Monday, July 20, 2009

If you looked up Ken Unsworth in the dictionary it should say ... genius.
His exhibition 'The Ringing Glass" at Cockatoo Island Sydney is breath taking. A love story. Great art. Go, but hurry, its on until August 2nd.
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MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL


The ACMI in Melbourne, where Don Walker, Krissy Kneen, Nikki Gemmel, MJ Hyland and Catherine Therese will share the stage on 29th August. Session details available at http://www.mwf.com.au/
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I’m a big fan of chick lit. An even bigger fan of crime fiction. So it’s not often a book that does not fall into either of these genres completely blows me away; and has me recommending it to anyone who will listen. The Weight of Silence by Catherine Therese is just that book.
A powerful and moving memoir ... written in a way I can only describe as descriptively poetic, it is certainly one of the most potent books I can remember reading.
Monika www.sweatybettypr.com/blog/?p=1276 -
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Saturday, July 18, 2009

CT at the Melbourne Writers Festival
Complete program and details available at http://www.mwf.com.au/
August 29th

WHAT’S LEFT OUT?
VENUE ACMI Studio 1 CODE 2974
When writing memoirs where do tell-all
memoirists draw the line? Krissy Kneen,
Catherine Therese and Don Walker discuss
what’s hidden under the white-out.


OUTSIDERS
VENUE ACMI 2 CODE 2926
Isolation, exclusion, trauma and being on the
outside are dealt with differently by adults and
children. Two of our most prominent authors,
MJ Hyland and Nikki Gemmell, come together
with critically acclaimed debut author Catherine
Therese to reflect on how we adapt to difficult
situations.
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Thursday, July 16, 2009

FIRST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB
Discussion: Suggestion - The Weight of Silence

Author: girlie
Date/Time 09 Jul 2009 8:18:42pm
Have just finished reading The Weight of Silence by Catherine Therese. What a book! An extraordinary achievement for a first-time Australian author on a Varuna fellowship; it's experimental writing, but is a real page turner and difficult to put down. I was just blown away and would love to listen to a discussion by the panel.


Author: Cheq
Date/Time 16 Jul 2009 4:46:40pm
I agree! I would love to see THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE appear on the show. This incredible book has so many points of dicussion and could cause some conflict on the panel.
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Monday, July 13, 2009

Author Catherine Therese shares her exploration of language, love and redemption
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 9:54am
Shearer's Tuesday Night Book Club had a blast with Catherine Therese when she joined them to discuss her memoir The Weight of Silence. Quite literally, we were all glued to our chairs listening to Catherine retell her journey which began as a four year old with literary aspirations to the publishing of her memoir in May. She even produced her never published, but nonetheless precious, first work 'The Norty Girl' which is about the adventures of a naughty child (the second chapter follows a good girl) which as a group we all deemed pretty darn impressive. Talk about things to come... She also regaled us with stories about her author-audience experiences, some of which were truly bizarre and was extremely generous with us when we grilled her further about her story. Not your average memoir, The Weight of Silence is all at once an exploration of language, emotion, memory, and redemption. The Tuesday Night Book Club loved this book, and can't wait to hear more from Catherine Therese.
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I just wanted to write and let you know what a fabulous night my book club had with Catherine Therese last night. Catherine was so articulate and generous with not only her story, but also with her journey as a published author. My book club stayed back for another half hour just talking about how impressed they were and how much she enriched the book for them. A stupendously huge "thanks" from all of us here at Shearer's. Megan... Shearer's on Norton99 Norton StreetLeichhardt NSW 2040 http://www.shearersbookshop.com.au/
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It's Ali, she of the poking seaweed book, I wanted to tell you how fabulous I thought your talk went the other night. You said so many beautiful things which spoke to me about your relationship with writing. You put into words, feelings and relationships to words and writing that I am so completely unconscious of in myself. When asked about my own writing, I only wish I could be as eloquent and as poignant as you were. Good luck with this magnificent book - it's a huge achievement. I'm still reading it - and enjoying it all the more having heard you read your first chapter - which you did beautifully. Truly, the way you read it, was mesmerising, enchanting and well, quite frankly, fucking great!
Alison Whitelock
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Reviews for The Weight of Silence

