and is also struggling with her own fears of detachment, discontentment, and her ever failing attempts to bury these disappointments in order to remain 'properly' faithful to her different New World family.

Mrs Dutta Writes a Letter is a beautifully written piece that successfully deals with cultural conflict and self-realisation.

Chitra Banjeree Divakaruni has a great blog for those interested in not only writing but also cooking! Have a read at: www.chitradivakaruni.com/blog/

Book Review: 'The Last Werewolf' by Glen Duncan

2011-09-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

Book Review: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

Clever and droll, Jake Marlowe is the last werewolf in existence. Basically, he’s a 'killfuckeat' kind of guy, who is also one hell of a writer. Jake is both man and beast: a man who has saved lives against humanity's many monsters (Nazis etc), yet he also literally feasts on people himself. He has a bestial need to satisfy his libido too.

As the narrator, he immediately lures the reader in with a loveable intimacy - despite one particularly grotesque scene from his past. After 200 years, Jake's almost contentedly awaiting World Organisation for the Control of Occult Phenomena (WOCOP) to finish him off. Gainer, whose father was eaten by Jake, is WOCOP's finest and he's waiting for the full moon to take Jake as the beast. But then Jake falls in love as if in a romance novel: truly, madly and deeply. It's his character's metamorphiosis, now he has a responsibility to live, which is great for Gainer, who has been seeking a challenging final hurrah.

Duncan can write and his wit is ceaseless. His language doesn't strive for suitability alone but also freshness like fellow English authors, Martin Amis and Will Self (although not to Self's extreme manner). The line in Jake's journal about Graham Greene's work cuts to the core regarding Duncan's own text: "Graham Greene had a semi-parodic relationship with the genres his novels exploited." The Last Werewolf refers to a range of texts, even Buffy and Angel in a fun read. He purposefully exploits, like Greene, the usual genre motifs - here it is the werewolf and vampire (of course Greene didn't touch those) - and like Greene again, Duncan does much more than any cliched genre novel.

If I had to be hypercritical, I'd say the ending did seem a little too pulpy and pacy; and I'm not sure if the late change in narrative voice was entirely successful. Furthermore, I hope that Duncan doesn't cheapen a great work by selling out with a series of sequels - there is scope in The Last Werewolf to do just that.

But overall, it's a highly successful blend of pace and literary merit, an enjoyable novel which rollicks and rambles along.

I'm eager now to go on a Glen Duncan binge and sink my canines into more of his earlier, and apparently more 'literary', work.

Overland #204: 'Reading Coffee' The Writing Process

2011-08-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

Overland #204: Reading Coffee

And a little on the writing process

It’s a thrill to have a story included in a journal close to my heart: Overland. Reading Coffee is my third story published this year and also my third story published in my debut year as a writer. Hopefully there will be many more to come (perhaps one without a beverage in the title.). A hearty congrats to all the contributors in 204, especially the other two fiction writers: Jacinda Woodhead and Charlotte Wood.

I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a small part of the process with you.

I’m not somebody who has a fountain of dazzling ideas, they don’t fall for me from the sky like rain and when I do have one I often examine it briefly and then toss it away in realisation that it’s lacking that indescribable factor that could potentially transform good to great. Yes, it’s the x-factor, how droll.

The idea for the Overland story germinated when I was reading about the 1916 Kalgoorlie Riots in Greek Pioneers in Western Australia by Reginald Appleyard and John N. Yiannakis (a great read for anyone interested in early Greek-Australian history). My Pappou, Lucas Pitsikas, was involved in the commissioning of the book and I’d heard stories about the riots from both him and my uncle, Terry Pitsikas, as a youth. The richness of the story was already there, for me the idea had that x-factor, but I needed to capture the essence and finesse it. After some contemplation, I thought it’d be interesting to embellish the event with some Greek folklore.

Having a family girl like Mary as a protagonist really added the required cultural element. Mary’s family meant that I could delve a little into the nature of the Greek diaspora in Australia at the time. Furthermore, Mary’s age allowed for connection and disconnection, as worried children often experience moments of escape and enjoyment even in the most troubling circumstances (possibly a false generalisation from my own personal observations). Her early ‘discovery’ meant that the tension could simmer throughout while the characters and community were developed.

I wrote the first draft as a skeleton, then fleshed it out with specifics, then culled again for pacing and effect, before laboriously, and often nauseatingly, redrafting again and again and again.

Originally the story had two threads, one was purposefully vague. I cut this due to a difficult-to-publish word limit (even now the story is around 5000 words – I’m not a flash fiction fan). I also sacrificed the thread to make it a generally linear narrative, which allowed for greater clarity and reader accessibility. The culling was literally a ‘kill your darlings moment’ that took an aeon to arrive at. I may explore the vanquished thread at a later date. Who knows - it could become the genesis of another tale?

The opening and ending, in essence, belong to both threads, and I was a little nervous about keeping them but Jane Gleeson-White, the Overland fiction editor, was right in encouraging me to retain both.

I hope that the story brings a little awareness to our nation’s racist past (although Overland readers are usually a very socially aware group). It’s sad that even today there are the occasional children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of migrants who claim that the ‘new kind’ of migrants aren’t the same. To those people I’d like to scream banshee-like: ‘lights on and wake up!’ The fact is that during previous eras, their parents, grandparents and great grandparents were thought of in a similar, or frequently far worse, manner. Horror, horror!

My prime aspiration, however, is for readers to enjoy Reading Coffee. For me the story always takes precedence. Ultimately, I’d prefer the reader to leave thinking that it’s a great narrative – any thematic afterthoughts are a rewarding bonus.

As for the genre: I do enjoy, and write, open-ended short stories, this one though, has an almost-closed ending, a rarity in the modern open-ended short story world.

Feel free to comment on Reading Coffee and I hope you like Overland #204. It’s a real honour to play a small, humbling part in it – clichéd as it sounds. You can become a friend of Overland Literary Journal on Facebook too. Yes, this is a tacky plug for a journal that’s published me – but I am a fan and subscriber myself.

I’d like to especially thank Jane Gleeson-White who heroically saved me from a couple of anachronisms. Jane was a consummate professional and a delight to work with, a loukoumi herself, whose enthusiasm invigorated me.

And that’s that. For the Perthites out there, Overland #204 will be sold at New Edition and possibly Planet Bookstore. I’ve been told that it’s ubiquitous in its hometown of Melbourne and other states.

