Friday, 5 October 2018

Notes from Eve Abbey • October 2018


 We're 50 this year!




I’ve been reading some really good novels, not the latest releases, most especially Ruth Park’s The Harp in the South. What a great writer! You can get Harp in the South at a good price as a Popular Penguin, but the typeface is old fashioned or you can choose The Harp In the South Novels which includes Missus, Harp in the South and Poor Man’s Orange. I’m sure if you have been to the Sydney Theatre Company production you will want to fill it all in. Pure enjoyment.


Photo credit: Daniel Boud


The Harp In The South: Popular Penguins by Ruth Park The Harp In The South Trilogy by Ruth Park



I was also given Steven Carroll’s latest version of T.S.Eliot’s private life in A New England Affair. Steven has made two previous imaginings in The Lost Life or in A World of Other People. All wonderful books. This latest one is so very sad it was hard to read.

I admire greatly the writing of Steven Carroll so must remind you again of the Glenroy series about a suburban family in Melbourne beginning in the Fifties. There are five novels now – the first is The Art of the Engine Driver, so check them out at Abbey’s or in your library. Unique style. Great writing.


A New England Affair by Steven Carroll The Art of the Engine Driver by Steven Carroll
The Gift of Speed by Steven Carroll The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll
Spirit of Progress by Steven Carroll Forever Young by Steven Carroll



Finally I have also enjoyed an expanded edition, of Anthony Hill’s Captain Cook’s Apprentice. It is 250 years since Cook’s momentous voyage into the Pacific , so important to us, so it is a good time to publish the expanded edition of this ripping novel. Isaac Manley, one of the servant boys on board was promoted to Midshipman and later became an Admiral so there will be lots to learn for anyone dreaming of a life at sea – both good and bad.




Captain Cook's Apprentice by Anthony Hill






Keep well,






Since 1968 ~ Abbey's 131 York Street Sydney ~ An Aladdin's cave for readers



Abbey's ~ An Aladdin's cave for readers

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