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WordPlay
When it comes to catchphrases, this film goes straight to the poolroom
No other movie matches this local classic’s linguistic legacy.
- by David Astle
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There are books and films about grief but in the end, it was up to me
Amid the bewilderment of loss, art helps us navigate a way forward.
- by Nova Weetman
She turned David Bowie into Ziggy Stardust. It changed her life forever
Suzi Ronson was working in a hair salon in London when she gave Mrs Jones’ son the look that defined an era.
- by J.P. O'Malley
The drug that let the imperialists have their way in India and China
The British forced open trade with China by getting the population addicted to opium.
- by Richard Pennell
What have the Simpsons got to do with a Nobel laureate’s latest novel?
A strange presence in Jon Fosse’s latest short novel is a tantalising invitation to curiosity and doubt.
- by Bram Presser
A powerful argument for the natural existence of transgender people
Judith Butler points out that the word gender has, in some parts of the world, become a matter of extraordinary alarm.
- by Miriam Cosic
Is Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez’s posthumous offering a feminist novel?
For the first time, the great Colombian novelist has a woman as the central protagonist of one of his novels.
- by Roy Boland
This festival nurtured a generation of talent. Now it’s on life support
For two decades the National Young Writers’ Festival has been a crucible for Australian literary talent, but its future is now in doubt.
- by Nell Geraets
Is this debut novel a sly satire, or just an earnest train wreck?
Bri Lee’s debut is easy to mock, but it certainly isn’t a boring read.
- by Beejay Silcox
Rebel Wilson’s controversial memoir delayed amid legal drama
The actor’s controversial memoir has been held back by publishers in Australia and the United Kingdom.
- by Jason Steger
Diagnosed with arthritis at 21, she struggled to find words to describe the pain
Katherine Brabon’s novel about living with chronic illness is one of six Australian books that make up the shortlist for the $60,000 Stella writing prize.
- by Jason Steger