And with a final side note on my current reading: I’ve just finished The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan. Lots of fun, easy to sink your lupine canines into; it’s a nicely paced blend of literature and genre, and genre parody. One of my unpolished book reviews about it to come soon.

Short story #4: 'Buffalo' by John Kessel

2011-08-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

Short Story #4: Buffalo by John Kessel

Buffalo is one of those must read stories, deservedly winning the Sturgeon Award as well as the Locus.

John Kessel is a struggling immigrant in the US who works hard as a logger to get by during The Great Depression. He clings to a flame of future hope and this is why he reads science fiction, especially that of HG Wells. In their first encounter, Jonathon merely sees HG Wells.Their second meeting examines both their lives at a later date.

It does not sound like much but Buffalo is exceptional. The Great Depression and the US at the time felt well drawn and real. The psyche of a migrant worker; hope through reading and dreams; and the idea of meaning in literature, are all intelligently explored themes here. The atmosphere of the period is tangible too: Duke Ellington is mentioned and Roosevelt's attempts to defy the depression are delved into through the characters dealing with the arduous period.

I'd recommend Buffalo to any reader. It lingers like a good whiskey well after you’ve finished.

The Locus Awards Anthology is a treasure chest of stories well chosen by the Perth anthologist, Jonathan Strahan. They aren’t the pulpy trashy sort of genre writing but tales that would appeal to any literary minded reader. There isn't a dud amongst them; most are masterworks of the field. In the collection I also discovered The Persistence of Vision by John Varley, which is in 'My Favourite Novella List' (http://anthonypanegyres.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-favourite-novellas.html). I have a writer friend, Daniel Simpson, who used Jefty is Five by Harlan Ellison (another great tale) in his thesis. They are just a couple of the many stories that gleam in The Locus Awards, another one will be mentioned soon in 'My Favourite Top Ten Short Story List'.

The 'Oneiral' Effect

2011-08-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

The 'Oneiral' Effect

I'd like to qualify this before I begin that I'm a Greek-Australian. I'm proud of both those identities and comfortable with saying so. I'm not overly patriotic but interested. I've read Seferis, Elytis, Kazantzakis, Psellus and Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Euripides, Aristophanes, Aeschylus and Homer (etc); I enjoy Greek music: rembetika, smyrneika, Haris Alexiou, Dalaras, Bithikotsis, Melina Kana, Papazoglou, Lidakis and Malamas (once again the list would go on). I like speaking and hearing Greek.

I write in English. I say goodaye. I am a huge West Coast Eagles fan (Carlton are my second side). I follow cricket to a degree and I laughed non stop during The Castle. I read Australian literary journals such as Overland, Meanjin, Griffith Review, The Southerly and Dotdotdash Magazine. I care about our nation and who we vote for. I love Whitlam, admire Fraser, adore Perth and wish I could save all of Australia's unique flora and fauna. Go Bob Brown!

So having qualified that I'm proud of both cultures - and not in the nationalistic sense of saying that either are superior to the myriad of other cultures out there - I think that I'm permitted to write on the 'oneiral' effect.

Often migrants from non-Anglo-Saxon/Celtic backgrounds cling to traditions and values of the eras and countries they migrated from. We often hold ideals of the Motherland/Fatherland being a dreamlike place, where things are purer, people better, the culture superior. I call all this the 'oneiral effect' - there probably is a term out there already used (but that would require research and this isn't that type of blog) - but as 'oneiro' means 'dream' in Greek it felt to me an apt word to describe it. The oneiral effect often places ethnic communities in a timewarp. Not a complete timewarp but one where things are moving much slower than the state the Motherland is in.

There is a poignancy and beauty in the need to cling to a past that has actually moved on. I know many people in Australia who use Greek words long extinct in the modern venacular; I know of many traditions that even second, third and forth generation Greeks hold at weddings that have vanished from much of their Fatherland, the Patrida.

I think that with the modern system of the internet that this effect will be lessened over time but it will have some thin presence. It's both sad and touching; there are dollops of pothos and pathos here. I mention all this because in Neal Ascherson's Black Sea - the Birthplace of Civilisation and Barbarism (a brilliant work) mentions a story which affected me with the notion of a culture under the full oneiral effect.

Dio Chrysostom (a Greek in the Roman period) was a travelling philosopher and arrived in a dying Greek town of Olbia - on the Black Sea. It was a town of now only 3000, which once had been a vibrant city of 30-50000 people. In the surrounding countryside lived the peoples of the steppe, the nomadic Scythians. Dio had come from the Motherland, so to speak, the modern world and in this largely ruined city he found a people, the Olbians, clinging to a Hellenic culture from a few hundred years ago. This to me is the extreme form of the oneiral effect: distance and isolation in a community clinging to and attempting to maintain the cultural 'superiority' of the motherland.

Dio thought the place odd. Here beards were still worn in an ancient Hellenic fashion, while in Dio's Greece, shaggy beards were no longer all the rage;a handsome young man on horseback on recognising that Dio hailed from the distant Fatherland, boasted to Dio of his Hellenism: his feats of bravery, his interest in philosophy and his many male lovers. While in the Greece of Dio's time, the poetry now concentrated on the beauty of women.

In Olbia, they still all sat down in an archaic fashion outside the Temple of Zeus to hold their debates. Olbians loudly boasted that they knew Homer by heart (can't be a bad thing) yet their Greek was antiquated and poorly accented and the city in ruins. They also wore Scythian clothing and had in turn been influenced from the 'foreign' surrounds. They were like some ethnic communities: both more traditional but also naturally influenced by their region too despite their attempts not to be.

The Olbians in alien lands clung to archaisms in an Hellas long since gone. And although the oneiral effect occurs in our own present day society, not much in our modern wired era of communication compares to Olbia - except in a few rare pockets nearing extinction.

Although, I occasionally feel nostalgic for the Hellas of my grandparents and great grandparents, I realise that times change, culture changes, and that today's world may be growing in terms of population but it is certainly growing smaller on most other accounts. Our global, technologically powered, proximity means that the oneiral effect will continue to be diminished too.

The Olbian tale is, nevertheless, touching and for history buffs, Neal Ascherson's Black Sea, The Birthplace of Civilisation and Barbarism is well worth a read.

