Nov
11
2005
A character named Bret Easton Ellis discusses the first line of Lunar Park. That is, he comments on the first line, and then goes on to compare it to the first lines and paragraphs of all ‘his’ other novels. These happen to be the same books that the real-life Ellis has written, and which made the writer so famous. After giving us the opening lines and paragraphs, our narrator provides an amusing summary of his life, encompassing the furore of the response to American Psycho, the drugs, the parties, the failed relationships, the death of the father — everything. It’s all delivered in a deadpan tone, which means it is pure Ellis. It’s hugely ironical and highly entertaining. The chapter ends hinting at tales of horror to come in the next twelve days.
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Sep
02
2005
Short story ‘The Dogs’ is published in issue 101 of Island magazine.
This is a first-person account of a walking trip along the Moroccan coastline from Casablanca to Rabat in 1992.
Jul
21
2005
In The Plot Against America, venerable US writer Philip Roth rewrites history and takes us on a remarkable ‘what if’ story. Reading more like a memoir or autobiography, the story begins in suburban Newark with young Philip describing growing up in a Jewish neighbourhood.
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Jul
17
2005
Light piece ‘Orientation Week’, published in the May edition of Blurt 28, the magazine of the UTS Union.
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Jul
17
2005
In the UTS magazine Vertigo, issue 3, 2005, review of E-Zine ‘The Human Ecology’ published by undergrowth.org.
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Apr
20
2005
Here is my 200 word review of Ian McEwan’s novel Saturday. Not bad, but the last sentence is a bit bogus!
Nov
30
2004
This short piece providing practical advice on reducing your email spam burden appeared online in the Technology section of the Fairfax websites (Sydney Morning Herald and The Age).
It is a bit lame, but the ideas it contains are valid enough.
Oct
30
2004
Click the link (to the National Library of Australia): Captain Rossiter comes to Eyre’s aid, Great Australian Bight, 1841 (S4576) [picture] / painted by J. Macfarlane from descriptions supplied by C.R. Long, Ed. Dept. Vic.