The Dickinson Papers
by Mark Ragg
A hunt for a stolen exhibition on the letters and poems of American poet Emily Dickinson is the spark for a correspondence between Jock, a lover of poetry and weekend father, and Lola, a museum curator. Set in Sydney, this is a light, but clever dip into the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson and a enjoyable trip around contemporary Sydney. Some clever touches include the descriptions of some of Sydney’s infamous crimes and murders (ever so light-heartedly, even comically) cleverly mirroring Dickinson’s obsession with death and immortality, and the layout of the novel in a simple, poetic way with short chapters and catchy headings that invoke the scribblings of Emily D. Smart writing, nice characters and generally, a good read.
About the author
by Mark Ragg
A hunt for a stolen exhibition on the letters and poems of American poet Emily Dickinson is the spark for a correspondence between Jock, a lover of poetry and weekend father, and Lola, a museum curator. Set in Sydney, this is a light, but clever dip into the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson and a enjoyable trip around contemporary Sydney. Some clever touches include the descriptions of some of Sydney’s infamous crimes and murders (ever so light-heartedly, even comically) cleverly mirroring Dickinson’s obsession with death and immortality, and the layout of the novel in a simple, poetic way with short chapters and catchy headings that invoke the scribblings of Emily D. Smart writing, nice characters and generally, a good read.
About the author
Dr Mark Ragg is the Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the School of Public Health, University of Sydney. A writer, editor, publisher and medical practitioner, Mark has worked in emergency medicine, has worked for The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald as a journalist, has written 15 books, has worked as a bookmaker’s clerk and as a consultant to various governments and NGOs, mainly on matters of communication.
He is interested in communications, advocacy, mental health, cancer and the health of disadvantaged people, with a particular interest in smoking and mental health.
He has five children, and has lived in Sydney all his life. He has written non-fiction books and has had poetry published. This is his first novel.
He is interested in communications, advocacy, mental health, cancer and the health of disadvantaged people, with a particular interest in smoking and mental health.
He has five children, and has lived in Sydney all his life. He has written non-fiction books and has had poetry published. This is his first novel.
Comment on The Dickinson Papers (Random House, Sydney, 2006) by Caroline
Woodlands Bookclub rating 3
Book no 2107 (Sue K)
