The White Earth by Andrew McGahan. Great book discussion at Stellas - Stella, Ros, Clare, Sue Wood and Jane Roberts were present. Roie, home from Ireland, had made us and upside down pear cake - BEAUTIFUL, with Stell's lovely blood orange cake as well. Better than a blog. Concerns from some who have doubts about the blog, in case it replaces face-t0-face meetings - maybe people wouldn't make the effort? It didn't occur to me that it could replace face-to-face - and I still don't think so, I think it would just enhance it - but let's review how we are going after a few months.

Most people liked the book - somewhat. Comments ranging from 'liked it a lot' (Ros) to 'a bit thin' (Jane) - because so much through the boy's viewpoint. Concerns about the boy's age at 9 yo- was he too young to have this level of insight? Began well where the young John McIvor's story was juxtaposed with adult perspectives - up to the Dudley rape scene. After this we tended not to get such layered perspectives. Some concern re dialogue - a bit lifeless compared with Last Drinks, another McGahan novel Sue has read, where language was lively & true.

Gothic elements throughout - the extreme characters, the supernatural visions, the grotesque, the illness (metaphoric, boy/ house rotting within from neglect). House had echo of Rebecca. Burning people - how many? Father, Oliver, John McIvor, Mother, Aboriginal people who returned, figures in dreams of John and William.

White family named symbolically - white's ownership of land, replacement of blacks - themes of ownership and relationship to land quite strongly written. Everyone argeed the One Nation type rally rang very true. Set the scene for Ruth's sophisticated work with Mabo - making her a lawyer good. She is the 'good' white person, who nevertheless has the sense not to gift the land to the 'traditional owners' - more complicated that that.

I haven't got the novel or our blue book where Ros has recorded out notes, so this is just my version - Ros add or amend, please.