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Crush
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
13 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Walker
33 books11 followersThere is more than author with this name
Brenda Joanne Walker was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.
Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.
Brenda Joanne Walker was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.
Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 15, 2024
I’ve always had a soft spot for Walker’s edgy debut noir novel with its heady, pungent sentences and curiously tender minimalism.
‘Crush’ has all the magical unsteadiness of first novels - the bravura, the risks, the optimism - it’s a perfect writing primer in itself and (for me) stands alongside Helen Garner’s ‘Monkey Grip’ and ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt.
Rereading it again this week has been bittersweet - not only to grieve at the passing of an inspirational writer, teacher and individual - but also of a bold and objective style of creative writing that has all but disappeared. Nevertheless, I plunge into new works in the hope that this is a passing phase.
‘Crush’ has all the magical unsteadiness of first novels - the bravura, the risks, the optimism - it’s a perfect writing primer in itself and (for me) stands alongside Helen Garner’s ‘Monkey Grip’ and ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt.
Rereading it again this week has been bittersweet - not only to grieve at the passing of an inspirational writer, teacher and individual - but also of a bold and objective style of creative writing that has all but disappeared. Nevertheless, I plunge into new works in the hope that this is a passing phase.
August 19, 2023
This is without a doubt my favourite book I’ve read in recent memory. I finished it last night and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since, I already want to reread it and try to pull more from the pages.
I had no idea what to expect as the blurb gave like no real information on the story and it presented as a murder mystery but oh my lord is it so much more, the writing is rich, dense and truly poetic with every word seeming to be chosen carefully for maximum impact. It forced my speed reader ADHD brain to slow down, having to properly read and reread pages to truly absorb the writing and properly follow along.
I didn’t realise how much the characters and their world had sucked me in until it was over with a very sudden, twang-at-the-heartstrings ending, it is quite a short book after all but the abrupt ending really sealed its prominent place in my overcrowded brain.
I had no idea what to expect as the blurb gave like no real information on the story and it presented as a murder mystery but oh my lord is it so much more, the writing is rich, dense and truly poetic with every word seeming to be chosen carefully for maximum impact. It forced my speed reader ADHD brain to slow down, having to properly read and reread pages to truly absorb the writing and properly follow along.
I didn’t realise how much the characters and their world had sucked me in until it was over with a very sudden, twang-at-the-heartstrings ending, it is quite a short book after all but the abrupt ending really sealed its prominent place in my overcrowded brain.
April 8, 2011
Set around the streets where I live. Must read again.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews