Great winter reads by Mark Laurie of South Seas Books at Port Elliot

Autumn book reviews

by Mark Laurie of South Seas Books, Port Elliot.

Chasing the McCubbin

by Sandi Scaunich

Published by Transit Lounge Publishing ISBN 9781925760590 $29.99

A microcosmic story, set in Melbourne’s outer suburbia during the early 1990s recession memorably described as the one ‘we had to have.’ Joseph, a teenage refugee from domestic violence and an utterly broken home, is crushed by his circumstances and largely disengaged from a world which has offered him so little. By a chance meeting, he is introduced to Ron and his world of antique collectors, a highly competitive and eclectic group making their living by trawling garage sales and hard rubbish piles for unrecognised gems. Here is a social ecosystem populated by a rigid stratum of genuine collectors, ‘tool men’, ‘cord cutters’ and tyre kickers. Prospecting for authenticity, their grail is to find that original transformative item, a ‘McCubbin’, in a sea of copies and dross. Brought together by need, trust and appreciation grow as Ron and Joseph travel the Trading Post-ordained ‘songlines’ of their profession, finding friendship as they seek transformative wealth. Ultimately it is this friendship which becomes transformative for Joseph, its lessons and meaning unlocking reservoirs of loss and untapped potential alike. It would be easy to describe this story as of people and places on the edges or margins of Australian city life. But to do so, would be unthinking and glib. This mix of poignancy, darkness, humour and the vernacular lies at the centre of our place in this world and time. It reflects the society we have made and existences of a great many. The authenticity of this book stares at us as it entertains.

Falling

by T.J. Newman Published by Simon & Schuster ISBN 9781398507258 $29.99

A new author, drawing from her experience as a flight attendant, has followed in the footsteps of Arthur Hailey with a thriller centred around human aviation. The family of the pilot of Flight 416 from Los Angeles to New York are being held hostage as he is ordered to crash the plane, with its 146 souls on board and his closest friend among the crew, in order to save their lives. The action plays out both in the air and on the ground, its novelty and depth lying with the author’s inside knowledge of flight operations and the roles played by its various officers when the chips are well and truly down. There’s nuance too, around the terrorists and their cause, which inspires reflection and dismay. A defiantly American airport novel, there is never any real doubt that the strength, capability, and integrity of those involved will ultimately triumph and they will heroically carry the day. Cometh the hour, cometh the flight attendant! However, at a time when flying has become more a matter of necessity than pleasure for many, an undertaking ridden with a new invisible risk, perhaps it’s the best time to enjoy such traditionally structured suspense, cocooned by the capabilities and sense of duty of those on the side of good.

Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World

by Simon Winchester

Published by William Collins (an imprint of Harper Collins) ISBN 9780008359126 $34.99

Simon Winchester’s latest narrative history presents a sweeping account of human engagement with land and how we have measured, expropriated, fenced and sought to possess it through time. The story begins loftily with exploration, survey and scientific enquiry. These undertakings are worthy in their own right, and perhaps provide a foundation for serious and sympathetic interest in land and its features and occupants, whether human, animal or botanical. However, in a straightforward indictment of imperialism, of human political economy, and potentially, even of human nature itself, the author charts an unedifying progression to ‘conquest, cruelty and mercantile greed.’ Exclusion, exploitation and degradation have in turn followed close at heel, testing the ‘patience of the acres’ to the insanity of those living upon them. Such features of our occupation continue largely unabated today, notably in Australia, that sponsored home to speculative land dealings, large holdings, and the spurious land ‘supply’ problem. There is much to fascinate here as we veer between accounts of how the finite size of the world was measured, the eccentricities of the Canadian border with the United States, origins and effects of barbed wire, Scottish clearances, the extent of Gina Rinehart’s holdings, and the ebullience of nature in the human-free demilitarised zone of the Koreas. There’s also much to consider about the legal nonsense and artifice of ‘owning’ what belongs to nature, a central tenet in our commodification of everything, already spreading to beaches, to water and perhaps, in the future, to the air we breathe?

