We have an interesting combination of reviews for you this week. May's theme of "Music and Art" for the 2019 Reading Challenge offers us one of the most "human" of our themes for this year, touching on something that is deeply central to our experience of life as humans.
Tasch and special guest reviewer Theresa Petray (with her second review for this theme!) both reviewed non-fiction books covering Aboriginal Australian artists (one within music, the other in visual arts), which highlight how the arts can be powerful forces in people's lives - either in building their lives or transforming them. Meanwhile, Brenda read a novel that considers how the arts (particularly music) provide a connection between people.
Tasch and special guest reviewer Theresa Petray (with her second review for this theme!) both reviewed non-fiction books covering Aboriginal Australian artists (one within music, the other in visual arts), which highlight how the arts can be powerful forces in people's lives - either in building their lives or transforming them. Meanwhile, Brenda read a novel that considers how the arts (particularly music) provide a connection between people.
Robert
Hillman was chosen to write the biography of Geoffrey Gurrumul
Yunupingu, who was an unnaturally talented musician, born blind in 1969.
Gurrumul was an Indigenous Australian, Yolnu man that came from Galiwin’ku
(Elcho Island), off the coast of Arnhem Land. Notably a solo performer,
Gurrumul was also a member of bands Yothu Yindi and the Saltwater Band. Renowned for his voice and singing
in the languages of his clan, Gurrumul played multiple instruments including
the piano.
This
beautiful coffee table book includes interviews with Gurrumul’s family, friends
and colleagues, photographs in both colour and black and white and song lyrics
in both English and Yolnu languages. A biography of sorts, Hillman explains
Gurrumul’s culture as best a white man can. He delves deep into the story of
Gurrumul’s music making and the awe of audiences worldwide. Hillman also pays
homage to those that helped write the artist’s story. The book includes a CD of
rare remixed songs, playing this while learning about Gurrumul’s life makes for
an especially magical experience.
Author I haven’t read before, Non-fiction, 782.421629915 HIL
Theresa Petray read A Man Called Yarra, by Stan Yarramunua
Stan (Dryden) Yarramunua is a Wathaurong artist, gallery owner, actor, and much more. In A Man Called Yarra, he tells the story of how he came to be rich and successful. Growing up, he idolised his father and spent as much time with him as possible, even when that meant leaving his mum and his siblings and extended family. His father taught him skills like fighting, theft, and squatting. Yarramunua is very open and honest about his past, and not at all ashamed or apologetic about his upbringing. The other thing his father taught him was not to tolerate racism - while Yarramunua’s father was not Aboriginal, he would not abide any prejudice against his Aboriginal family.
Eventually Yarramunua settles back into life with his mum, but he has learned a lot from his father - he starts a gang in Shepparton, then as he grows up he drifts between jobs. He falls in love, but is regularly unfaithful to his partner. He becomes addicted to alcohol, which fuels his self-destructive habits.
A Man Called Yarra is a true rags-to-riches tale, though, and Yarra talks about the process of becoming sober, finding a passion for acting and painting, and becoming unapologetically wealthy. Although Yarramunua remains deeply flawed throughout his candid life story, and although I’m not at all a fan of his politics, he is completely charming and likeable. Now, Yarramunua uses his art, and the wealth it has created, for social and community good.
Non-fiction, Australian author, new-to-me author, check your local library for copies.
Brenda Carter read An Equal Music, by Vikram Seth
And into that gate they shall enter, and in that house they shall dwell, where there shall be no cloud, nor sun, no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession, no foes nor friends, but one equal communion and identity, no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity (John Donne).
So begins An Equal Music, Seth’s third novel. You may have read Seth’s earlier and much lengthier work, A Suitable Boy. I was inspired to read An Equal Music after reading Liz Byrski’s novel, A Month of Sundays (available from your local library). In this novel, four women from an online book club meet for a month-long holiday and take turns selecting a novel for the others to read. An Equal Music is one of them.
In real life, this novel has had a polarizing effect on its readers. Music has a central place in the story, particularly classical music, as the main protagonists comprise a classical quartet. Two of the musicians who were formerly lovers meet again after an absence of many years. The novel explores the tension between passion, memory, change and growth. Seth’s language is lyrical and evocative, a pleasure to read even if you are not familiar with his many allusions to musical works.
This is a novel for those who love music, romance and struggle. In the Author’s Note, Seth writes, “Music to me is dearer even than speech”. In the end, music is the means by which the characters come closest to attaining “equal possession…equal communion and identity…equal eternity”.
Fiction, An author I haven’t read, 820I SET 1C EQU
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