G.S.  Johnston

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G.S. Johnston

Goodreads Author


Born
Australia
Website

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Member Since
May 2011

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G.S. Johnston is the author of three historical novels, Sweet Bitter Cane (2019), The Cast of a Hand (2015), The Skin of Water (2012). And a fourth novel set in contemporary Hong Kong, Consumption (2011). The novels are noted for their complex characters and well-researched settings.

In one form or another, Johnston has always written, at first composing music and lyrics. After completing a degree in pharmacy, a year in Italy re-ignited his passion for writing and he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Feeling the need for a broader canvas, he started writing short stories and novels.

Originally from Hobart, Tasmania, Johnston currently lives in Canberra, Australia. He is treasurer of the Historical Novel Society Austr
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G.S. Johnston I went to an exhibition of death masks at the Musée d’Orsay in 2001. Apart from the casts made of people’s faces after they’d been executed, there wer…moreI went to an exhibition of death masks at the Musée d’Orsay in 2001. Apart from the casts made of people’s faces after they’d been executed, there were some casts of the hands of murderers. I was researching another novel at the time and found a book on the new extension to the Palais de Justice in Paris. The first case trailed in the new court was the Troppmann case and the book had a photo of a cast of his hand. I found that intriguing and started looking for more books on the case. Once I started, I was less and less convinced of his guilt. (less)
G.S. Johnston I don't really have writer's block, per se. My greatest issue is blocking out the rest of the world to write. I need a contradictory mix of tension an…moreI don't really have writer's block, per se. My greatest issue is blocking out the rest of the world to write. I need a contradictory mix of tension and relaxation. I need to feel pressured but at the same time I need to feel concentrated. If the cat is jumping around the room, I can't settle. But if I have massive amounts of time and no pressure, I'll just go an put another load of washing on. I guess I've always been borderline shy/wild. (less)
Average rating: 4.08 · 452 ratings · 110 reviews · 4 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Skin of Water

3.97 avg rating — 258 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions
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Sweet Bitter Cane

4.46 avg rating — 82 ratings2 editions
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The Cast of a Hand: Based o...

4.23 avg rating — 71 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions
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Consumption

3.78 avg rating — 40 ratings — published 2011
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* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Climate Change and flat-bed scanners.

So, like, last Friday I went to the Greta Thunberg inspired climate change rally in Canberra.  I was hesitant to go, not because of any disagreement with the rally’s ideas […]
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Published on September 25, 2019 03:25
The Leavening
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The Garden of the...
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G.S.’s Recent Updates

G.S. Johnston is now friends with Zadie Smith
193676164
My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
" But the odd thing is, after having waded through all this, and its inane level of detail and repetitious self-aggrandising, she revealed very little. ...more "
G.S. Johnston and 356 other people liked Phyllis's review of My Name Is Barbra:
My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
"I am a big Barbra Streisand fan but… the level of detail and minutiae she included in this book is painful. Half of these 989 pages should have been left on the cutting room floor. Does anyone really want to know about each furnishing in every room s" Read more of this review »
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Quotes by G.S. Johnston  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“People... people who NEED people, are the yuckiest people in the world.”
G.S. Johnston

“There is no sight more appealing on this planet than a person actually preparing food for the ones they love.”
G.S. Johnston

“The silence became”
G.S. Johnston, The Skin of Water

Topics Mentioning This Author

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Making Connections: 1655. - THE SKIN OF WATER by G.S. Johnston 13 68 Jan 30, 2014 12:01PM  
Fiction Fanatics: * February POINTS Challenge! <3 <3 18 44 Mar 01, 2019 01:37AM  
Aussie Readers: February - Love is in the air 155 227 Mar 04, 2019 09:25PM  
Cozy Mysteries : 2018-2019 Winter Challenge 54 137 Apr 07, 2019 02:06AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. When You're Not Reading a Cozy . . . 1853 862 Apr 13, 2019 07:45AM  
WACKY READING CHA...: Historical Landmarks of Denmark (1st Qtr, 2019) 104 85 Jun 10, 2019 09:28AM  
“You can never have too many hats, gloves, and shoes.”
Patsy Stone

“There is no sight more appealing on this planet than a person actually preparing food for the ones they love.”
G.S. Johnston

“People... people who NEED people, are the yuckiest people in the world.”
G.S. Johnston

“Worse than not realizing the dreams of your youth would be to have been young and never dreamed at all.”
Jean Genet

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Comments (showing 1-3)    post a comment »
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message 3: by Rusty

Rusty Nugent Hello G.S.,

Thanks for the friendship. Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading Moonwarriors: Guardians of the Night. Take it easy, Rusty


message 2: by A.R.

A.R. G.S., thanks for the add!


message 1: by R.S.

R.S. Lentin Thanks for the friendship invite!


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