  • AUSTRALIAN BOOKSELLER & PUBLISHER MAGAZINE ..."This is a special memoir. It is written with great feeling, imagination, humour and originality, and shows a writer with a distinct view of the world within and around her."
  • AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY ....Recommended read ... " A moving and funny childhood memoir ....timeless."
  • BETTER READ THAN DEAD --- Bookshop... " Catherine Therese puts her childhood memories on display in this raw, moving and at times hilarious account of her younger life. This book is well written and unique, and touches on issues that are easily identifiable with us all. The natural curiosity of a growing girl never makes for a dull story and if at times you need a breather from the back streets of Blacktown, just close the pages and stare at the front cover! What an image. I loved this biography."
  • BIG W ENTERTAINMENT... 5 STARS ..." Stunning, heartbreaking, book, that deserves multiple readings. I have never read such a revealing portrayal of childhood. Therese uses the language we think in not speak and as such this gem of a book is an utter revelation. It is beautifully , hauntingly written. As soon as I finished it I started again. Genius."
  • CANBERRA TIMES...Emily Maguire '...Its a hearfelt, funny and deeeply moving memoir about flawed families, unconditional love and growing up too fast but turning out okay anyway.'
  • CHRIS BURGESS ---- Leading Edge --- " The Weight of Silence is without doubt one of the most exciting and exceptional Australian debuts of recent years. Describing it as a ‘memoir’ hardly does justice to the imagination, verve and freedom expressed in this strikingly original work. At a surface level it is the story of Catherine Therese’s childhood and early teens growing up with her rather unusual family in the western suburbs of Sydney. At a deeper level it takes the reader deep within the experience of a difficult family life in a way that is challenging, funny, heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring. This is ‘stream of consciousness’ writing without literary pretension. Raw, honest and incredibly imaginative, I loved it. "
  • DI MORRISSEY... Author..." This book is SO moving...just beautiful.
  • FRANKIE MAGAZINE..." Guys like David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs have given the term ‘memoir’ a swift kick up the arse and now we can add Catherine Therese to the list."
  • GOOD READING MAGAZINE...' 5 STARS Outstanding. Catherine Therese's first book is one of the most compelling childhood memoirs I have ever read . Often it seems as if she is just throwing down whatever thoughts are inside her head down on paper. This unique writing style using prose and poetic verse reminds me a little of Augesten Burroughs. It's an unforgettable book that will remind you of many childhood stories that have never been told.
  • MADISON MAGAZINE..." This memoir is a bouquet of dark humour laced with heartbreak and the kind of suburban detail to which we can all relate. Therese has crafted a coming of age reminiscence populated by wonderful characters and suffused with unblinking honesty... A highly worthwhile read from a sharp new Australian voice. "
  • MANLY DAILY ..." This is a brave memoir that successfully engages the voice of Therese as a child and teenage narrator.It is a beautifully written chameleon of a book dotted with pint sized poems that sometimes befuddle, sometimes dazzle.It will perform its way into your heart and mind, then quietly turn itself inside out and reveal its secrets before rushing headlong into the final pages that will leave you holding your breath. A courageous debut.
  • NICK TATE ---- Actor --- " Catherine Therese has written a stunning autobiography, an extraordinary book. She truly is a one off, a delightful, funny, quirky painfully honest young woman; this is one very brave, courageous, talented writer, one we are going to hear a great deal more from. I have no doubt that this book will take Australia by storm. "
  • PETER BISHOP --- Creative Director Varuna ---- " This is a book of deep, sacred dignity and the highest literary skill and imagination. The story comes to life through acute observation and detail and a unique voice and beautiful writing; an impressionistic style, a quivering, shimmering presence; a vitalitythat gives one a sense that there may be another way of living, of looking at the world. "
  • READINGS--- Melbourne --- " Catherine Therese’s family all describe her as ‘unusual’ (pronounced ‘un-you-sual’). In this unique memoir, she tells us of her pride in having an outie belly button, being greedy for choosing the names of two saints and seeing her first doodle courtesy of the naughty grandson next door. Despite being laugh-out-loud funny, the underlying theme is much more serious. The irony of her father’s alcoholism and verbal abuse, with her mother and sisters never daring to mention his appalling behaviour due to the fear of embarrassing him, is at turns painfully funny and incredibly sad. First kisses, shallow school friendships and a dodgy boyfriend occupy her teen years as the family silences grow and the deceptions increase. The birth of her son is relentlessly depicted via the madness of free verse, highlighting the horrors of contractions and impending parenthood. Therese generously allows us a glimpse into her tortured but uniquely creative soul and her eventual redemption."
  • SALVATION ARMY WARCRY MAGAZINE...." 4 1/2 STARS Excellent and highly amusing memoir of life in Oz in the ’60s and ’70s. A coming of age saga that will give you equal cause to laugh and cry. Creatively written.'
  • VOGUE MAGAZINE ..." A bittersweet remembrance of things past and dark suburban secrets."