The Land Before Avocado – Richard Glover
Sarah's review
Richard Glover really knows how to pick his topics and The Land Before Avocado, set in the 1970s, is no exception. Despite being the land of plenty, Australians endured a myriad of deprivations, which Richard investigates with excruciating humour. The cars, the food, the fashion - they all left something to be desired. Yet the clumsiness of the period is reminiscent of any pubescent teenager, and The Land Before Avocado reminds us that the 1970s was a tipping point for Australia, the decade in which it graduated from small pants to big pants. A wonderful read.
Debra Oswald and Richard Glover’s super 70s giveaway
We're living in the 70s
Thanks to Penguin Books and Harper Collins, Word of Mouth TV has a super 70s giveaway to celebrate the season finale with one of Australia's most talented literary couples, Debra Oswald and Richard Glover. Their books The Whole Bright Year and The Land Before Avocado will take those of us who remember it on a rollicking romp back in time to Australia in the 1970s - few better times to be. And for those so careless as to be born post-1980, they will take you to a place of wonder that defies belief - a foreign land. You know the drill! Don't forget the hashtags!Episode 14: Debra Oswald and Richard Glover’s 70s knockout double
Join us for this fun and fab night with one of Australia's most talented and interesting literary couples, Debra Oswald and Richard Glover, as they share the backstories of their fantastic books: The Whole Bright Year and The Land Before Avocado. Both books were set in the 1970s and it was an absolute blast from the past as we ventured back into one of the most fun and fascinating eras in Australia's recent history. This season finale is a classic and very funny!! It was just a fantastic way to end the first season of Word of Mouth TV.
Christine Wells’ quest for exquisite food moments
Author Q&A
Christine Wells, author of The Juliet Code, shares her obsession with dangerous women and the French Resistance with Word of Mouth TV. Set in wartime France when rations were in place, Christine hones in on the delicacies - all the items that weren't available, such as coffee - and relays the exquisite delight her characters experience when they sample their favourite rare fare. For Christine, the physical memory of a food can be one of the most powerful food experiences, which perhaps explains why she is going "retro" for her death-bed meal.
Christine Wells’ perfect picnic quiche
Portrait of a recipe
Christine Wells' novel The Juliet Code is set in wartime France, a period when everyone was on rations and food was hard to come by. It also features a picnic. That made your standard lavish meal a tad unsuitable. So after cracking our heads we settled upon a quiche because you can make quiche out of just about any leftovers in the fridge (which is great when you are short of food), it's French, it's easy, and it's perfect for a picnic. Enjoy!
Straight from the authors’ mouths
Recommended reads
It's raining again! Perfect reading and cooking weather, and do we have some reads for you! Feeling like curling up with some rural romance? Christine Wells recommends The Cowgirl by Australian author Anthea Hodgson. Christine read Hodgson's previous novel The Drifter , and was hooked. So get your reading gear on, a bar of chocolate, and maybe some tissues, and enjoy this wonderful winter's offering - six recommendations in all.
The Juliet Code – by Christine Wells
Kate's review
Australian author Christine Wells has been making a name for herself writing intelligent, suspenseful historical novels. Her latest offering, The Juliet Code, begins in 1947 when a young woman named Juliet Barnard is being interrogated about her role as an undercover wireless operator for the Allies in Nazi-occupied France during the war. She is wracked with guilt and remorse over the disappearance of a friend and colleague of hers, and so agrees to help her friend’s brother track down what happened to her. Her bravery, resolution, and quick wits prove to be more valuable than strength and ruthlessness.Episode 12 – Christine Wells – The Juliet Code
Join us as we interview Christine Wells about her spy thriller romance The Juliet Code set in World War II France. Female spies have always held an exotic fascination for readers - think Mata Hari, Australia's Nancy Wake or Marvel's fictional Black Widow. Perhaps this fascination emerges from the sharp contrast between the courage involved and the relative physical frailty and social vulnerability of women. On so many counts, the female is outmatched - except for her intelligence and wit of course. And her main ally is the fact that she is constantly underestimated.
