My new favourite writer!!

I attempt to describe my initial wonder and delight at reading several Gerald Murnane books during the past week.
Here is a short video I love starring Murnane:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJTdh2Rpp8aGfLMsi=dbihNWcczXhvathz
If you are new to Murnane I suggest starting with one or two of his short stories, then reading "Border Districts" and/or "The Plains". That's what I did and I found it worked for me.
Murnane's books:
www.textpublishing.com.au/authors/geraldmurnane
giramondopublishing.com/authors/gerald-murnane/
An illuminating article about Murnane from July 2023:
www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/23/a-homemade-avant-garde-of-one-why-is-gerald-murnane-revered-abroad-but-divisive-in-australia
Thanks to @GunpowderFictionPlot #strayaseptember2

[@AllMyFri3ndsAr3D3ad]

I love your description of Murnane’s work. I just started reading him (I’m halfway through Inland), and what I’m struck by is his precision. It’s just a crystal clear image of his consciousness. There are other writers who write beautiful long sentences which take you on a wonderful journey, but Murnane’s long sentences work to fix you to an exact spot. It’s an extraordinary sensation.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

Thank you, and I love what you have written here too!

[@coral__eh]

I found the video searching for someone who could make sense of it. It's so detached from experience that it doesn't feel compelling to me (by now) still didnt finish it. Thank you for the video😊

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

Thanks for taking the time to comment here, I feel so happy when I get to have a little window into my viewers' thoughts. Murnane is so strange and mysterious, you've reminded me that I should go back to him and read some more. Warm regards to you.

[@GWOutsider]

Great video, always delightful to see Murnane being brought up. He is truly one of a kind, completely unlike any other writer. The most underrated giant of our times. I still remember how I felt while I read for the first time Tamarisk Row (which he describes as a world seen through coloured glass, incredibly fitting) and Inland (nothing short of dizzying)

[@dorothysatterfield3699]

I think I just discovered my favorite booktuber. A beautiful, heartfelt review. I'll be reading Murnane before this month is out. Edited to add that I love the name you've chosen for your channel, and agree with the sentiment.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

Thank you!

[@leafyconcern]

This is beautiful to hear!

[@MrUndersolo]

Never heard of him. Glad to add him to the list!

[@techidna-h9t]

Yes! I am an Australian and I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Murnane's work. Murnane is a curious person who has rarely left his home state of Victoria and has never flown on an aeroplane. I grew up in an area of rural Victoria not too far from Murnane's Plains. His work is a brilliant impression of people and place. P.S. All of the Text Classic series have similar yellow toned covers with somewhat unattractive illustrations.

[@dsbau]

Great. I had exactly the same experience. I read The Plains and immediately thought - I've discovered my all-time favourite author. I got the urge to start reading it again from the beginning when I finished. I thought it was about the sense of restlessness and never being able to really arrive at a place, fascinating to hear your interpretation.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

Oh, I love what you wrote above about the sense of restlessness, that's so helpful, thank you. It's so lovely of you to have taken the time to comment, now I'm itching to reread The Plains too.

[@aungsettkyawmin9094]

Looks like the algorithm found me. just finished the Plains a few days ago. Spiritual and philosophically provocative without the use of directly spiritual or philosophical language. also, the way Murnane paints a chillingly believable portrait of these strange and obsessive individuals (aka the wealthy landowners) that patronize philosophers, novelist and artists in the plains completely sold me.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

@@aungsettkyawmin9094 Hehe the algorithm indeed. I have come back a few times to your comment here as I feel you captured a particular aspect of the book so well. Thank you so much.

[@bmaei5]

Read Murnane’s inland last year and I was hooked. Read border districts and the plains this year and that opinion has not shifted. I find his writing wistful, at times evoking a deep melancholy. The memories, the memories of light, of color so vivid, I feel and see them too. I am a lover of postmodern literature and the interiority of Murnane’s fiction, and achieved in so few pages, is truly extraordinary. And I say that having just finished Gaddis’ recognitions.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

@@bmaei5 I haven’t heard of Gaddis’ book until now so thank you. Also thank you for taking the time to put into words your experience with Murnane, it’s wonderful.

[@annabaillie-karas1100]

Gerald Murnane came to Adelaide Writers' Week a few years ago and was grumpy and brilliant. A truthful, spare writer. Helen Garner tells a great story about his acceptance speech for the Melbourne Prize for Literature.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

"Grumpy and brilliant" is exactly what I would have expected lol. How amazing that he travelled to Adelaide. I just placed a hold on "Everywhere I Look" at my library because I think that's where she writes about it? Thanks for the tip, much appreciated! Lovely to meet you here, Eleanor.

[@apoetreadstowrite]

He has written a small amount of interesting poetry also, he is very reclusive & private, but his writing is certainly unforgettable.

[@kaysworld2692]

Loved this!

[@karenbird6727]

Thank you for sharing!

[@CampusLnnd87654]

Just added 'the plains' to my wishlist, sounds intriguing.

[@jbullets5198]

I would love to see you do a review for Carlie Hoffman - when there was light or claire wahmanholm - meltwater.

[@theonlyrealproperty2567]

Thank you for the recommendations, I look forward to reading them!

[@apoetreadstowrite]

I don't think it's quite true that Murnane has been ignored in Australia, he is published by Giramondo (probably the most prestigious stable in the country) & Ivor Indyk (& his whole press) are big supporters. From a publishing point of view, it must be difficult to foreground a writer who is so chronically reclusive & private, & I think Giramondo is respectful of Murnane's wishes. It's a pickle, I guess.