The Twelfth Raven by Doris Brett | Book
The Twelfth Raven by Doris Brett
Phone: +61 421 612 758
Reviews
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24.01.2022 One of the first questions interviewers ask of me is 'How is Martin now?' Well, Martin is brilliant. He's speaking well, he's writing well, he's dancing well and he's still everyone's go-to person if their computer is suffering from ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder, as described by the psychiatrist's bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The only thing he's not doing is playing the piano. But, as the old joke goes, he couldn't play that before h...is stroke. He is essentially doing everything he was able to do before the stroke. One of the things he's doing is making furniture for Amantha. And not just furniture, stunning furniture. Here are the photos - and as you view them, remember that Martin's hand and arm were still completely paralysed three weeks after his stroke. That was when I brought the mirror box in and a few days after working with that, Martin started to feel the beginnings of movement in his fingers. See more
23.01.2022 It's always a slightly nerve-racking time waiting for reviews. Unlike Broadway actors, writers can't disport themselves with fellow cast members and friends at a fashionable cafe while waiting for the reviews to appear. For writers, you never know from week to week, which paper, which city and whether - resulting in a sentence resonant with words starting with 'w' (the letter ranked 10th in the top 10 of letters beginning words in the English language). This morning it's the Age newspaper. And if you feel a bout of deja vu coming on, that's because it's the same review which was in today's Sydney Morning Herald. Here's the link to the Age: http://www.theage.com.au//medical-hell-charted-with-skill-
20.01.2022 The electronic version of Twelfth Raven has just become available. I still find it astonishing that one can read about a book and then within seconds have that book in hand to read. Although I love the magic of instantaneous books and the equally mysterious magic of books that don't take up space, for me nothing will take the place of the feel of the printed page. I'm curious about how others feel? It's available for Kindle, iBooks and Kobo: http://www.amazon.com/Twelfth-Rav...en-memoir-st//ref=sr_1_1 https://itunes.apple.com//b/the-twelfth-raven/id855194937 http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-twelfth-raven
19.01.2022 Review in the Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au//medical-hell-charted-with-skill-201
16.01.2022 It was May 7th when the Concorde took off for its maiden flight. The world's largest pearl was found on May 7th. Germany signed the papers of surrender on May 7th. The English poet Robert Browning was born on May 7th. As were the composers, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky and Johannes Brahms. And on a day with such wonderful anticedents, The Twelfth Raven is being launched this May 7th at The Avenue Bookshop 434 Glenhuntly Rd Elsternwick. Martin and I are looking forward to seeing you there. Don't forget to RSVP to [email protected]
15.01.2022 Was in Sydney on Monday to do interviews. One with Natasha Mitchell for Life Matters, a video interview with Caroline Baum for the Booktopia web site and an interview for the Sunday Age/Sun Herald and Canberra Times. http://www.abc.net.au//love-and-recovery-after-a-s/5334104 The problem with interviews other than radio, is that they require photos of the interviewee. In general, I would rather swallow a live toad than have my photo taken. Decided to retain at least minimal... control of the situation by keeping my hair out of rain and wind. Was foiled by Sydney, which had other plans. Did however come away with two tips on posing for photos. For a natural expression, close your eyes and look away until the instant before the button is pressed. My personal preference would be to close eyes and look away until the instant after the button is pressed but believe that is not popular with photographers. See more
13.01.2022 Reading today's Sunday Age article on The Twelfth Raven by Doris Brett prompted me to write this letter to my gorgeous friend Cindy Berg. Cindy walks her sweet and submissive Golden Retriever regularly and this letter was inspired by the journalist's description of me as looking like 'the Gothic heroine of a nineteenth century novel'. Dear Mrs. Berg,... I am writing to you as the representative of the Society for Gothic Heroines of Nineteenth Century Novels. Nay, I should sweep aside modesty, I am in fact the president of the above Society. I am writing because, long walks on windswept moors are, of course, mandatory for members of our Society. Such landscapes are of course hard to find in Australia. I am reliably informed that you are prone to walking on large tracts of semi-wild parkland with a large dog in tow. and in fact attempt to do this daily. Our members have been very excited by this revelation and have asked me if they could have the privilege of accompanying you. Large mastiffs are most sought after by our membership owing to the evocative emotional resonance generated by a large, fearsome hound prowling loose on the moors. Furthermore, we understand that you are married to an anaesthetist. Our members are effervescing with excitement at this piece of news. You will understand that fainting is a required skill of the Gothic Heroine of the Nineteenth Century Novel. Alas, not all of our members are as proficient at this skill as would be ideal. We feel that an anaesthetist, with his bag of medicinals which instantly render the subject unconscious, would be the ideal professional for our Society to liaise with. With this in mind, we would like to invite you, and of course your husband, to become honorary members of our Society. We note by the way that with your long black hair, you are already in an excellent starting position for Associate Membership anyway. Although we would prefer it a little more wind-blown. Eagerly awaiting your soonest reply, Doris Brett (on behalf of the Society for Gothic Heroines of Nineteenth Century Novels - SGHNCN). http://www.theage.com.au//doris-brett-reporting-on-the-rol
07.01.2022 Those of you who have read The Twelfth Raven will remember the mystery of the Monday Computer Fairy. The one who failed to make an appearance despite Martin's certainty that she would appear to fix my stalled computer. At the time, Martin was still unable to speak or write, so communication was by way of charades, however he was very clear that my computer would right itself on the Monday. At the time of course, Martin was unable to explain why he believed this and an explana...tion, in fact, was never forthcoming. It seemed doomed to remain a mystery forever. However this morning, Martin suddenly said to me 'Did I ever tell you why I felt that the computer would fix itself on Monday?' 'No' I said excitedly. And Martin then proceeded to explain that on previous occasions when his computer had stalled on a week-end, by Monday the number of complaints to the server had reached a critical level so that they actually got around to fixing the fault. Amazing that he could reason all that out at the time even though his brain was still foggy and he was totally lacking in speech. As a Facebook novice (a kinder way of saying Facebook moron), I notice there is a sign on my page saying that if I get two more likes it will give me insight into my activities. I have no idea what that means, or how one gets two more likes but as a psychologist, insight into one's activities always sounds like a good thing.
