The White Earth
11 journalers for this copy...
A different one for Andrew McGahan (Praise and Last Drinks), still set in QLD. I call it history becuase it's more a historical fiction than lit.
If you read it, there's a point of tension that builds up to fever pitch and I had to flip to the end to find out what happens..let me know if you did it too.
If you read it, there's a point of tension that builds up to fever pitch and I had to flip to the end to find out what happens..let me know if you did it too.
Caught at the Bookcrossing weekend meetup.
MrLily read it and loved it... still on my TBR list but looking forward to it.
I found this a very compelling and evocative read. And I heeded Aangela's warning and didn't skip to the end, although I was drawn to do so. I felt that it wasn't quite a "complete" work, there were areas that could have benefited from different editing perhaps, but overall it was thought-provoking in many ways. I liked the unveiling of the alternative meanings of the title. As I read the book, I was also reminded of Patrick White's "A Fringe of Leaves" and the paintings of William Robinson. Even though the area depicted is fictional, it really gave me a sensation of land that I have travelled through in South East Queensland, which made the experience more personal. I think that this book will stay with me and is sure to filter into my dreams from time to time. It will be good to reread it some years in the future.
Dropped off to 9moons
This was really great. I was up late a couple of nights with this one! Just one more chapter...just one more ... one more!!
I loved the way the two stories (past and present) intertwined, though the ending of the old man's history seemed unfinished. And my only other quibble was with the "Hollywood Ending". Apart from that, a marvellous Australian novel.
I loved the way the two stories (past and present) intertwined, though the ending of the old man's history seemed unfinished. And my only other quibble was with the "Hollywood Ending". Apart from that, a marvellous Australian novel.
Picked this up at Meet-up. Andrew McGahan is one of the authors featured on the Brisbane Literary Trail. I haven't had a chance to read it yet though! Perhaps after the Convention I'll have time, then I'll journal again and pass it on to someone else at Meet-up
Released this today on the Brisbane Literary Trail on the plaque honouring Andrew McGahan.
Nah, just kidding!
It is , of course, the winner of this years Miles Franklin Award which has just been announced.
I want to read it and then I will continue to pass it around the Meet-up group. Looking forward to it!
Nah, just kidding!
It is , of course, the winner of this years Miles Franklin Award which has just been announced.
I want to read it and then I will continue to pass it around the Meet-up group. Looking forward to it!
I really try and resist the urge to skip to the ending but I will confess that I DID IT!
I can see why this book won the Miles Franklin. It really has a true Australian feel to it that you can't help but relate to. I thought that the boys troubled relationship with his mother was well handled. I have lived in Toowoomba and ventured out onto the Downs and he has really captured the sense of space and the idea of the decaying homesteads and past rural empires. Perhaps he was trying too hard by tying in the themes of the original owners and landrights, with a little One Nation sprinkled on top....but they say you should write what you know, and you certainly feel he has encapsulated a slice of lives we might have lived.
Why did I skip to check the ending? Well it does loose pace about three quarters through and some of the ending becomes apparent.
Shades of Miss Haversham in a Dickensian style tale of power, ambition and decayed dreams of grandure.
The best lines in the book-
"You were only ever an employee, Mr McIvor.......
...Your son was only ever an employee. I think you might have forgotten that."
I can see why this book won the Miles Franklin. It really has a true Australian feel to it that you can't help but relate to. I thought that the boys troubled relationship with his mother was well handled. I have lived in Toowoomba and ventured out onto the Downs and he has really captured the sense of space and the idea of the decaying homesteads and past rural empires. Perhaps he was trying too hard by tying in the themes of the original owners and landrights, with a little One Nation sprinkled on top....but they say you should write what you know, and you certainly feel he has encapsulated a slice of lives we might have lived.
Why did I skip to check the ending? Well it does loose pace about three quarters through and some of the ending becomes apparent.
Shades of Miss Haversham in a Dickensian style tale of power, ambition and decayed dreams of grandure.
The best lines in the book-
"You were only ever an employee, Mr McIvor.......
...Your son was only ever an employee. I think you might have forgotten that."
Picked up at July Bookcrossing Meetup Stones Corner Pub.
I'm so excited about having a copy of this to read! I was at Borders yesterday picking up my copy of Harry Potter #6 and I thought 'oh, that would be nice as well'....but of course it turns up at the meetup the next day!! How exciting!!!
I'm so excited about having a copy of this to read! I was at Borders yesterday picking up my copy of Harry Potter #6 and I thought 'oh, that would be nice as well'....but of course it turns up at the meetup the next day!! How exciting!!!
I finished The White Earth last week and I'm still reeling. It's a very captivating book. Diverse, deep and interesting characters with a very realistic storyline. I'm not suprised it won the Miles Franklin.
Note: it didn't help that I had an ear infection when I was reading this as an ear infection is a small sideline throughout the book.
I didn't skip to the end - but I did think about it.
Next on the list The Submerged Cathedral by Charlotte Wood which was also nominated for the Miles Franklin.
To be released at the Brisbane BC November meetup at Stones Corner.
Note: it didn't help that I had an ear infection when I was reading this as an ear infection is a small sideline throughout the book.
I didn't skip to the end - but I did think about it.
Next on the list The Submerged Cathedral by Charlotte Wood which was also nominated for the Miles Franklin.
To be released at the Brisbane BC November meetup at Stones Corner.
Caught at the BCBrisbane meet (Brisbane, Australia).
