Culture
Books
Anna Funder on the ‘beautiful letters’ she received from men who read Wifedom
The Miles Franklin winner took on a “terrifying project” when she wrote about George Orwell and his oft forgotten wife.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Latest
The singular adult fantasy that is a Marian Keyes novel
The Irish writer brings one of the Walsh sisters back to Ireland after heartbreak in New York.
- by Jessie Tu
Michael Ondaatje’s latest work is in praise of long love and experience
The writer’s first collection of poetry in more than 25 years replaces the idea of ageing as diminution with a blazing and sensual testament to what is held close.
- by Felicity Plunkett
The 19th-century scientists complicit in body mutilation and theft
Cassandra Pybus uncovers the details of the harvesting of Indigenous Tasmanians’ skeletons.
- by Philip Deery
‘Not well received’ at Harvard, these two writers maintain the rage
Writer Tony Birch reflects on how Miles Franklin Award-winner Kim Scott has intrigued and inspired him.
- by Jane Gleeson-White
Part mystery, part hostage thriller, this is our fiction pick of the week
Our reviewers assess recent fiction and non-fiction publications.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Paul Murray (sort of) discusses his novel’s controversial ending
The Booker Prize-shortlisted author talks climate change, writing teenage characters and Judy Blume.
- by Kylie Northover
Blast off for stories that will move you to laughter, tears, and fear
Ceridwen Dovey’s latest speculative stories, all set in space, unfold with fierce clarity and breezy wit.
- by Carmel Bird
Tony Birch wins Book of the Year for timely novel about one of Australia’s great challenges
Birch says that while his book wasn’t written “with that issue in mind”, it had become timely given the crucial discussions under way.
- by Jason Steger
The 13 must-see events at this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival
With the Melbourne Writers Festival kicking off today, here are some of the events that should not be missed.
- by Jason Steger
Exclusive
Literature
The Weirdo books once had a ‘prettiest girls list’. Now, they are re-recording the audiobooks
The best-selling children’s book author is revising his Weirdo audiobooks to remove a “prettiest girls” list. “I was ranked low on a list and it affected me for years,” he says.
- by Kerrie O'Brien and Marika Dobbin-Thomas