After my extravagances at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival, I embarked on a period of abstinence from book-buying, but I couldn’t resist these bargains from Readings which arrived in the mail today. (And free postage during September too!)
I’ve wanted that Oxford Companion for ages and the biography of Henry Handel Richardson was irresistible. The Gunter Grass is on the 1001 Books I Must Read, and The Siege of Leningrad is pre-reading for our trip to Russia next year.
And the DVD? Well…the Spouse and I are about to go to a performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute by the South African Isango Ensemble at the Melbourne Festival. The PR says
Isango Ensemble’s playful musical flourishes abound: Papagano’s flute is instead a jazzy trumpet while marimbas and other traditional African instruments send liquid tremors through the score, creating a vibrant, enchanting and deeply percussive musical theatre. Jubilantly theatrical and gloriously energetic, this unforgettable production perfectly captures the joy and exuberance of Mozart’s extraordinary work.
The DVD is on hand just in case I need to counter-balance the ‘distinctive sound and beat of South African instrumentation’ with the real thing afterwards…
The Tin Drum is the new translation by Breon Mitchell I think. I have that and it is one of my all-time top (ten?) reads. Superb stuff.
I hope you and your husband enjoy The Magic Flute – what a wonderful opportunity. I am not really an opera fan but the sound and spectacle will undoubtedly be marvellous.
After my hectic summer I now intend to begin reading and writing again and look forward to catching up with your blog
By: Tom Cunliffe on September 26, 2011
at 6:08 pm
That’s a good recommendation about the translation, Tom, I’m glad I bought the right one.
After your adventures with the diesel, I expect you’re glad to be back home. It’s surprising how easy it is to make mistakes when abroad, that would never happen at home.
By: Lisa Hill on September 26, 2011
at 8:23 pm
The Tin Drum is outstanding – I have the new translation waiting for me too. If this is your first encounter with this novel, Lisa, you’re in for a rare treat!
By: Evan on September 27, 2011
at 4:37 pm
Hello Evan – welcome to ANZ LitLovers! I can see that I’m going to have to move this book up the TBR quick smart! Thanks for the recommendation, it’s always good to know that I’ve got the best translation because it can make or mar a novel, that’s for sure.
By: Lisa Hill on September 27, 2011
at 5:00 pm
look forward to your thoughts on tin drum ,all the best stu
By: winstonsdad on October 4, 2011
at 2:19 am
Thanks for dropping by, Stu:)
By: Lisa Hill on October 4, 2011
at 7:20 am