Culture
Books
I’m a bit of a Luddite and I lost 50 pages of the book: Patrick deWitt
The Canadian novelist lost a large chunk of his new novel when he was last in Australia. It turned out to be a blessing.
- by Jason Steger
Latest
The search for true beauty beneath the surface of Melbourne
Angus Trumble’s account of Helena Rubinstein’s years in Australia reveals the foundation of her beauty empire.
- by Damien Woolnough
A letter from the past brings memories of France, love and trauma
Vanessa McCausland’s novel examines devastating loss of youth.
- by Jessie Tu
‘Hero worship must never be blind’: The lesson from Chris Masters
The veteran journalist’s account of the investigation into Ben Roberts-Smith shows the crucial need for truth and perspective.
- by Albert Palazzo
Think you know what Australian poetry is? Think again
What we’re seeing now is “new and unexpected and flipping language on its head”.
- by Jane Sullivan
What to read: A tale of heaven and hell, and the end of a giant shark
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
‘I tell people I’m a poet, they’re shocked it’s a viable job’: Jazz Money
Jazz Money is one of the headliners for a month-long celebration of the best in Australian verse, as an official poet laureate looms on the horizon.
- by Lenny Ann Low
How these five Brisbane writers have changed the literary landscape
From Trent Dalton to Melissa Lucashenko, Brisbane is blessed with a host of Australia’s best writers.
- by Jason Steger
What do you call it when a helpline doesn’t help?
As the muzak played, I pondered the broken promise of the word’s meaning.
- by David Astle
Book of the day
Review
Enjoyed White Lotus? Here’s a novel that has fun skewering privilege
Emily Perkins’ new novel Lioness delivers a courageous if unsettling message.
- by Gretchen Shirm
Has history ‘defanged’ Martin Luther King’? This biography says yes
Jonathan Eig’s new look at the life of the African-American activist argues he was no saint, but a man of courage with a moral vision.
- by Shane White