Emily Paull

Sadly, today another Perth Writers Festival draws to a close.  It has been an amazing weekend, full of wisdom, and marked most noticeably by discussions which have renewed a zest for reading and literary critique which I have not felt since my time at Murdoch Uni nearly two years ago now.  To put this succinctly; this weekend, I felt smart again. I can now say with a degree of authority that how much you get out of these sorts of events is dependent on how much you put yourself into them.  Being presented with an opportunity, as the people of Perth are at this time each year, to come along and talk to, and more importantly listen to, writers from local and international backgrounds, is an important cultural institution that I hope never goes away or is diminished in any way.  In fact, I wish it were bigger.  This year for the first time I actually purchased tickets to some of the bigger events.  I was lucky enough to put myself in the same rooms as people...

I've been reading lots and lots this last month but I haven't actually bothered to sit down and review any of the books.  Very remiss of me.  This seems to be a January problem for a lot of people- it's just too gosh darn busy!  Have you found that?  Anyway, I thought I would do a bit of a monthly catch up and let you all know what I've been reading and what I thought of it. Books I've been Reading This Month (January) The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton...okay okay so I finished this in December and I actually did review it but it was just so good I can't stop thinking about it!  Also, Eleanor Catton is going to be a guest at this year's Perth Writers Festival.  I was literally so excited to see this that I screamed.  I'm dragging Mum along with me, and hopefully I can convince her to read this amazing book. The Freudian Slip  by Marion von Adlerstein- The prize in my recent giveaway!  This was a light and funny read but I can't say that ...

BOOK: The Luminaries FORMAT:  Trade Paperback This review constitutes part of a challenge series undertaken by myself and Simon from The Blether . Experts are saying that 2013 was the year of the BIG BOOK and you only have to look at recent release lists to see that this is true.  Weighing in at some 830 pages,  The Luminaries  is not the largest book on the 2013 Man Booker Longlist, but it is quite possibly one of the longest books ever to win- this tally includes 2009 winner Wolf Hall and it's sequel, 2012 winner Bring up the Bodies , both by Hilary Mantel.   The Luminaries can also claim several other accolades.  It is one of few offerings ever to win from New Zealand, and it's author, Eleanor Catton, was only 27 years old at the time she wrote it.  If that's not reason enough to be jealous, it's also a remarkable book. In comparison to other books in the shortlist. Reviews in other news media praise Catton for her use of the astrologic...