It seems I have a habit lately of picking books that I haven't read the blurb of. I'm finding other Aussie Author blogs, following their twitters and then reading their books or books they recommend without stopping to ask what the books are about.The result of such random reading behaviour is that I'm exposing myself to a tonne of Aussie literature, I'm reading genres that I don't usually put on my 'to read' list and totally ignoring blurbs - which I think may actually hinder me from widening my reading scope.
I'm actually able to express thank-you's to the authors and I'm also able to share these experiences with my wonderful world of blogger friends.
The best thing I have found? Books that I never thought I would read with content that blows me away.
Fleur McDonald, is the Australian Author of 'Red Dust' and now 'Blue Skies', twitter buddy, blogger, mother and farmer :)
Fleur McDonald, is the Australian Author of 'Red Dust' and now 'Blue Skies', twitter buddy, blogger, mother and farmer :)
*Quick side note- I am talking about Aussie Authors a bit, not because I have any disparaging thoughts towards any non-aussie literature, but perhaps the opposite- I have spent years reading literature that was born in different times in history, and in lands far far away, and it dawned on me as an Australian trying to emerge in the wide writing world, perhaps I should spend some time in my own backyard, and I'm loving how green the grass is here :)
A little while ago, I never would have thought to read a book set in the outback about cattle and sheep. God, just saying those words feels like a disrespect to the author who will cringe if she reads them. Because it is so, so, SO much more.
'Red Dust' is so many things. Its love. Loss. Mystery. Intrigue. Friendship. Honor. Betrayal. It's an honest to God woman working her arse off in a majorly male dominated world, getting slapped down over and over, betrayed and beaten and she just gets up, brushes herself off, wipes away a tear and cracks a Rum. Also confronted by a barrage of inner conflict, which she faces while herding cattle with dirt on her face. Part of the reason I feel so much for this woman is because she is in that world.
Despite the fact the novel is clearly centered around one woman, we still catch glimpses of the bigger picture. The skill of dramatic irony is one I am no where near mastering, or using to any great effect actually, yet all throughout 'Red Dust', Fleur McDonald has been able to wave a little wand and instantly we feel a little more in the know, we can see something peeking over the horizon and we catch our breath fearing the collision.
You know what is the kicker? The BIGGEST irony was that I, the reader was WRONG anyway! Anything I thought I knew was swiftly kicked to the curb. To pull the wool over the characters eyes can be hard enough, but to dupe the reader as well is a credit to the author and a pleasure for the reader.
In truth it was nice being played.
McDonald is able to fuse the narration and dialogue with essential running the farm info (like cattle types, markings etc) without weighing the passages down, rather serving to give us a greater picture without stopping the flow. I smiled at dialogue peppered with Aussie slang, but was glad for the mainstream Australian English.
There are moments of darkness, and shady antagonists that make your lips curl, mixed with an aussie feel so real its tangible and scenery descriptions that are clear and beautiful.
Fleur McDonald has carefully woven clever plot, real characters, and a taunting mystery, with a little falling in love. And I did.
Despite the fact the novel is clearly centered around one woman, we still catch glimpses of the bigger picture. The skill of dramatic irony is one I am no where near mastering, or using to any great effect actually, yet all throughout 'Red Dust', Fleur McDonald has been able to wave a little wand and instantly we feel a little more in the know, we can see something peeking over the horizon and we catch our breath fearing the collision.
You know what is the kicker? The BIGGEST irony was that I, the reader was WRONG anyway! Anything I thought I knew was swiftly kicked to the curb. To pull the wool over the characters eyes can be hard enough, but to dupe the reader as well is a credit to the author and a pleasure for the reader.
In truth it was nice being played.
McDonald is able to fuse the narration and dialogue with essential running the farm info (like cattle types, markings etc) without weighing the passages down, rather serving to give us a greater picture without stopping the flow. I smiled at dialogue peppered with Aussie slang, but was glad for the mainstream Australian English.
There are moments of darkness, and shady antagonists that make your lips curl, mixed with an aussie feel so real its tangible and scenery descriptions that are clear and beautiful.
Fleur McDonald has carefully woven clever plot, real characters, and a taunting mystery, with a little falling in love. And I did.
I must admit I've seen this book on the shelves but I've never thought to read it, as it doesn't seem like the kind of book I'd enjoy - but then you said the same thing and you've ended up loving it, so I might love it, too.
ReplyDeleteI do this really crazy thing sometimes where I choose my books by their covers (I know the saying suggests you should never judge a book by its cover, but I do, all the time). I hardly ever read the blurbs these days, as they can sometimes turn me off a book. But a good cover will suck me in good and proper.
I also buy the books of my Twitter and Facebook pals, too, because it feels like the right thing to do (hey, I'm following them for a reason!) xx Amber
Hmmmm sounds interesting. I might have to look further into this book.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, there is an award waiting for you over at my blog http://theladycriticslibrary.blogspot.com/.
Congratulations!
I agree! The best thing is reading something you didn't really want to read but finding a diamond in disguise!
ReplyDeletepssst. Don't forget to swing by and check out your blackjack hand today! Do you want me to hit you? ;)
I have an award for you: http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2010/06/more-awards.html
ReplyDelete