Culture
Books
Jim Moginie’s new tune is a work of unforced poetry
The Oils’ story has been written from many perspectives. The band’s keyboard and guitarist does all the hits, but with trademark introspection.
- by Michael Dwyer
Latest
Dyslexia helped this bestselling author rewire his brain
British novelist Jasper Fforde’s new novel is a sequel to a book he wrote in 2009.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Eight new books: A literary mystery and an epic sea voyage
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Tech-futuristic thriller imagines a world without the internet
The debut novel from Sharlene Allsopp explores ideas of history, truth-telling and identity in a post-apocalyptic Australia.
- by Jack Cameron Stanton
Race murder and more in an alternative view of a Native American city
Francis Spufford’s alternate jazz age noir novel is a tour de force of the imagination.
- by James Antoniou
China’s ‘counter-historians’ challenging the Communist Party
Ian Johnson’s new book examines an underground historical movement that represents a genuine challenge to the Chinese Communist Party.
- by Kurt Johnson
This novel is inspired by George Orwell - but don’t call it Orwellian
The American writer’s latest novel imagines the days when George Orwell was a policeman in Burma.
- by JP O'Malley
No more apostrophes and corporate speak: What we want changed about English
One new decree drew 500 likes: “A zero-shame policy for pronouncing words you’ve only ever seen in print.”
- by David Astle
Nobel laureates, Pulitzer winners lead Sydney Writers’ Festival line up
More than 35 stars of the international literary scene will feature as part of the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.
- by Helen Pitt
State Library Victoria cancels workshops hosted by pro-Palestine writers
Three writers were told their workshops were no longer required, with the library citing “child safety” as a concern.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Girlhood, ’90s TV and Britney Spears converge in poet Kate Middleton’s new book
Television explores how screen-time gets under our collective and individual skins.
- by Brooke Boland