Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan

I was on the train and had just started this book when another passenger sat down next to me and burst out “that’s a fantastic book”.  Taken aback a little, I replied with “it’s ok so far” (3 pages in) and she glared at me as though I was mad. 

Having now finished the story, I must admit, yes the book is an excellent read.  Although it was published over a decade ago, it hasn’t really dated – or at least I don’t feel that it has.  It follows the life of Aljaz Cosini a river guide who lays dying and watches his life and those in it, flash by.  It’s a layered backstory that really is an inspiring read.  I can see why Richard Flanagan achieved critical acclaim and picked up the Australian Fiction Award 1996.

The descriptions of the Tasmanian landscape are beautiful and terrifying; the characters are incisive and the way relationships are detailed is both stirring and ambiguous at the same time.  This book has been touted as one of the finest books of our time – it is a compelling read.

Love Like Water by Meme McDonald

The thing I loved most about this book was the detail of the characters; Margie the party girl, Jay the indigenous DJ, Sarah the vegetarian with the misguided conscience and Cathy the protaganist stumbling from one thing to the next.  The book has no real pressing plot it’s more of a running narrative that documents a particular chapter in the lives of the individual characters. 

Set in Alice Springs, it touches on many of the themes that I imagine affect the area; racism, heat, tourism, indigenous culture and escapism.  The country mentality is portrayed with accuracy.   

McDonald has a really nice writing style which makes the book quite powerful.  A great read.