Justine Larbalestier

reading, writing, eating, drinking, sport

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Settling in

Slowly, very, very slowly, and not that surely, I’m settling back into life in Sydney. I have some bookshelves, though no where near enough to cope with all my many, many books. But for the first time in almost three years I can sit and gaze at my first editions of Geek Love, Wide Sargasso Sea, Fireworks, Black Glass and The King Hereafter and all my other beloveds and try to figure out which to re-read first. I’m very, very tempted to start with the Lymond books.

Right now a whole bunch of LJers are reading The Tale of Genji. Having just unearthed my never-read copy I’m very tempted to read along with them. So very tempted . . .

Sadly, the third Magic or Madness book is due scary soon and I’m not exactly on top of it. I have fifty thousand words. Remember? Pretty much the same fifty thousand words I had at the end of my San Miguel sojourn. Not good. But maybe The Tale of Genji will be inspiring . . .

Posted by Justine at 20:51, 10 December 2005 under Bloggery, Cricket, Magic or Madness trilogy, Reading, Sport, Sydney/Australia | 11 Comments »

Comments

  1. Janey Says:

    Read teh Tale of Genji. It’s incredible and will inspire you. You have my word on it.

    December 11th, 2005 at 6:49 PM

  2. Roger Says:

    You should read the Patrick O’Brien books. You are in desperate need of some quality masculine English literature!

    Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!

    December 12th, 2005 at 11:16 AM

  3. Rachel Brown Says:

    Resistance is futile. Read Genji. You will be assimilated.

    December 12th, 2005 at 5:08 PM

  4. marrije Says:

    ooh genji. i’ve tried that one a couple of times, each time making the book overdue from the library and only getting to page 2/300. but it keeps calling out to me at the library, that big fat yellow spine. maybe over christmas?

    and good luck on finishing the third book.

    December 12th, 2005 at 7:09 PM

  5. Diana Peterfreund Says:

    I read the Tale of Genji in a Japanese Literature class at school, along with The Pillow Book, which I think I liked more. ToG is fabulous though, and I don’t think I will ever get over the fact that the greatest classics of Japan were written by women and not men. It’s tough to say that in the western canon.

    I’m actually reading The Tale of Murasaki, now.

    December 13th, 2005 at 3:50 AM

  6. Meghan Says:

    I love Geek Love. The girl I thought was the coolest ever my soph year of high school (she was a Writer and a Poet and Senior and very very sarcastic) recommended it to me. It is so fucked up and wonderful. That is all.

    –Meghan

    December 13th, 2005 at 7:43 AM

  7. corey Says:

    Inspirational energy must be universal for some ^^ I don’t think I could derive inspiration from Tale of Genji that was of any use unless I was writing something pertaining to feudal(pre-feudal?) Japan. Some people are just more versatle I guess! How soon is ”scary soon”?

    December 15th, 2005 at 3:58 AM

  8. marrije Says:

    congratulations on the aurealis nomination, justine! told ya the year wasn’t over yet, didn’t i?

    December 15th, 2005 at 8:34 PM

  9. 9. Justine Says:

    Janey: I’ve read the first few chapters and while, yes, they are incredible, sadly, they have not inspired me.

    Roger: Patrick O’Brian. Check. Also second ODI didn’t go too well for your boys, did it?

    Rachel Brown: I’ve been loving your summaries/dissections of the chapters. Most excellent! Thank you!

    Marrije: I can see why finishing it might be tricky. Aside from anything else—It’s so big and heavy and awkward to read.

    Thanks for the good wishes!

    Diana: wait—that means there are more really big fat early novels by Japanese women? Cool and yet also intimidating.

    Meghan: um, “soph” year? Is that the year you experimented with sapphic love or dabbled in sophistry? I am confused, but yes Geek Love quite possibly coolest book ever! I’m dying to re-read it.

    Corey: I can’t really blame tale of Genji—right now I’m not getting inspired by nothin’. Will answer your last question in next post what is about to go up.

    Marrije: Thanks! I’m dead chuffed. And you were right. Yay you!

    December 16th, 2005 at 8:35 AM

  10. Meghan Says:

    Oh my goodness. Sophomore year, in high school. I don’t even know what you aussies would call it! I was fifteen, natch. Unfortunately, the sapphic love came later.

    December 16th, 2005 at 10:28 AM

  11. 11. Justine Says:

    I just asked Scott it’s Year 10. You yanks always have to be so fancy about everything. “Sophomore”? Please! I shall ask no questions delving into your private life . . .

    December 16th, 2005 at 10:32 AM

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