Spectrum
In a sea of mediocre musical biopics, this one is underrated
For as long as they keep churning out movies chronicling the lives of influential musicians, one will remain the most influential of all.
- by Tom W. Clarke
Latest
A clever novel that isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself
Kaveh Akbar’s book Martyr! is a delight because it manages to embrace seriousness and irreverence, darkness and light.
- by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen
This Australian psychological thriller examines death penalty with a horrific twist
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases, including an engaging account of the seven Cleopatras and Geoffrey Robertson’s crisply argued case for prosecuting Putin.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
★★★★ ½
Review
Colin From Accounts returns for an excellent second season of hilarity and chaos
Two weeks on from the end of season one, Ashley and Gordon are determined to get back the mutt that brought them together. It’s easier said than done.
- by Karl Quinn
This retelling of Huckleberry Finn is a masterful satire of race
Percival Everett tells the story of Mark Twain’s classic from the point of view of Jim, the runaway slave who befriends Huck.
- by Declan Fry
This memoir on grief is a treasure chest of honesty and raw humanity
When her partner of 25 years died, Nova Weetman found the necessity of work and her two children kept her connected to reality.
- by Michael McGirr
Opinion
WordPlay
Australia leads the world in the use of this oxymoronic term
During this year’s budget there was one recurrent word association that appeared more than others.
- by David Astle
Colm Toibin didn’t think he’d write a Brooklyn sequel. So why has he?
The Irish writer’s latest novel returns to the world of Eilis Lacey.
- by Jason Steger
Opinion
Wellness
Time and time again, I find myself running away from exercise
If I do the exercises I’ll develop strong legs and not limp around the office in a way that brings sympathy.
- by Richard Glover
A frantic call from a sinking ship: this novel opens with a coroner’s report
Miles Franklin winner Shankari Chandran has an agenda in her new book Safe Haven, as our desire not to see has only been strengthened.
- by Helen Elliott
Whoa-oh, livin’ with grey hair: What Jon Bon Jovi teaches us about ageing
A new docuseries on the 40-year history of the New Jersey rockers offers unexpected insights into growing old gracefully.
- by Sarah Thomas