Book Review: 'The Secret History of Moscow' by Ekaterina Sedia

2011-08-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

Book Review: The Secret History of Moscow by Ekaterina Sedia

In 90s Moscow, Galina, who has experienced visions in the past, sees her younger sister, Masha, transform into a jackdaw and fly away. There's a spate of missing people all likely to have followed suit. In a quest to see what is happening, Fyodor, a homeless street artist; Yakov a cop and Galina jump into Moscow's 'Underground' - a fantastic world of folklore and Russian history.

If you're thinking American Gods and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, then you've hit the bullseye.

Sedia's prose is quite beautiful and she uses sensual language well when conveying scenes. Having said that, a bit of fine tuning by the editor may have made this a better piece as on the odd occasion the writing, impressive as it is, jars unintentionally.

It seems to me that Sedia is attempting to convey Russia's compelling but often tragic past to the reading world. She succeeds in painting a vivid picture of both the Russia of the nineties and of the Russia past, right back to folklore times. Invading Mongol-Tartars; early Greek and Scandinavian influences; the idea of Byzantium enduring with Moscow reigning as the Third Rome; Tsarist Russia; Communist Russia; and Post-Communist Russia are all touched on in The Secret History of Moscow.

There are, however, some annoying techniques. Character sketches are used throughout rather than the usual back-story being integrated into the the text. This slows the pace, although I'll admit to being hooked by the tale of Fyodor and Oksana (an attractive gypsy lady). These back story narratives are giant flag posts waving the reader to the different classes and issues in Russia; they could have been interwoven far more subtly.

A similar thing occurs with historical info-drops, but then again it is hard to imagine Sedia's novel functioning without them - readers unfamiliar with Russia would have required some clarity.

Galina (apart from the ending) and Yakov do not seem to develop as much as I'd anticipated and Sedia's dialogue wasn't nearly as convincing here as her prose. It often acts as an uncomfortable insert to tog the story along. Dialogue needs to do more than just that – I’m a firm believer in Janet Burroway’s idea that effective dialogue requires a dual purpose (A Guide to Narrative Craft) .

As for the plot, it lacks some bite and, despite the elegant descriptive prose, seems adolescent at times. The underground landscape appears forced and fairytalish, and the story falls into place a little too late and a little too conveniently. Moreover, there is not enough tension in the novel's central part. Events provide wonder rather than doing more by adding to plot tension. For instance, Yakov meets his long deceased grandfather but it does not progress much further beyond discovering his own grandfather's back-story.

Despite all the before criticism, I'd like to congratulate Ekaterina Sedia on a sound second novel. There are parts that I truly enjoyed and she's certainly a talented writer with a bright future. After reading A Secret History of Moscow, I would not be averse to reading her shorter work for a better feel and while the novel, The Alchemy of Stone is not on my immediate reading list, it may well find a place on those shelves in the future. Ekaterina is one of those genre readers with a literary bend, and that's the type of genre fiction I like, so I hope she enjoys a successful career.

Short story #5 'My Side of the Matter' by Truman Capote

2011-08-03T01:11:00.000-07:00

Short Story #5: My Side of the Matter by Truman Capote

My Side of the Matter is a humorous short story written from the perspective of a sixteen year old husband, supposedly hapless and caught in the clutches of a pregnant wife and two eccentric aunts. The reader is positioned to sympathise with the husband’s ordeal while at the same time it’s comically unveiled that he’s certainly not blameless in the whole ‘Southern’ fiasco.

The distinct voice in My Side of the Matter makes it an excellent piece for any writer who wants to examine a story in terms of point of view. It also isn’t saturated in the flowery prose that is omnipresent in Capote’s work (which can be dificult for some readers to stomach - although I kind of like it).

While a celebrity in his own era, in contemporary times, Capote is often linked to the film Breakfast at Tiffany's which enjoys a cultish status among fans. Perhaps Audrey Hepburn has ensured that Capote remains in our literary landscape? The release of his non-fiction 'novel': In Cold Blood on screen has also revived another text and any chance of him becoming an ephemeral figure has vanished forever - excuse the pun.

Capote was also an accomplished short story writer, something to be said in a time that saw shorter works thrive and even be handsomely paid for. In addition to My Side of the Matter, The Diamond Guitar is another Capote story well worth a read.

My Blogging

2011-07-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

My Blogging

I'm not quite sure about the blogging world. Is my writing here meant to be polished? Because it's more of a chaotic ramble, which I don't bother finessing or fine tuning. Basically, I go down to a local cafe, type some words on my computer and attach a book cover or picture that I find on google image search and then 'publish post'. All done rather quickly - and probably breeching every copyright law there is.

I hope that this suffices. I concentrate on writing fiction and in that genre I'm content to twiddle away for as long as it takes but I won't do that with a blog. For me, they're rough commentaries/reviews that hopefully a few people interested in reading and writing enjoy.

Anyway, my blogs will never reflect the tasty frothy lattes that I consume while writing them - they are more the instant coffee variety: rough, harsh, vulgar and all that counts is the caffeine hit!

Short Story #6: 'Troll Bridge' by Neil Gaiman

2011-07-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

Short Story #6: Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman

Number six on my favourite list is Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman.

I was immediately drawn into Troll Bridge due to its classic fairy tale trope. The story explores the various stages of life of a dark protagonist who starts out as a young unaffected innocent. There's an air of mystery throughout Troll Bridge that makes for a captivating narrative. Moreover, it made me want to write a story of my own about life's stages - albeit, with a different structure, context and theme.

Troll Bridge is well worth a read from a technical perspective as a writer. An interesting meta-narrative takes place and it also deals with a lot of time in a relatively limited space.

It's an entertaining and thought provoking tale for readers too.

Short Story #7: 'Breaking the Pig' by Etgar Keret; and a Commentary on Etgar Keret and 'The Nimrod Flipout'

2011-07-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Short Story #7: Breaking the Pig by Etgar Keret; and a Commentary on Etgar Keret and The Nimrod Flipout

Deborah Hunn introduced me to Etgar Keret with Breaking the Pig. It was shorter than what I customarily like but its honest style was refreshing and it touched me with the way in which it revealed some simple truths.

It's the story of a quirky boy who has been encouraged by his parents to save coins in a porcelain piggybank. A growing dilemma ensues between buying the treasured Bart Simpson doll or keeping the Piggy Bank, which he has grown fond of.

Having loved the story, I went a ‘Kereting’. But only discovered one of his anthologies in all of the Perth stores. I bought that book,The Nimrod Flipout, but found many of the 'titbit' stories didn’t quite satisfy my literary appetite.

