It’s disappointing when people you admire don’t live up to your admiration. I have read most of Tim Winton’s books, some of them now considered modern day classics; Cloudstreet; The Riders; Dirt Music – all fantastic novels, memorable for characters, prose and Australian imagery.
Not long after I read Dirt Music I had a chance encounter with Tim Winton, down at Lygon Street in a well known pizzeria. I won’t go into the details (people I’ve told this story to will be shaking their heads and muttering something about letting go) but I was left thinking he’s not as wonderful as I expected. So for a while I’ve had a bit of Tim Winton moratorium. All through last year and the launch of Breath with everyone telling me what a fantastic read it is, the First Tuesday Book Club awarding top marks etc etc I’ve stayed strong and resisted.
Until last week.
In a moment of lethargy and with a desire to read some quality fiction, I lapsed, purchased a copy and was hooked from the first moment. I managed to finish it in two days (two hours each day on the train) and am now cursing myself for waiting for so long to read it.
I’m not going to give away anything about the story, I’m only going to agree that it deserves it’s Miles Franklin Award . I am also really pleased that in his acceptance speech, Winton chose to rail against territorial copyright that the Productivity Commission is currently evaluating. The speech is delivered with poise and logic, part of it even featured on one of the 7.30 Report this week.
I’m not sure if Tim Winton is getting better or it’s just been too long between drinks. Get yourself a copy, it’s even in paperback so there are no excuses. As for my Tim Winton encounter? All is forgiven, it’s in the past now…
July 10, 2009 at 3:17 pm |
Build a bridge
July 10, 2009 at 5:05 pm |
I said I’m over it…