04.01.2022 This article about Twelfth Raven appeared in today's Sydney Morning Herald. The expression on my face is my attempt at looking carefree while at the same time wondering whether Sydney's 'extreme weather warning' storm is about to burst out of the skies with me under it. It happened, in fact, about 45 minutes later, just as I scampered into the building for my interview with Caroline Baum. The rain was so intense that it was hard to hear each other speak and we had to move the... filming equipment downstairs into a more shielded room. That might explain a few of the mistaken facts in the article. Firstly, although Martin had a smorgasbord of major health crises, including open-heart surgery, he never in fact had a heart attack. And although our house is indeed very untidy, it is not in Frankston, although that would have been very handy during Martin's hospital stay in Frankston! In addition, I do in fact have constant plans to tidy up the house. It's just that my equally constant plans to stitch together new creations get in the way, creating an equal and opposite force. http://www.smh.com.au//doris-brett-reporting-on-the-role-a See more
04.01.2022 The Society for Gothic Heroines of Nineteenth Century Novels (see entry for April 13th) is clearly tapping a heretofore unmet need. Applications for membership are pouring in (I have received two) and I am thinking of formulating a questionnaire to assist prospective applicants. Hi Doris (president), I love your description of SGHNCN but I don't think my short blonde hair (sort of) will fit with becoming a member of your society-I hope one day, however, to become an honorary ...member with my petite Poodle/Cavalier King Charles dog named Oscar as we are inclined to stroll through the leafy fields of Central Park! If the criteria for membership was extended so that I could be part of your society, I would be most humbled. Sincerely Natalie Dear Natalie, We at the SGHNCN applaud your enthusiasm. Enthusiasm, of course, is essential for members of the SGHNCN - it takes a great deal of enthusiasm to maintain those lengthy daily excursions on the freezing, windswept, howling moors. And in winter it is even worse. Do not be dismayed by the blondeness of your hair. We at the SGHNCN have a long-standing partnership with L'Oreal for just that eventuality. We also estimate that with good nutrition and regular scalp massage, your hair will be of acceptable length within twelve months. So be of good cheer, you are nearly there and we are happy to accept your application for Associate Membership pending your hair growth and ascension to Full Membership. The Society is also very partial to members of the medical fraternity - those walks on the moors are chilly and damp and members are prey to a variety of sniffles and coughs. We also value physiotherapists (I believe there is one in your family?) - the moors are full of pot holes. With Warmest wishes, Doris Brett (Pres. SGHNCN)
01.01.2022 On the 15th of April, I was at one end of the house when my mobile phone rang at the other end of the house (my mobile and I often lead quite separate lives). I raced along the corridor, only to catch it just as the caller hung up. Technology maven that I am, I knew that if I looked at the phone I could see who the caller had been. Just as I read the words 'Margot', the landline rang. Clearly Margot trying the other line. I picked it up to be greeted by a strange voice. Not M...argot, so therefore obviously a new patient. But she was not saying what new patients are usually saying. The words that were coming out of this strangers mouth were Youll be on air in a minute. On air? I said. Yes, Sue will be with you in a minute and youll be on air. This was how I discovered that there was a blank in my appointment book where radio interview with Twin Cities FM WA Sue Myc should have appeared. A delightful interview resulted, the highlight coming at the end when Sue said And now Im going to ask you five fast questions and you have to give me five fast answers. What? I thought. A general knowledge quiz? In my state of decrepitude? But the questions turned out to be more like(and now you have to answer this one instantly)What is your least favourite word. There were four others which I have forgotten but am trying to find a link to so that I can discover what I said. See more
