Doug
I can at least say I 'was there' when the idea of the launch was mooted!
The real strength of the novel, I think, is in its momentum, which just
carries one forward, and I am very interested in its metaphorical
implications, though too the 'implied history' is excellently rendered.
The aforementioned metaphorical implications have led me into to some deep
thoughts which my current state of continuing jet-lag doesn't allow me to
articulate, but I join with all who have posted on my congratulations to
Alison!
Best
Dave
David Bircumshaw
Leicester, England
Home Page
A Chide's Alphabet
Painting Without Numbers
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.bircumshaw/index.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas Barbour" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: The Gift etc
>Dear folks
>
>Those in Melbourne might like to come to the launch of my fantasy
>novel THE GIFT this Saturday. The shindig is under the auspices of
>Readings and La Mama and is at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St,
>Carlton, at 3pm on Saturday October 5.
And let me kust say that, as an lucky early reader of The Gift, it's the
real thing. A new fantasy the secondary world of which is beautifully
rendered, & full of implied history, while the actors in the drama started
in this first volume of a projected trilogy are interesting, passionate
figures who move through their fabulous landscapes with profound perception
of the world as such. Plus the deep questions of loyalty, inner truth,
love, and hate all play through their acts and thoughts and feelings...
Mind you I enjoy fantasy. But this has all the marks of a budding 'classic'
of the field.
Congratulations Alison, I hope it's a great launch. Wish I were there...
Doug
Douglas Barbour
Department of English
University of Alberta
Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2E5
(h) [780] 436 3320 (b) [780] 492 0521
http://www.ualberta.ca/~dbarbour/dbhome.htm
I do not limit myself: I imitate
many fancy things such as the dull red
cloth of literature, its mumbled griefs
Lisa Robertson
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