I saw Felafel on stage in Brisbane at La Boite. One of our party claimed to have been in one of the houses you portrayed. I was so sure one of the folk on stage was one of my housemates [it wasn't] - perhaps there are some universal house share analogues peppering the place.
I saw Felafel at La Boite as well! JB was there at the door on the way out thanking the audience for attending! (Well I think it was JB, could’ve been done rando in a leather jacket 😂)
Great book! I have to copy on a shelf of favourite counter-culture books.
I plan to give it to my two sons to read before they go flatting, not exactly as a guide to flatting, but as a guide to "flatmates sometimes do very strange things, so be warned and ready!"
Babes is still my favourite bit of writing you've done, though I have a real soft spot for Leviathan. Gonna re read cruel stars on the long arse plane trips I have coming up as well. But this is the source code book, no doubt.
Coincidentally I was going through some old boxes the other day and found the DVD of Felafel, with a young Noah Taylor, and the tickets and programme from a Brisbane Arts Theatre production of it from the 90s... I think. I'd best add this anniversary book to the collection.
I'll replace my ratty copy with the new one when it's out thanks. Rare indeed that I let anything into that book shelf nowadays. It will sit comfortably with Candide, and Heart of Darkness. It meant that much to us at the time. Finally someone had written down what was happening in our lives. Sort of like a fringe junkie version of Puberty Blues. The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco was what we then rolled into for a few years until I tired of poverty. Had plenty of fun though.
I've asked before but I reckon you should trawl the old penthouse stuff you wrote and recycle some of it. It was gold then and most people either wouldn't have read it, they missed Karen Pini too the idiots, or have forgotten most of it.
I was literally just typing an email back to a guy I shared a house with back in the '90s about Brisbane writers and how you were bringing out a 30th anniversary edition. Hit SEND just as the email about this hit my inbox.
I loved "He Died With a Felafel in His Hand" and still have a copy. The movie not so much. When I arrived in Sydney in 1999 it was one of the first books I bought and read along with all the Chopper books. I flip through it again every few years for a laugh. Not sure that "footnotes" are going to make me buy a new copy though. Also love "Leviathan". Great work.
I remember a copy of this book being left on a ratty coffee table in a share house I was living in, in Perth one day. Between getting blitzed on weekends and chuffing bucket bongs, we all read it outloud to each other. Parties often devolved to smoking, reading and laughing at some of the stories.
To say it resonated was an understatement.
So when I saw World War 2.1 by John Birmingham, I literally did not believe you were the same person.
I saw Felafel on stage in Brisbane at La Boite. One of our party claimed to have been in one of the houses you portrayed. I was so sure one of the folk on stage was one of my housemates [it wasn't] - perhaps there are some universal house share analogues peppering the place.
I saw Felafel at La Boite as well! JB was there at the door on the way out thanking the audience for attending! (Well I think it was JB, could’ve been done rando in a leather jacket 😂)
The guy with his cap out begging for money? I wondered who that was.
😂😂😂
Great book! I have to copy on a shelf of favourite counter-culture books.
I plan to give it to my two sons to read before they go flatting, not exactly as a guide to flatting, but as a guide to "flatmates sometimes do very strange things, so be warned and ready!"
Thanks Brendon. You wouldnt be the first parent who's done that.
Counter-culture?! That's culture, mate!! 😂
Babes is still my favourite bit of writing you've done, though I have a real soft spot for Leviathan. Gonna re read cruel stars on the long arse plane trips I have coming up as well. But this is the source code book, no doubt.
Seems like only yesterday my late brother and I were rolling around on the couch laughing our arses off reading bits out loud. Those were the days
I hearted this comment, Helen, but I'm sad to hear your brother is no longer with us.
great book and well the movie was ok.
Two fave books 'Praise' and Deid with Felafel in his hand
Everyone I knew would quote it to each other back in the dark ages of 1990s
Back when the 'W' word meant getting up after a hard nights partying and not
the broad-brush to destroy creativity.
The Grunge lit movement inspired a lot of underground zines and art and books.
Back when polyester in Fitzroy offende everyone with its logo....
ahhh the dark ages...sentimental moment.
inspired me to write gritty crazy stuff
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99372962-roadhouse-messiah
Coincidentally I was going through some old boxes the other day and found the DVD of Felafel, with a young Noah Taylor, and the tickets and programme from a Brisbane Arts Theatre production of it from the 90s... I think. I'd best add this anniversary book to the collection.
Coincidentally the movie has just appeared on Stan.
I'll replace my ratty copy with the new one when it's out thanks. Rare indeed that I let anything into that book shelf nowadays. It will sit comfortably with Candide, and Heart of Darkness. It meant that much to us at the time. Finally someone had written down what was happening in our lives. Sort of like a fringe junkie version of Puberty Blues. The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco was what we then rolled into for a few years until I tired of poverty. Had plenty of fun though.
I understand the bookshelf thing, so consider me honored.
I've asked before but I reckon you should trawl the old penthouse stuff you wrote and recycle some of it. It was gold then and most people either wouldn't have read it, they missed Karen Pini too the idiots, or have forgotten most of it.
Just what I need with a lazy weekend away coming up. Purchased from Mr Bezos, hopefully he's merciful when taking his cut.
Incriminating footnotes?
You mean you'll mention the amalgamation of some characters and events?
Name names! Some are too old now to be worried anymore.
Bought! Will get a dead tree version too
This is why you're my favourite.
I was literally just typing an email back to a guy I shared a house with back in the '90s about Brisbane writers and how you were bringing out a 30th anniversary edition. Hit SEND just as the email about this hit my inbox.
It's a sign!
Or, more likely, just a simple coincidence...
No, it's a sign.
Well, I'll be sure to invest in a decaying tree copy to put on my self next to the original and the ten year anniversary graphic novel...
Awesome, thanks for the discount, purchased!!
Looking forward to The Javan War!
I loved "He Died With a Felafel in His Hand" and still have a copy. The movie not so much. When I arrived in Sydney in 1999 it was one of the first books I bought and read along with all the Chopper books. I flip through it again every few years for a laugh. Not sure that "footnotes" are going to make me buy a new copy though. Also love "Leviathan". Great work.
I was so disappointed with the movie. It just didn’t get ‘it’
Bought the original (god knows where it is now), now bought the revamped version. Hope it didn’t take the same quantities of red wine etc
Not so much, no.
I remember a copy of this book being left on a ratty coffee table in a share house I was living in, in Perth one day. Between getting blitzed on weekends and chuffing bucket bongs, we all read it outloud to each other. Parties often devolved to smoking, reading and laughing at some of the stories.
To say it resonated was an understatement.
So when I saw World War 2.1 by John Birmingham, I literally did not believe you were the same person.
Looking forward to re-acquiring Felafel
ROFL. Not the first time I've heard this.