Staff Favourites Term 4, 2009 - Scotch College Library

... the focus moves from the slap itself to explore the difficulty of marriage, work-life balance and mid-life crisis in a modern world.

The slap of the title takes place at a family BBQ in Melbourne: spoiled brat toddler Hugo is about to swipe 8-year old Rocco with a cricket bat. Rocco's father slaps Hugo to prevent this. The result? Friends and relatives divided. However, the book is about more than this, and the focus moves from the slap itself to explore the difficulty of marriage, work-life balance and mid-life crisis in a modern world. I agree with Emily Atchison's comments in her earlier review of the same book that the structure Tsiolkas employs - of telling the story from a different character's point of view in each section - makes the book engaging. However, I found it hard to keep reading at times due to the sheer dislikeability of many of the characters. Yes, the book tapped into conundrums faced by many 30 and 40-somethings in first world countries. But at times you wanted to shake them and say 'stop being so selfish! You have a kind wife and healthy children, so stop worrying about your grey hair and the fact that the kids are hindering your music or recreational drug habits!' A thought-provoking read, but I hope I don't get stuck next to any of these characters at a dinner party.

... The novel has the usual exploration of social norms and the female protagonist facing difficult decisions about relationships and marriage ...

At the time of her death, Austen left an unfinished work about a seaside bath town called Sanditon and its close-knit group of inhabitants. Shapiro, an expert on Austen and her writing, has taken Austen's piece and turned it into a complete novel. It is hard to tell where Austen's writing finishes and Shapiro's begins (according to some websites, Austen wrote the first half or so plus planned the ending). The novel has the usual exploration of social norms and the female protagonist facing difficult decisions about relationships and marriage, plus a smattering of caddish men and cases of mistaken identity!

A thoroughly enjoyable novel, well researched and difficult to put down.

The White Queen details brilliantly, the life of Elizabeth Woodville, a common woman who ascends to royalty by virtue of her beauty. She marries Edward IV, and as Queen of England, is the passionate wife of a king and devoted mother to his children. The setting is at the height of the War of the Roses and Elizabeth's life is filled with violent conflict, betrayal and murder. Once again Philippa Gregory has produced an entertaining historical novel, exploring the unsolved true mystery of the central figures of that time. A thoroughly enjoyable novel, well researched and difficult to put down.

... A great read ...

I had the privilege of hearing the author Craig Silvey speak at a "book club" event recently. It was great to gain some background to his writing and thinking. Whilst Jasper Jones has been labelled as suitable for the "younger reader" it hits the spot for all ages. It allows the reader the enter the world of 13 year old Charlie who lives in a small WA country town. Jasper Jones knocks on Charlie's sleepout window one evening... and the story takes off. This wonderful book includes elements of sadness, indigenous issues, relationships, cricket, peer pressure, love, grief, trauma, redemption... whew, it has it all. A great read from a very talented young Australian. By the way the book recently won the 2009 Indie Book of the Year Award!

Mitford has a great style and her well-timed dialogue makes you laugh out loud.

Anyone who loved "Pride and Prejudice" is bound to love Mitford's collection of stories, filled with eccentric British characters pursuing love and creating scandals in this very mannered world. Mitford has a great style and her well-timed dialogue makes you laugh out loud. This collection is made up of three novels which each tell the tale of a different character, who are all connected by family and geography. A very well crafted and interesting set of stories.

You'll find the same visceral love of Australian landscapes, vivid portraits of the people with their loveable, fatal flaws, and the same exciting, imaginative scope. And to top it off, Tolz is delightfully, irreverently funny.

I thoroughly enjoyed this rambling, ambitious, very, very Australian masterpiece. Tolz leads us blindfolded through a maze with twists and turns like the literal maze that Martin Dean, one of his main characters builds for himself to live in. Terry Dean, the brother of Martin is a Ned Kelly style man, brutal and at least partly mad but loved by the Australian public for his murderous escapades - all aimed at purging sacred Aussie sports of the criminals who rort the systems. His brother's notoriety contributes to Martin's slow, inexorable descent into madness, a curse to which his own son Jasper is in danger of succumbing. These are well-fleshed out, quirky, intelligent characters supported by equally interesting women. Anouk, a nubile, smart, slightly kooky left-wing radical who enters the Deans' lives when she runs her keys along the body of Martin's new red MG convertible, and the beautiful Caroline, apex to a love triangle both tragic and believable. If you like Peter Carey, try Tolz. You'll find the same visceral love of Australian landscapes, vivid portraits of the people with their loveable, fatal flaws, and the same exciting, imaginative scope. And to top it off, Tolz is delightfully, irreverently funny.