***08/12/2005*** This book gets a mention in this article - it's been put up for an(other) award.
Local writers in line for $155,000 award
By MARGARETTA POS
08dec05
THREE novels nominated by the State Library of Tasmania for the world's richest literary prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2006, have been selected for the long list.
The library nominated Amanda Lohrey's The Philosopher's Doll and Carmel Bird's Cape Grimm, as well as Queenslander Andrew McGahan's The White Earth.
Senior librarian (policy planning) Karmen Pemberton said yesterday that the library was delighted.
The award, which is worth 100,000 euros (A$155,000), is open to any novel in English, or translated into English, published last year.
Novels can be nominated only by libraries.
Ms Pemberton said: "We email staff for suggestions and then have a vote on which titles to nominate. It's very informal and doesn't mean we are endorsing any novel."
Both Lohrey and Bird were born in Tasmania. Bird lives in Melbourne and Lohrey will return from Brisbane before Christmas to live at Falmouth on the East Coast.
The long list includes Snowleg, by Nicholas Shakespeare, who spends every summer at Dolphin Sands, on the East Coast.
The award short list will be announced on April 5.
Article is from http://www.themercury.news.com.au
***08/12/2005*** This book gets a mention in this article - it's been put up for an(other) award.
Local writers in line for $155,000 award
By MARGARETTA POS
08dec05
THREE novels nominated by the State Library of Tasmania for the world's richest literary prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2006, have been selected for the long list.
The library nominated Amanda Lohrey's The Philosopher's Doll and Carmel Bird's Cape Grimm, as well as Queenslander Andrew McGahan's The White Earth.
Senior librarian (policy planning) Karmen Pemberton said yesterday that the library was delighted.
The award, which is worth 100,000 euros (A$155,000), is open to any novel in English, or translated into English, published last year.
Novels can be nominated only by libraries.
Ms Pemberton said: "We email staff for suggestions and then have a vote on which titles to nominate. It's very informal and doesn't mean we are endorsing any novel."
Both Lohrey and Bird were born in Tasmania. Bird lives in Melbourne and Lohrey will return from Brisbane before Christmas to live at Falmouth on the East Coast.
The long list includes Snowleg, by Nicholas Shakespeare, who spends every summer at Dolphin Sands, on the East Coast.
The award short list will be announced on April 5.
Article is from http://www.themercury.news.com.au
I didn't find this book as gripping a read as the previous journallers - the historical notes and stories about Australia's heritage, etc were interesting but I had to force myself to read the book (though this could also just be due to the mood I was in when reading it).
I didn't flip to the end, I just plodded my way through it ;)
Will set status to reserved until I find out what this book's fate shall be
I didn't flip to the end, I just plodded my way through it ;)
Will set status to reserved until I find out what this book's fate shall be
It's fate was to travel all of 2 km to my house keeping a bookring and a bookray company on the way. I have spotted this book at a few lunches but never been quick enough, so this was a welcome arrival. It's still in Brisbane and will make it's way back to another lunch.
Just wanted to make a note about this book, it hasn't got lost it has just been travelling silently! My friend and housemate read it in January/February when I was inundated with bookrings, then we gave it to her mother (and it is very possible that little sister had it too). They both enjoyed it and as I returned home from a trip to Canberra it is yet again sitting on Mt TBR. So do not despair, I know it's been a while, the book is being repeatedly read and who knows - I may get to it next since I'm down to one bookring that I'm halfway through ! As long as I don't got to the Post Office I should be OK :)
Yet another friend has read and enjoyed this book, he said it took a while to get into but then it had him reading until 2am! I am looking forward to reading it and I will one day. Thanks again for sharing, this book is certianly doing the rounds from it's current base.
I finally picked it up! And I'm very glad I did, read it in two days and I did not skip to the end.
Loved the dual stories finally catching up with each other and his descriptions of the landscape and connections with it. Great book - sorry to have held on to it for so long, but it has been read by 4 or 5 people at least.
I'm bringing this to the BC Brisbane lunch on Sunday to continue its travels withing bcbrisbane.
Loved the dual stories finally catching up with each other and his descriptions of the landscape and connections with it. Great book - sorry to have held on to it for so long, but it has been read by 4 or 5 people at least.
I'm bringing this to the BC Brisbane lunch on Sunday to continue its travels withing bcbrisbane.
Journal Entry 18 by bookworm-BNE at Coffee Club at Ascot Cafe Bar Restaurant in Ascot, Queensland Australia on Saturday, August 19, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/19/2006 UTC) at Coffee Club at Ascot Cafe Bar Restaurant in Ascot, Queensland Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Taking to the Brisbane BC meet.
Taking to the Brisbane BC meet.
I've read a couple of Andrew McGahan's books and this book came recommended from other Brisbane BOokCrossers, so I picked it up at today's meet-up.
Journal Entry 20 by aleonblue at Under the Eiffel Tower in Milton, Queensland Australia on Friday, May 15, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (5/17/2009 UTC) at Under the Eiffel Tower in Milton, Queensland Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Read this a while ago when the play basede on this book was on in Brisbane - didn't actually get to see it though. Passing on to the Brisbane Book Crossers at Sunday's meet-up
Read this a while ago when the play basede on this book was on in Brisbane - didn't actually get to see it though. Passing on to the Brisbane Book Crossers at Sunday's meet-up
I've already read this book but picked it up at meetup today to take to next months Gympie Bookcrossing event.
Given this at the "All Reads Lead to Gympie" weekend.
Giving this to a friend
Journal Entry 24 by 
AnonymousFinder
at East Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
AnonymousFinder at East Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
I received this. I will read it and pass it on.
