Reviewed by Rod McLary Australia seems to have a fine collection of crime writers – Jane Harper, Chris Hammer, Emma Viskic just to name a few – and we can now add S.R. White. One of the common features of these writers, apart from their talent, is that their novels are firmly immersed in the
Reviewed by Richard Tutin The ethos that Australian society is one of the most equal in the world has been long ingrained into our collective psyche. Cameron K Murray and Paul Frijters’ assertion that this is no longer the case therefore grabbed my attention. This inequality forms the basis of their thesis that ordinary Australians
An Interview with Jack Heath. QRC: My previous Q&A with you was not long after the publication of Kill Your Brother. I asked you then about Timothy Blake, the protagonist of the Hangman series, and you said his next book may be the final one. Now that Headcase is out, have we really seen the
Reviewed by Rod McLary Cormac McCarthy is best known as one of America’s finest writers – he is the author of The Road, No Country for Old Men and what some critics believe to be his greatest novel Blood Meridian published in 1985. Perhaps lesser known is that McCarthy works with the Santa Fe Institute
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Australians have always been inveterate travellers. Business, the needs of Government, leisure and those who have felt the need to get away to prove themselves have all contributed to the great exodus that has left our shores. The majority of course have returned while some have remained away having settled in
Reviewed by Richard Tutin On one of the walking paths that my wife and I regularly use is a house that has a rather fine tennis court. It looks as if it is well cared for and regularly used when it comes into view. Seeing it recently reminded me of Peter Doherty’s book Empire, War,
Reviewed by Rod McLary Writers on Writers is a series of books where leading authors offer their reflections on Australian writers who have inspired them. In this latest addition to the series, Geraldine Brooks provides her insights into and readings of one of Australia’s finest writers – Tim Winton. Author of Cloudstreet, The Riders, Dirt
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Recipe books abound in bookshops, libraries even as free items in supermarkets, although a vast range of them is available on line, easily accessed and without charge. The question arises as to why publish yet another….However, the Fast 800 Keto Recipe Book is well worthwhile considering for anyone who seeks deliciously
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Sue Lynn Tan writes fantasy stories inspired by the myths and legends she fell in love with during her childhood. Born in Malaysia, she studied in London and France, before settling in Hong Kong with her family. Her romantic duology about the daughter of the Moon Goddess melds ancient Chinese mythology
Reviewed by Gail McDonald This is a powerful book which details the many examples of what happens once a woman makes a complaint of sexual assault. The authors looked at the incidence of these happenings around the world with many of those noted in the book being very high-profile cases. The authors also note that,
Reviewed by Ian Lipke During the 1970s, two significant Aboriginal social movements gained momentum across Australia. It is not to be assumed that these movements were triggered by activities that were specifically 1970. Their pressure was always being felt. An aspiration to self-determination and autonomy had always existed but what was different was the presence
Reviewed by Richard Tutin It is often said that cricket is a gentleman’s game. Whoever believes that doesn’t understand cricket’s true nature. When an opening batter takes their crease, and they look up waiting for the bowler to send one down, it is not a quiet sedate ball that will come towards them. It will
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Zachary Gorman’s little book of two hundred odd pages creates a loose coalescence of points of view and opinions bound by their relationship to the young Menzies. Most are complimentary to him, while others aim for impartiality. None set out to chastise Menzies or find fault with his policies. After all,
Reviewed by Tricia Simms-Reeve The appeal of the short story is that its few pages can thrill, illuminate, startle or be intensely moving. The discipline of condensing a writer’s theme into a thought provoking few pages is not widely valued, perhaps through lack of exposure. In today’s world, a 300 page novel makes demands on
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke The story The Wrong Sister by Fiona Palmer is an interesting and easy book to read about family relationships, growing up and forming new relationships outside the family, as well as the impact on families of devastating diseases. What a tangled web Fiona Palmer has given the reader in her latest