The tales are satirical and witty but their limited length prevents them from being what I’d call ‘well composed narratives’. Keret is often more captivated by a story’s concept rather than its actual execution; which casuses much of his writing to feel like ‘telling’ summaries of innovative ideas. His flash fiction does, however, illustrate an important insight into modern day Israeli society. Although there were a few stories that I really admired – the surrealism of Keret’s shorts still make The Nimrod Flipout a worthwhile read - I never found one that quite matched the sheer pleasure I felt on reading Breaking the Pig.

Keret has been deservedly published in two of my favourite American literary journals: McSweeney’s Quarterly and Zoetrope’s: All Story. I think that Etgar Keret is best read like this – in a collection with other writers; or if you pick up a short story by him on the odd occasion rather than read his work straight through. A little bit of Keret now and then, like a smidgen of vegemite (or caviar for the connoisseur), does wonders, but too much can deaden the effect.

Brief Look at 'Wolfborn' by Sue Bursztynski

2011-06-29T02:21:00.000-07:00

Wolfborn by Sue Bursztynski

If anybody knows how to write for younger readers it's Sue Bursztynski. The French medieval tale Bisclavret has been adapted and extended out nicely to novel length here, which hopefully encourages readers to do a little research into folk literature and also set them on the pathway to longer length works.

Romance, medieval castles and keeps, an enchanted forest, the faerie world with Celtic-like Gods and of course werewolves (the good bisclavret and an evil loup- garou) make for an enjoyable and gripping read with the language suitably targeting young adults.

I had the good fortune of meeting Sue earlier this year in Perth and there are few around who know folk and fairy tales as well as her. Sue has utilised her bottomless well of folk-knowledge to great effect here with Wolfborn.

And More Books (plus a little on Michael Swanwick)

2011-06-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

And More Books

(plus a little on Michael Swanwick)

With the exception of journals and perhaps the occasional anthology, I think I’ll impose a ban on my buying for the rest of the year. I have another novel on order but my reading shelf is overflowing.

This time everything was on sale at Planet Books. Thank you, Planet!

BLUE COLLAR, WHITE COLLAR, NO COLLAR

Stories of Work

Edited by Richard Ford

To be honest, stories based in the work place are not something that I avidly seek out. But this collection wasn't something I could pass up. The list of authors in Blue Collar, White Collar, No Collar would magnetise many a reader: Jeffrey Eugenides, John Cheever, Joyce Carol Oates, Tobias Wolff, Richard Ford, Alice Munro, Eudora Weatly, Jhumpa Lahiri, Edward P. Jones, James Alan McPherson, Annie Proulx, Elizabeth Strout and Donald Bathelme are just a few of the many heavyweights here. Believe it or not, the list goes on.

The City & the City by China Mieville

The hype around this novel finally caught up with me.

Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick

Swanwick challenges genre conventions and often explores controversial themes. He has been labelled ‘over sexed’ and 'provocative'; and he is. At his best he scintillates; at his worst he can read like a literary version of soft porn.

I’ve read the novel, The Iron Dragon’s Daughter, which was inventive and interesting. I liked it and believe that it was an important pioneering work that subverted the usual derivative Tolkienesque elements of high fantasy. While respecting the Iron Dragon’s Daughter, I did not, however, love it like most of the readers I’ve discussed it with. The follow up, Dragons of Babel meandered quite a bit (which I did not mind) and had some captivating parts but overall I felt it was the lesser of the duo.

Contrastingly, Swanwick’s short fiction is more than just good – it is frequently exceptional. He is one of the bravest, freshest and most innovative voices around. At shorter lengths, where his ideas are contained, he has produced some of my favourite stories, which I’ll wax lyrical about another time.

On seeing Stations of the Tide - having recently read and generally enjoyed one of his anthologies: The Dog said Bow-Wow - I thought I’d give his longer length works another try. Plus this one won the Nebula Award.

Why would I read another one of his longer works after not being totally taken by The Dragons of Babel (especially when there are so many great works out there to read)? Well, anyone who writes as well as Michael Swanwick deserves another chance.

Short Story #8: 'Hanwell in Hell' by Zadie Smith

2011-06-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

Short Story #8: Hanwell in Hell by Zadie Smith

Hanwell in Hell met the lofty expectations I hold whenever I read Zadie Smith.

Clive Black narrates to Hanwell's daughter the sole encounter he had with her father.

Zadie Smith is typically rich here and is not fearful of holding back, which is something I have always admired in her writing. Her specific details make the locale, characters and atmosphere spring to life in a superbly drawn story.

Short Story #9: 'So Help Me God' by Joyce Carol Oates

2011-06-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Short Story #9: So Help Me God by Joyce Carol Oates

From Oates’ superb anthology: The Female of the Species: Tales of Mystery and Suspense

Home alone, a young wife receives a call. Is she being baited for a trap laid by her jealous husband or is it a stranger who seems to know more about her than he should?

Joyce Carol Oates is one of those authors who simply inspires other writers. She’s an exceptional craftsman whose tales unravel deliciously- even when there is the occasional sense of the inevitable. Her narrative voice in short fiction is more than just impressive; she is able to evoke emotion and character with an arguably unrivalled mastery.

More Books

2011-06-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

More Books from Planet

Went down to Planet Books for their mega-sale and as usual bought books that weren't on sale.

MY MOTHER SHE KILLED ME, MY FATHER HE ATE ME
Forty New Fairy Tales edited by Kate Bernheimer

I'm always eager to read any new adult take on myths or fairy tales. This fine collection includes stories by Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, John Updike, Sarah Shun-Lieberman Bynum, Michael Cunningham, Kathryn Davis, Rikki Ducornet, Karen Fowler, Kelly Link and many more.

Stories edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio.

Seems like an excellent anthology and includes stories by Joyce Carol Oates, Gene Wolfe, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, Roddy Doyle, Joanne Harris, Michael Marshall Smith, Joe R. Labsdale, Peter Straub and many more.

The Comedians by Graham Greene.

Whenever I feel the need for a reliable read I turn to Greene. As such, I am ever thankful that he was so prolific. I bought this on the advice of Guy Salvidge whose second novel, Yellowcake Springs will be released soon.

Warriors 1 edited by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozois

I just discovered that there is a larger collection called Warriors, so it was a bit of a poor impulsive buy. Dozois, along with Datlow and Strahan (who we are lucky to have living here in Perth) are arguably the three best editors/anthologists going around in the field.