The Song of the Lark

by Willa Cather

Published by Penguin Classics ISBN 9780241338162 $22.99

First published in 1915, this semiautobiographical novel was the second in the ‘Prairie Trilogy’ which established Cather as the literary voice of America’s mid-western landscape and the pioneers who inhabited it. Within this context, it explores the sacrifice of a life of singleminded striving for artistic perfection, and the transcendent beauty and power that lie with its achievement. Born into a large Methodist family in the dusty, small-town reaches of Colorado, Thea Kronborg follows her calling to the great opera houses of Europe and New York. Strong willed, dismissive of mediocrity and determined to make her own way, she and the talent she harbours nevertheless inspire a series of sympathetic men to help her and her career in various ways, something of a reversal of traditional roles and social mores of the day. With a title inspired by a Jules Breton painting of a French rural idyll, later to be declared America’s most beloved artwork, the striking artistry of the book lies in its polychromatic landscape descriptions and timeless observations of human relationships. Cather and her central characters must always decide between the connectedness and letting go which allows individuals to thrive. Like many great works, it harbors a narrative which explores, but can never resolve, that tension between individual aspiration and community belonging, the doomed quest for balanced resolution of which we must always seek.

Cellar celebrations

Set among wizened river red gums, the picturesque wine region of Langhorne Creek boasts some of Australia’s oldest vines, with the first plantings taking root in the 1860s. Cabernet sauvignon has been the region’s traditional star, but Meditteranean varietals like montepulciano, lagrein, dolcetto and fiano all thrive in the fertile soils. Set out on a daytrip this winter and perhaps discover a new favourite drop.

Above: The impressive red gum lever arm used for the original basket press sits as a testament to the rich history of the region in the winery museum at Bleasdale. Photo by John Montesi.

BLEASDALE

Wine lovers and history buffs will be equally enticed by a visit to Bleasdale. Taste awardwinning wines in the cellar door, or treat yourself to a prestige tasting of their premium wines. Step outside to learn something new by enjoying a wander through the old winery, home to their historic old press built in 1892. Or up the ante and combine the two with a guided cellar door tour and tasting. Keep an eye out for the famed mulberry tree! Ph: 08 8537 4022 bleasdale.com.au

KIMBOLTON

Join the Kimbolton team at their architecturally designed cellar door nestled amongst the vines and enjoy your choice of a seated wine tasting, wine and cheese flight or perhaps a regionally inspired platter. There’s even a special kids flight to keep the little folk entertained before they escape to make use of the lawn games. A visit to the rooftop deck to soak in the sweeping views of Langhorne Creek is a must while visiting. Ph: 08 8537 3002 kimboltonwines.com.au

LAKE BREEZE

The perfect destination for a long lunch, Lake Breeze offers regional platters and seasonal dishes for diners to enjoy either on the terrace or upstairs overlooking the Follett family’s old vines. Lake Breeze also plays host to the Handpicked Festival each November and their recently completed events space, the Barrel Room, offers a spectacular option for weddings and functions. Or perhaps just drop in for a glass of the renowned red wine, Bernoota. Ph: 08 8537 3017 lakebreeze.com.au

Top: The newly built additions to the Lake Breeze Wines cellar door and function centre includes a lovely garden entrance. Photo by John Kruger. Bottom left: Enjoy, pizza, wine and chocolate at the Vineyard Road Cellar Door. Right: Adults can enjoy a wine flight paired with cheese while the children enjoy a cheese and chocolate platter paired with cordials. Photo by Duy Huynh.

RUSTICANA

The best of both worlds! Rusticana Wines and Newman’s Horseradish – all in one location. Visitors to the cellar door can taste and purchase the range of horseradish products and wines, including their zinfandel and durif. There’s also a selection of local condiments, jams and other products on offer. Bring along a picnic lunch (bookings preferred), relax on the deck with a glass of wine and enjoy the stunning views over vineyards and horseradish crops. Ph: 08 8537 3086 rusticanawines.com.au

THE WINEHOUSE

The Winehouse offers a unique tasting experience from four award-winning wine labels: Ben Potts Wines, Gipsie Jack, John’s Blend by John Glaetzer and Ben Glaetzer’s Heartland and for good measure, it’s also home to Meechi Brewing Co. Alongside their wine and craft beer offerings, the Winehouse also serves up seasonal food offerings and definitely deserves a spot on everyone’s ‘things to do’ list when visiting Langhorne Creek. Ph: 08 8537 3441 thewinehouse.com.au

VINEYARD ROAD

Vineyard Road offers a uniquely different experience. Visitors can enjoy a personalised wine tasting or perhaps indulge in a chocolate and wine pairing experience. Then recharge with a coffee from Kommon Grounds while perusing the range of natural olive oil skincare products from Vasse Virgin and chocolates from the Fleurieu Chocolate Company. Truly a feast for all the senses, all in a relaxed and friendly environment. Ph: 08 8536 8334 vineyardroad.com.au