Our latest reviews
The Strays by Emily Bitto
Emily Bitto’s debut novel, The Strays, is a compulsively readable story of the 1930s Australian art scene, parental narcissism and female friendship. The title refers to the community of artists whom Evan and Helena Trentham gather around themselves at…
Downton Abbey: Season 4
Julian Fellowes has, as Hugh Bonneville puts it, ‘pulled a rabbit out of a hat’ and produced what must be my favourite season of Downton Abbey so far. While some of the acting can be criticised (I’m not sure about…
Smooch and Rose by Samantha Wheeler
When Rose and her Gran find a hurt koala on their property, they never imagine the series of events that will unfold. Rose helps the local wildlife carer look after the baby koala (Smooch) as it grows up and practises…
Andy Flegg's Survival Guide by Mark Pardoe
I’m not embarrassed to say that I love Andy Flegg! We are allowed to read his diary, which he has to write for 130 days if he wants an X-Box, because his horrible ex-teacher told his parents he’s a…
Gandolfini by Dan Bischoff
The task attempted by Dan Bischoff in posthumously creating a biography of the actor who embodied Tony Soprano is, to say the least, challenging. Chronicling a man who played the fundamental character in such a pivotal series without focusing on…
The Promise by Tony Birch
The Promise sees Tony Birch return to the short form, following the achievements of his Miles Franklin-shortlisted novel, Blood. As in that novel, here Birch writes misguided, brooding characters, the sort who have little trouble admonishing themselves of responsibility…
In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower
After receiving a Commonwealth Literary Fund fellowship in 1968, Elizabeth Harrower said she felt ‘obliged to write’ and the product was In Certain Circles, her last novel. It was accepted for publication but she subsequently withdrew the manuscript. Harrower…
Beneath The Sun by Tom E Lewis
Born in Arnhem Land, actor and musician Tom E. Lewis has produced two very good albums to date. Sunshine After Rain, from 2006, used spoken word and atmospheric musical settings to great effect, though didn’t get to be heard…
Alexander Altmann A10567 by Suzy Zail
Alexander is only 14 when his family is sent to Auschwitz, but by pretending to be 16 he survives the gas chamber, unlike his younger sister. He keeps to himself and refuses any overtures of friendship, believing that only by…
Trouble by Non Pratt
Hannah is a typical teenage girl. She fights with her mum about homework, she loves hanging out with her best friend and boys are very much on her radar. Life is fun. That is, until Hannah falls pregnant at only…
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