I chiefly bought it because it includes a new novella by Martin; his worlds are like the forbidden turkish delight offered in Narnia - deliciously sweet but wrought with peril.

I am currently reading Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz.

Feel free to comment on any of the above or even your own recent buys/reads.

Book Review: 'The Confidential Agent' by Graham Greene

2011-05-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

Book Review: The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene

A former lecturer in romance languages, D is now a middle-aged confidential agent of the Left, who is in England attempting to secure coal for his side in his unnamed wore-torn home country (which contextually corresponds with Spain). An enemy agent, L, is already in England to perform the same task for what is depicted as the morally bankrupt Right.

From the moment the widowed D steps off at the station he chances to meet the daughter of the Coal magnate he is required to see. Despite their age gap, she begins to fall for the much older D. She even refers quite comically to her oedipal complex.

The story explores class differences, the grey issues of government and business, xenophobia and mistrust. D’s heroism stems from his valuing of humanity and he evolves over the text’s duration into a determined agent rather than the nervous, passive man that the reader is initially introduced to.

The Confidential Agent is a thriller, which concentrates on character and alludes to ethical dilemmas and larger ideologies rather than simply the ‘over-the-top’ action moments that often pollute many of today’s thrillers.

While not as enlightening as the Power and the Glory or The Heart of the Matter, The Confidential Agent is a highly entertaining and rewarding read.

Short Story #10 'A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2011-05-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

Short Story #10 : A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

After a storm, a married couple discover an old man with enormous wings in their courtyard.Both the couple's and the community's actions that follow make for an interesting read.

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is #10 on my list. The 'matter of fact' way in which it is written epitomises the stronger magical realist works.

Short Stories

2011-05-21T02:16:00.000-07:00

Short Stories

The short story is an invaluable vehicle for writers in which they can both experiment and develop their craft. In terms of voice, style and structure, the form allows for some extreme variation that may not be capable of being sustained to successful effect in a novel.

I prefer the longer versions of short stories, if it's under 2500 words I regularly feel unsatisfied. I suppose I like some meat in my reading and titbits do not suffice. I have noticed that my favourite works in the short form still possess juicy narratives.

With more time being taken up these days time with technological communication and people enjoying the many varieties of 'sit-down' leisurley entertainment, the short story could undergo its own popular revival: novelettes and short stories are a good way to sink into some reading without any serious time-comittment.

As for flash fiction: it certainly has its place but it is not something that I take great gratification in reading. I might think that a piece is clever but I never seem to recall it at a later date; there's no, 'What a story!' a few months afterwards. Quite often I feel that flash fiction reads more like a writing exercise rather than a 'true' story.

I find John Cheever, Will Self and Joyce Carol Oates to be exceptional writers in the short form. There are dozens of others too.

I see more and more anthologies at bookstores. Perhaps the short story renaissance has already begun?

I'll be presenting ten short stories over a period of time that are my current personal favourites and what I consider highly recommended reading. Many great stories will miss out and there are of course a myriad out there that I am yet to read or regretfully may never even touch upon.

Horrorscope Review: ASIM #50, Andromeda # 50

2011-05-16T00:43:00.000-07:00

HorrorScope Review: ASIM #50, Andromeda #50

Mark Smith-Briggs, the editor of HorrorScope and a short story writer too, has written a review on Andromeda #50 at HorrorScope. I believe that outside of a generic review of Dotdotdash5, it is the first formal review I have received on a piece. I'm thankful and relieved to see that it's positive.

I don't believe that it's ethical for me to comment on other stories in the collection besides stating that I thoroughly enjoyed them. Mark did name what he believed to be some standouts, which I will mention for the writers' benefit: Mark Lee Pearson’s Whaling the Multiverse; Nicole R Murphy’s The Fairy King’s Child and Dennis J Pale’s Morrow Street.

Debbie Cowen’s The Truth About Dragons, Shona Husk’s Skull Jeweller’s Apprentice and Damien Walters Grintalis’ A Glimpse of Nothing in Silvered were also mentioned in a most positive fashion

Regarding my own piece, Mark wrote the following: Anthony Panegyres’ The Wine Endures [...MILD SPOILER TAKEN OUT...] is also a great read and an example of how well ancient myths can be mashed up with the modern world to create a fresh take on old tropes.

Books Bought Recently

2011-05-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

Books Bought Recently

I recently bought from my two favourite Perth bookstores: Planet Books (Mt Lawley) and New Edition (Fremantle and Northbridge).

I still buy books even though I do realise that I already have a depressingly insurmountable reading list. When choosing, I use a random number system on my 'want-to-read-list' to ensure that I read a variety of writers (terribly nerdy, I know).
Anyway the buys and reasons for them are as follows:

PLANET BOOKS:

The Last Werewolf by Duncan. I heard him interviewed on the radio while driving to work. It sounded like a great read, plus a FB friend, Karen, recommended it.
The Almost Moon by A. Sebold. I enjoyed The Lovely Bones so what the Hell.
The Bloody Chamber by A. Carter. Sounds riveting and I have always been curious.

NEW EDITION

Gentleman of the Road by M. Chabon. I read Chabon's book about writing and reading so buying a novel by him that appealed to me seemed the next logical step.
New Australian Stories 2 by Scribe Publications. Outside of the journals I subscribe to, I largely read writers from abroad. I've been thinking that I should read more from the local market. The guy working at the bookstore also had a story in the collection and I felt a sudden compulsion to support an emerging Perth writer.

Feel free to comment on any of the above books and what your recent buys (if any) are.

Writing Groups

2011-05-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

Writing Groups

It is important that a writer has a reading audience before he/she submits his/her work. In this regard, a writing group is a useful tool. Preferably the group is well read and has a few published or ‘verge-on-being-published’ writers involved.

A group should be capable of offering broad advice such as structure and ideas; or specifics such as scrutinising the minutiae of a piece (line editing etc).

There are some inherit dangers of course:

'B' class readers.
Poor advice. Go with your gut but my general rule is to change things if two or more 'A' class readers deliver the same constructive criticism.
Differing opinions – once more go with your gut.
Generally a good writer is a good editor but this is not always the case. Some strong writers may be biased towards their own specific style or their own reading preferences.

