Literary news and events in Canberra.

To make her dark tale of an Australian backpacker held hostage by a seemingly charming Berliner, director Cate Shortland had to lock the nice away.

Jennifer Castles began making up stories because she couldn't read the ones in a picture book.

Wilbur Smith's War Cry tops the Mystery Fiction bestsellers chart.

The recent book by the great Israeli writer offers a new interpretation of the greatest "traitor" of all time.

Joan Lindsay's husband dismissed her art work so she turned to writing and eventually produced one of Australia's most famous novels, Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The example of deplore shows how the meaning of a word can change quite significantly over the years.

The history of the cross as a symbol of Christianity has been full of strife and disagreement.

Focusing on three generations of men, Nickolas Butler's latest novel is an assured family saga.

The first in James Bradley's dystopian trilogy for younger readers leaves you looking forward to the second.

Ron Rash has a great reputation as a writer of top-quality fiction and he doesn't disappoint in The World Made Straight.

Alan McMonagle uses Homer as his inspiration and takes The Odyssey into fresh terrain in recession-hit Ireland.

Natalie Haynes combines a love of classical myth and history with a track record as a stand-up comedian.

Trans themes are rapidly becoming a feature of novels for young adults.

Jane Rawson has ingeniously forged something approaching an old-fashioned historical yarn spliced with Cronenbergian body horror.

Book-related news and events in the national capital.

Fiona Capp's treatment of the morals of the powerful is unsparing in her fifth novel, To Know My Crime.

Caroline Baum's memoir is tentative and searching, as she still struggles to come to terms with events that took place in her childhood.

Literature is solace, and the festival line-up is out to prove it.

Quentin Bryce's letters reveal the enlightened, literary mind of someone who clearly relished her job as governor-general.

Portia Simpson knew early on that she didn't want a conventional life. Her memoir tells of her life as the first female gamekeeper.

The origins of the most famous enduring character in English fiction are fascinating.

Michaela McGuire's appearance at the Sydney Writers' Festival in 2014 didn't go quite to plan.

Seven Types of Ambiguity has an outstanding cast, superb performances, and a gripping plot make this six-part Australian series must-see television.