Jerome Parisse's Blog, page 27

Reilly: the case for literary fiction

I thought it was my lucky day: a friend of mine recently came back from Europe and gave me a book, which had been let behind on the seat of a plane. The Six Sacred Stones, by Australian author Matthew Reilly. I had never read any of Reilly's books, in spite of his huge success, and I was kind of curious about them. I started reading…. and stopped. There was no way I would ever be able to read the book. I did insist though, and read a few more pages, but by then I was feeling sick and had to p...

Twilight

I've finally read the first installment of the teen romance that's taken the world by storm, Twilight. It's not that I didn't want to, but I just had too many books to read first, and too many things on my to-do list.

I was pleasantly surprised by the writing style. I had heard and read many negatives comments about it, but I found it easy to read, fluid, and not drawing attention to itself, one of my pet hates. The premise is very interesting, although not new, and how could anyone come up w...

Bedroom Farce

A friend of mine took me to the Darlinghurst Theatre to see Bedroom Farce, of Sir Alan Ayckbourn, which was written in the mid 1970s and has enjoyed huge success over the years. It is the story of four couples, an elderly one, Ernest and Delia, and three young couples, including Trevor, the son of Ernest and Delia and his sick-in-the-head wife Susannah, who's definitely got the most interesting role in the play. Trevor and Susannah's tempestuous relationship will throw havoc upon the others f...

Writing for the deaf and the hearing

A friend of mine and I are taking on a new challenge: We've decided to write a play suitable for both deaf and hearing audiences, but without any interpreting, captioning or voice over of any kind! On stage today there is a variety of plays that are presented to a mixed deaf/hearing audience. Visual theatre, without any words spoken; "normal" plays, with sign language interpreters on each side of the stage (or sometimes what is called "shadow interpreters") or captioning; or mixed plays...

A kiss or three

I'm learning Cantonese. Yes, you've read right, I've decided to learn a language that most people deem to be among the hardest to learn. Why? I do spend a lot of time in Hong Kong for a start. And I've always been a lover of languages. I know, English is widely spoken in the Island City, even if slightly less these days with the increasing number of Chinese migrants from the mainland who speak only Mandarin. The grammar is not too hard though, it's more the pronunciation and the seven (or...

Launch of The Wings of Leo Spencer

You and your friends are invited to the launch of Jerome Parisse's debut novel, "The Wings of Leo Spencer".

The book will be launched by Jane Malone, award-winning playwright, producer, and co-founder of the inclusive theatre company "The After Party Project", and Caroline Conlon, deaf actor and director.

                        Wednesday 23 June               gleebooks

6.00pm for 6.30pm               49 Glebe Point Road

RSVP: gleebooks 9660 2333 or gleebooks.com
...

Is

I've just finished reading a wonderful novel by Derek Webb (Parthian Books). Is is the name of the book. Is as in Isabelle Williams, whom Robert, the narrator, befriends at school. Is is not like any girl you normally meet in a classroom. To start with,  she keeps very much to herself. And then she is not scared to stand up to the teachers, especially fat Mr Phillips. To top it all, she seems to know much more about science that a girl of her age normally does. She is fascinated by Isambard K...

Angels are the new Vampires!

It seems like angels have recently taken over the literary world. Angel fever is spreading fast. Gone are zombies and the living dead, and the very successful vampires may soon follow them down the drain, although they still have a very strong following; in fact I doubt they will ever leave us entirely. A string of angel books have appeared on the shelves in the last few months. To name a few, "Kissed by an Angel" by Elizabeth Chandler, "Original Sin" by Allison Brennan, "Hush Hush" by Becca ...

A vision of Europe

I don't watch much television, and when I do, it's usually that I have shirts to iron and I kill two birds with one stone. Last night was no exception, and the Eurovision final was on. As I watched the 25 shortlisted songs/countries, I couldn't help reflect on what a huge, draw-out affair it has become. The first I remember hearing of the European song contest was in 1977, when my great-grandfather told me how Marie Myriam had won the contest with "L'oiseau et l'enfant". He was very proud of ...

Literary fiction or gothic horror?

Having recently released "The Wings of Leo Spencer" I am confronted again to the old battle of genres, and I can't help feeling annoyed about it all. Okay, I understand there has to be a market for a book, and marketing is all about defining your target audience. I have been in business long enough to know the process and to understand the impact of a well targeted marketing campaign. Bookstores have to place their books somewhere. Placing them next to each other in a completely random...