It is vital that members of a writing group are honest, open and thick skinned. A member should be able take and give criticism in order to better not only their own piece but also other pieces in their group too.

I recently had the good fortune of having breakfast with Jonathon Strahan and Ellen Datlow (two leading anthologists) and it was interesting to hear that they usually line edit even highly lauded authors. This supports the case for as much feedback within the group as possible.

If you have a fragile ego you may be of detriment to the group. Be open to suggestions and advice. If you want a piece improved then you really require a ‘no holds barred’ approach. I would rather be criticised and improve a piece than be told how wonderful my piece is (naturally a tad of praise when deserved can work wonders too – I am not a complete masochist/sadist).

I’ll follow this blog up with another soon relating to my own writing group; using initials rather then full names to allow for a certain degree of anonymity.

Book Review: 'The Lovely Bones' by A. Sebold

2011-04-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

Book Review: The Lovely Bones by A. Sebold

Memoir in Fiction

It was difficult not to be hooked by the second line of the novel: ‘I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973’.

I have never had a problem suspending my belief when reading fiction, but I know of some people who were turned off by the afterlife idea in the film. Rest assured, a reader does not have to believe in the afterlife to enjoy the ride here and by using a ghost - the raped-then-murdered Susie Salmon as the narrator - Sebold can travel backwards into characters' pasts as well as stay abreast of their present lives, which she does so with intent. The lives of all those affected are observed carefully, in an almost omniscient fashion; we understand their feelings and their drives more deeply than many modern narratives. There is even a somewhat sensitive insight into the serial killer rapist.

There were parts early on and occasionally at other times when I grew fearful of Sebold. I am not a reader drawn to memoir and Sebold clearly utilises memoir-style techniques in The Lovely Bones. She frequently flashes back and explores past moments with the ease of a highly skilled memoir writer. She does, I grudgingly admit, pull it off with some superb craftsmanship.

And whenever I was convinced that I was going to be drowned in a memoir-style narrative, Sebold would add a tantalising part: a stolen kiss, a clue; an insight into the serial killer’s upbringing; a deft switch of character, ‘sinful’ behaviour; connection and disconnection within relationships; and of course the innovative ghostly ‘other worldly-ness’ of it all.

While the impact of a girl’s death on a family suffices for an emotional story, Sebold takes it to an entirely new level here. And she certainly does not overwhelm the reader with misery; there is plenty of light in The Lovely Bones and gentle humour too. Her prose is generally spare, occasionally detailed and almost always beautiful.

Structurally, The Lovely Bones is a poised, almost flawless work.

With The Lovely Bones Sebold successfully paints a picture of childhood, growing up, familial love and friendship; and conjures up for the reader those forgotten places in the past as well as those precious stolen moments. It is a highly (and painfully) accomplished work.

The Great Raven: ASIM Issue #50

2011-04-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

The Great Raven: ASIM Issue #50

Literary Journals: Overland, Dotdotdash and ASIM and a Brief Discussion on Genre Fiction.

2011-03-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Literary Journals

Overland, ASIM (and a brief discussion on genre fiction) and Dotdotdash

Subscribing to journals is an exciting way to support writers, editors and the arts in general. I subscribe to three at the moment.

Overland
This was the first one that I subscribed to in recent years. I wanted an Australian journal of merit and it was a difficult choice. Meanjin, Island, Westerly, Southerly, Heat, Overland, Wet Ink and Griffith Review were on my list and they're all excellent publications. I almost chose Griffith Review as a member of my writing group, Mark Welker, has had two superb pieces published there. I ended up buying those two individual issues but going with Overland. Overland seemed slightly edgier with regards to its academic articles and editorials, which match my political sensibilities, plus the literature is of the highest quality.

I am still happily floating away with the other seabirds due to the recent news that I'll have a story in the September Edition of Overland. To have a piece in a journal that you genuinely admire is an honour in itself.

When I update my subscription, I'll be including one of the other Australian journals mentioned with the cheaper double deal. A difficult choice, to say the least.

ASIM (Andromeda):
I'd subscribed to Aurealis before but for my genre binge this time, I thought I'd share the love around and try ASIM (Andromeda). Chiefly because Mark Welker had once again contributed a story. It was a privilege to have a piece of my own in the 50th Special Editors' Edition of ASIM.

I think that the best genre fiction still concentrates on the aesthetics of language rather than the all too supertight plot, which can often leave character, and in my opinion the story too, colourless.

Three of my favourite short story writers: Joyce Carol Oates who is a master of the craft; Will Self who scintillates; and John Cheever - a great storyteller; all use (used in the case of Cheever) genre elements regularly.Quite often Australian literary writers are consumed by realism but by using fantastic elements the three before-mentioned overseas writers augment their works' intrigue. I enjoy realist fiction, and write it too, but I also love writers courageous enough to add some 'otherworld' colour to their writing.

Among the so-called 'genre' authors you can regularly find innovative work of outstanding quality that often escapes critics' eyes. Michael Swanwick has produced some excellent short pieces, George Martin entertains, Rachel in Love by P. Murphy is one of the best short stories I've read, and there are other unforgettable pieces such as Jefty is Five by Ellison and Troll Bridge by Gaiman.

Cheever's The Swimmer is a fantastic story and who can deny that the genre elements present aren't an integral part of its ingenuity?.

I know I've digressed a little here from discussing journals - perhaps it's the nature of a raw and rambling blog.

Dotdotdash Magazine:
I'll admit to having a soft spot here as they published my first story and I'll also confess to only subscribing to the journal after my own piece was accepted. Local bias aside - and I am not of a parochial nature - I honestly think that it's a wonderful publication. It doesn't try to compete with the academic journals and focuses primarily on fiction. The layout is accessible, original, contemporary and in glossy colour. It has done wonders for the Perth writing and arts scene in general. So I'll continue to be a fan and avid supporter of Dotdotdash.

Future Subscriptions:
I'll be subscribing to one more of the Australian publications mentioned earlier and I am seriously considering some fine American journals too; most likely one or two of the following: The New Yorker, Tin House, Glimmer Train, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and All Story.

I'm happy to read your comments on any journal that you read, subscribe to, are interested in - or have even been disappointed with.

Andromeda #50, ASIM #50, The Wine Endures

2011-03-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

ASIM #50, The Wine Endures

I am not a genre writer as such - and I’m certainly not a fan of labelling authors - but I'll confess to feeling a real buzz about The Wine Endures being chosen by Sue Bursztynski (author of Wolfborn) for the Special Editors' 50th Edition of Andromeda (ASIM #50).

