Spectrum
Striking debut novel with echoes of David Foster Wallace
Reading Ask Me Again is like a long catch-up phone call with an old friend.
- by Eddie Hampson
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The Victorian madame whose name lives on in popular culture
Madame Brussels made her reputation running a brothel in Melbourne. Today, she has a laneway and cocktail named in her honour.
- by Simon Caterson
Love historical crime fiction? This sensual novel will grip you
Jane Sullivan’s Murder in Punch Lane is elegantly structured and moves deftly between fact and fiction.
- by Carmel Bird
Sorry, Bumble, it’s not you. I’d just rather read a steamy book
Reality is making celibates of us all and romance novels are having a renaissance.
- by Genevieve Novak
Australia didn’t want actresses like her. But then things changed
After five years in Los Angeles, Salme Geransar returned home thinking her career would be over. Now she’s on stage in a Pulitzer-winning play.
- by John Bailey
Murder mystery and wartime survival: Eight books to read this weekend
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
The Serpent Queen returns, more venomous than ever
Samantha Morton is just as deliciously wicked in the new season of this account of the life of Catherine de Medici.
- by Kylie Northover
Can lessons from the past improve our lives? This book says yes
In his new book, Australian social philosopher and historian Roman Krznaric explores 10 impressively diverse “social innovations” relevant to today.
- by Kurt Johnson
Could a single guitar change history? The Stratocaster did just that
From Smoke on the Water to Like a Virgin, the 70-year-old guitar shaped some of world’s biggest hits.
- by Barry Divola
Meet the young Australian actor about to become a superstar
At 28, Australian actor Toby Wallace is going places. But he’s looking forward to the day he can just stay put for a while.
- by Karl Quinn
Music in the ’80s belonged to Kim Gordon. At 71, she still plays hard
Long after Sonic Youth’s bitter split, artist, writer and musician Kim Gordon is inspiring a new generation of women.
- by Jo Roberts