I found the following comment by Sue most flattering:

"Once in a blue moon I get a story I love. This was one of those times."

It was a pleasure to be in the company of some truly fine (and far better known) writers. The edition has an excellent and suitably varied collection of stories.

I'd like to thank Greg Hughes for his illustration, which really conveyed the essence of both the character and story. It was a pleasant surprise. More of Greg's work can be found at http://arrowfire.deviantart.com/gallery

At the moment I'm reading The Confidential Agent by G. Greene (one of my staples) and The Lovely Bones by Sebold but straight after them I'll certainly be reading Bursztynski's Wolfborn, which has had some rave reviews.

Feel free to discover more about Sue Bursztynski at her blog: http://suebursztynski.blogspot.com/

Dotdotdash Magazine - an innovative journal.

2011-03-17T01:24:00.000-07:00

Dotdotdash Magazine

It is not hard to promote an excellent product: Dotdotdash is an accessible literary journal with an innovative layout (in full colour). It combines the talents of various artists and its many treasures include: photos, pictures, graphic artwork, short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction and numerous editorials. Steven Finch and his editorial team are doing a top job.

This was a review from the West Australian Newspaper on the 5^th edition.

Book Review: 'In Evil Hour' by Marquez

2011-03-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

Review: In Evil Hour by Marquez

Marquez’ early hook entailing a murder of passion over a posted lampoon made me eagerly rip through the initial part of his debut novel. My excitement waned soon after as his attempts in painting a forlorn, cursed and decaying town became a jumbled mess. The heat and humidity are omnipresent, as is the theme of corruption; yet it appears that Marquez did not have the skill to realise his vision here. There are flashes of brilliance but they are lost in the depressing mire that surrounds them.

The Nobel Laureate still offers the occasional sensual turn of phrase that delights so many of his fans: for instance the cow carcass in the river and the accompanying stench was a worthwhile trope. But for the most part you have to search heavily among the cheap 'throw away' zirchonias for anything of value.

I think that Marquez’ fallibility as a novice is interesting in itself. Despite its many failings, the novel gave me a gratifying sense of hope – after all, if Marquez came so far from this point, perhaps it means that we can all improve on our narrative craft to some degree.

Structurally, the book leaps all over the place without any of Marquez’ later mastery of narrative voice. Rather, his voice appears almost identical throughout despite Marquez’ endeavours to portray his usual array of vastly different characters.

With regards to atmosphere, Marquez' attempt at creating a town under an 'ever-present cloud of evil' does not work – it's reads more like a gentle mist. Furthermore, his foreshadowing of events and even the events themselves have a clichéd, almost cartoonish quality that isn’t quite folk tale or fable or something in between.

Although in parts, Marquez’ future ability is glimpsed, on the whole, ‘In Evil Hour’ is less than a shadow of his great works. My advice would be to avoid ‘In Evil Hour’ and explore his more rewarding writing. The bait and hook, which initially seemed so promising, ended up delivering only blowie* after blowie.

*Australian colloquialism for blowfish

My favourite novellas

2011-03-07T17:28:00.001-08:00

My Top Seven Novellas

I don’t always have the time to engorge myself in a novel. Now and then, I enjoy its little sibling, the less committal novella.

This is my 'Top Seven Novella List' (some could be ‘novellettes’ but let’s not be too pedantic here) – all great reads. I’m interested to hear your thoughts or even find out what your list may be.

161 by W. Self

Memoirs of my Melancholy Whores by G. Marquez

The Old Man and the Sea by E. Hemmingway

Breakfast at Tiffanys by T. Capote

The Nonce Prize by W. Self

The Persistence of Vision by H.Varley

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz by F. Fitzgerald

My Favourite Novels

2011-02-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

A lot of my friends ask for my favourite novels - and I often ask them too.

So here is my list:

Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. I have read this quite a few times. Some people criticise its meandering antiquated style but I think it makes it all the more rich. It's all about recreating myth and its unusual focus on language provides a rich context and transforms myth into a layered novel.
The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. The only other novel I've read multiple times. A brilliant work.
Middlesex by Eugenides. I may be biased here :) - but this is a masterpiece and in my opinion the western version of One Hundred Years of Solitude - not with regards to magical realism but regarding the scope and nature of the work. I absolutely loved it and I recommend it to everyone.
Freedom and Death by Kazantzakis. Excellent characters in a well-written and powerful piece. Underated.
Power and the Glory by G. Greene. Many say The Heart of the Matter is Greene's best but my favourite is definitely this one. The whiskey priest is a captivating protagonist in a moving story. Greene was generally a fine writer (The Honorary Consul and The Quiet American are also great reads) but this exceeded my expectations and has long stayed with me.
The Fan Man by Kotzwinkle. Not on many favourite lists but this is by far the funniest book I've read. You need to become accustomised to all the 'mans' at first but once you do it's an absolute delight. A must read.
Timequake by Vonnegut. Panned by the critics but I loved this disguised autobiographical piece. An excellent insight into a witty mind
Bluebeard by Vonnegut
So Long Dr Rosewater by Vonnegut
The Song of Ice and Fire by Martin. I love them all - although I did prefer the earlier novels when he hadn't split the worlds.The best medieval/high fantasy I've read along with LOTR. A masterpiece of entertainment and scope - and I can't wait for the next one. Plus the dwarf (Tyrion? It's been a while) is one of my all time favourite fictional characters.The questions are: Will Martin finish it properly? Has the world become too big for him? I can't wait to find out.
The Man in the High Castle by Dick. A fantastic concept and Dick's best work. His change in narrative voice alone in this piece was unique and something to be admired.
A Confederacy of Dunces Rich, satirical and comical. A novel of genius, which deserved the Pulitzer. Tragic that it was published posthumously.
The Road by McArthy A minimalist bleak world, which is made only bleaker by the minimalist prose that accompanies it. A complelling story of survival and the loving bond between a father and son. Easily my favourite of Cormac's works.
Macroscope by Anthony. I read this at 13 so my memories and age may have clouded its quality but at the time I was impressed.

Feel free to comment on the list and add your own too!

Book Review: How the Dead Live by Will Self

2011-01-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

Review: How the Dead Live by Will Self

First Published: 2000

Will Self is one of the super intellects of modern literature. The question is whether or not his ostentatious narrative style works. The answer is a difficult one, but denying his genius or importance to the world of writing would be a flippant disregard to say the least. In How the Dead Live, Self at times scintillates and at other times batters you about with his famed wit.

Lily Bloom, a wonderfully satirical Londoner, passes away from cancer and is met in the hospital by her guide to the dead, an Aborigine named Pharlap Jones. Kostas, the taxi driver and modern day Charon, drives her to a dead neighbourhood situated in Northern London where she meets her long deceased boy, who has transformed into Rudeboy; and a carooning and likeable lithopedion, a foetus she lost unknowingly.

How the Dead Live is a story about dying, life and the afterlife that examines addiction, family and contemporary culture; always in a dark, sharp and typically Self-like comedic fashion. Lily, for instance, is encouraged to attend Personally Dead Meetings with a twelve-step programme. As a Mother, she constantly observes her living daughters’ progress. The tragic lifestyle of her beautiful but heroine-addicted daughter, Natasha is conveyed in a beautifully sympathetic manner; which contrasts Lily’s cynical narration of her well-meaning and more conventional Jewish daughter, Charlotte.

Lily’s past is unravelled before us, and her daughters’ present keeps the reader engaged, combine all that with Self’s ascerbic observations and you have a compelling read.

At times though, Self meanders, and parts seem to virge on overkill. Especially Lily’s comments on recent world events, which sound more like a showy historical timetable rather than being more thoughtfully spaced out and interwoven through the text.

Overall, How the Dead Live is a worthwhile read. A little less clobbering in parts, such as the historical info-drops, and Self would have created a masterpiece. As it stands, however, it is still an impressive work that ambitiously deals with family in the modern era, along with its many catastrophes.

Books Read in 2010

2011-01-24T00:19:00.000-08:00

I read fewer books in 2010. This was due to a few reasons:

I'm taking careful note of writers' prose: its construction; what tools the author has used etc;
I've read quite a few short stories.
A big knee op kept me out of action

Anyway, I've placed them in order of my own personal preference - that does not mean that they don't all have merit. Most in the list were really enjoyable = a happy reading year:)

The Oxford History Of Scotland

The Quiet American G. Greene

161 W.Self (novella)

Memoirs of My Melancholy Whores (novella) Marquez

How the Dead Live W. Self

Grand Central Winter L. Stringer

The Leaf Storm Marquez

The Tenth Man G. Greene

Arabian Nights and Days Mahfouz

The Names Delilo

Horn (novella) Ball

Ruined Earth S. Donaldson

The Third Man (novella) G. Greene

The Left Hand of Darkness Le Guin

161 and The Quiet American were both fantastic reads.

I was a little disappointed by The Third Man (although it may be a better movie) and The Left Hand of Darkness (there were plenty of interesting ideas but the plot seemed too forced for my liking).

Observations:

I've concentrated on the short story genre.
I've read mainly male authors in the longer form this year (something to change) - but in the short form it's been more or less equal.
I've been writing more and of course editing for others in my writing group.

First Post

2011-01-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

First Post! Writing and reading.

As an author, I've been told that I should keep a blog. As a luddite, this will be a challenge. So I'll be posting sporadically at best.

Last year I finally got the courage to send stories off - and the first two that I'd actually written found homes. Coffee in Dot Dot Dash 5 (Dec 2010) and The Wine Endures inAndromeda's Special 50th edition (Feb 2011).

Being published has renewed my confidence as a writer. I now scribble away whenever I find the time: polishing older stories, writing new ones; and I'm working on a first draft of what will hopefully be my debut novel.

Anthony Panegyres on writing and reading

A Tiny Bit Political: Economic Reform and Mining

Recent Reads: 'Specimen Days' by Michael Cunningham and 'Claw of the Conciliator'

24 recommended short stories from my 2011 reading

'Tales of Old Earth' by Michael Swanwick

Brief Book Review: 'New Australian Stories 2' Ed: Aviva Tuffield (2010)

Brief Reading and Writing Reflection on 2011

'Istanbul: The Imperial City' by John Freely & 'On Writing' by Stephen King

On the Simple vs Continuous Tense

Dotdotdash Subscriberthon

More Great Short Stories and a Little on the Top Ten List

Short Story #1: 'Rachel in Love' by Pat Murphy

Recent Reads and Brief Comments on 'The Shadow of the Torturer' by Gene Wolfe; 'The Quantity Theory of Insanity' by Will Self; 'Flight' by Sherman Alexie; and 'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter

Overland Subscriberthon and a Journal Subscription Update

Recent Book Buys and Recent Reads

Short Story #2 'The Bordello In Faerie' by Michael Swanwick

Book Review: 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman

'The Great God Pan' by Arthur Machen and a Brief Comment on Bookstores

'Dance with Dragons' by George R.R. Martin

Short story #3: 'Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter' by Chitra Banjeree Divakaruni

Book Review: 'The Last Werewolf' by Glen Duncan

Overland #204: 'Reading Coffee' The Writing Process

Short story #4: 'Buffalo' by John Kessel

The 'Oneiral' Effect

Book Review: 'The Secret History of Moscow' by Ekaterina Sedia

Short story #5 'My Side of the Matter' by Truman Capote

My Blogging

Short Story #6: 'Troll Bridge' by Neil Gaiman

Short Story #7: 'Breaking the Pig' by Etgar Keret; and a Commentary on Etgar Keret and 'The Nimrod Flipout'

Brief Look at 'Wolfborn' by Sue Bursztynski

And More Books (plus a little on Michael Swanwick)

Short Story #8: 'Hanwell in Hell' by Zadie Smith

Short Story #9: 'So Help Me God' by Joyce Carol Oates

More Books

Book Review: 'The Confidential Agent' by Graham Greene

Short Story #10 'A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Short Stories

Horrorscope Review: ASIM #50, Andromeda # 50

Books Bought Recently

Writing Groups

Book Review: 'The Lovely Bones' by A. Sebold

The Great Raven: ASIM Issue #50

Literary Journals: Overland, Dotdotdash and ASIM and a Brief Discussion on Genre Fiction.

Andromeda #50, ASIM #50, The Wine Endures

Dotdotdash Magazine - an innovative journal.

Book Review: 'In Evil Hour' by Marquez

My favourite novellas

My Favourite Novels

Book Review: How the Dead Live by Will Self

Books Read in 2010

First Post

First Post! Writing and reading.