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ALL OF US IMAGE FROM PHOTOGRAPHER MICHEL LAWRENCE’S NEW BOOK

Michel Lawrence captures All of Us >> p 20

February book, CD & DVD new releases. More inside >>

POP CD CLASSICAL Cat Power Opera Australia Jukebox Dvorak: Rusalka $24.95 standard 3 CD Set FICTION FICTION CRIME DVD $29.95 deluxe $69.95 Normally $29.95 Normally $45 Normally $32.95 As it is in Heaven >> p23 >> p30 Our price $24.95 Our price $35.95 Our price $27.95 (Avail. 13.2.08)

>> p8 >> p8 >> p8 $34.95 >> p24

All shops open 7 days Carlton 309 Lygon St 9347 6633 Hawthorn 701 Glenferrie Rd 9819 1917 Malvern 185 Glenferrie Rd 9509 1952 Port Melbourne 253 Bay St 9681 9255 St Kilda 112 Acland St 9525 3852 email [email protected] web www.readings.com.au Readings Events in February All our events are free, unless otherwise stated. For more information, please call the shop where the event is to be held, or the booking number provided.

7 PETA MALINS Ruddock, Chris McGrath, Allison 17 MILK the spirit of this vibrant commu- Warburton and Martijn Wilder. nity of women and chronicles the LAUNCH Our first in-store Monday 11 February, 6.30pm, development of the choir. Gilles Deleuze of the year at Port Readings Carlton Friday 22 February, 6pm (1925-1995) is Melbourne. Enjoy Free, no need to book. Readings Carlton. one of the most a glass of wine, Free, no need to book. important phi- 12 JAMES BOYCE sit back and enjoy losophers of the LAUNCH the sweet sounds. Their new 26 TONY COADY twentieth century. album, Shipwrecked at the Royal Van Diemen’s Land LAUNCH His ideas have Oak ($29.95) is a wonderful (p16, Black Inc., Tony Coady has an influenced fields blend of folk, jazz and roots all HB, $49.95) is a outstanding as diverse as architecture, science, wrapped up in one. Brilliant! new, groundbreak- international economics and the arts, and are Sunday 17 February, 2pm, ing history of the reputation for his increasingly being taken up in social Readings Port Melbourne. settlement of writings on research and practice. Deleuzian Free, no need to book. Tasmania. James political violence Encounters: Studies in Contemporary Boyce’s book is and political ethics. Social Issues (edited by Anna Hickey- 20 JAMES FRANKLIN filled with new facts and new ideas He previously Moody and Peta Malins, Palgrave, LAUNCH about one of the most dramatic founded and became director of HB, $144) brings together sixteen Life to the Full: episodes in the history of British the Centre for Philosophy and accessible, thought-provoking essays Rights and Social colonialism. Combining environ- Public Issues, the first centre in which examine the implications of Justice in Australia mental insights with an unrivalled Australia to be concerned with Deleuze’s philosophy for different edited by James grasp of the politics of the frontier, broad issues of philosophy and contemporary social issues. Franklin (Conor it will change the way scholars and public affairs. Melbourne Univer- Professor Noel Gough, from Court, PB, the general public alike view sity Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis School of Outdoor Education and $29.95) explains in Australian colonial history. To be will launch Morality and Political Environments at LaTrobe University clear and simple launched by Richard Flanagan. Violence (CUP, PB, $47.95). (Bendigo) is launching the book. language that traditional Christian Tuesday 12 February, 6.30pm Is there such a thing as a ‘just war’? Thursday 7 February, social justice theory is neither North Fitzroy Star, Cnr Newry Can terrorism be morally justified? 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. socialist nor free-market, neither St & St Georges Rd South, Tony Coady’s new work examines Free, no need to book. naïve nor utopian, but the North Fitzroy political violence in the form of framework that has already made RSVP essential by Monday 11 wars, insurgencies, terrorism and 11 AUSTRALIAN our society one of the most just February 2008 Please phone: violent rebellion from an ethical INSTITUTE OF and liveable in the world. (03) 9654 2000, or email: perspective. INTERNATIONAL Wednesday 20 February, [email protected] Tuesday 26 February, 6.30pm, AFFAIRS: 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Readings Carlton. PETER CHRISTOFF Free, no need to book. 13 ROBERT Free, no need to book. Readings and the HOLLINGWORTH 22 BRUNSWICK Australian Insititue LAUNCH 27 WOMEN’S CHOIR PROFESSOR of International They Called Me CATHY REISSMAN We are proud to Affairs welcome the Wildman LAUNCH Peter Christoff to have The Bruns- (Murdoch, PB, Cathy Reissman is our first public wick Women’s $29.95) is historian a visiting scholar of discussion on issues Choir singing in and artist Robert Victoria University, that affect our store. Peace Cannot Hollingworth’s Melbourne, and of world. Dr Peter Christoff of the be Silent ($25) is captivating ‘Narrative Network University of Melbourne and Vice their new CD, reconstruction of Australia’. Cathy President of the Australian which has a Swedish-born naturalist Henricke is an acclaimed Conservation Foundation will be selection of works composed by Nelsen’s solitary life. Henricke teacher as well discussing the new book Climate local musician Jennie Swain. It lived on a mountain in Victoria’s as an internationally renowned Law in Australia (Federation Press, features songs that reflect the Tallarook Ranges in the 1860s. Hol- researcher. She has been called the PB, $59.95), edited by Tim choir’s views about peace and lingworth has written Henricke’s life ‘mother’ of narrative research. Bonyhady and Peter Christoff. This reconciliation. This new CD was story in the form of a prison diary. Her much awaited new book, book provides the first extended the result of an 18-month project Nelsen’s personal reflections inter- Narrative Methods for the Human account of Australia’s new climate exploring what peace means to us. weave with fascinating and engross- Sciences (Sage, PB, $37.95) will law. It examines key federal and ‘The project was a way to respond ing depictions of life in Australia in be launched. state legislation and the main cases to the injustices we see in the world the early to mid 1800s, providing Wednesday 27 February, today,’ said Cathy Nixon, the brought before Australian courts. It insights into the issues 6.30pm, Readings Carlton choir’s director. More than 200 combines incisive legal analysis with of early white settlement; of Free, no need to book. women have been part of Bruns- a deep understanding of climate- race, class, land development, wick Women’s Choir during its 15- related issues and policy. The commerce and trade, the law year history. To celebrate this, a authors include leading academics and living conditions in general. new book has been compiled. such as Professors Robyn Eckersley, Wednesday 13 February, David Farrier, Rob Fowler and Jan 6.30pm, Readings Carlton Seeking Harmony (PB, $25) records McDonald, and leading practitio- Free, no need to book. these women’s stories of enrich- ners such as Charles Berger, Kirsty ment, empowerment and skill development. The book captures 2 28 READINGS IN 29 THE DARLING DOWNS PSYCHOANALYSIS Th e Darling Welcome back to Downs are Kim A wonderful tale of a book binder, our fi rst monthly Salmon and Ron Dicken’s London, and pornography discussion of the Peno. Two legends year! John Carroll of the Australian will discuss David music scene. Kim Tacey’s How to Salmon was both a Read Jung (Granta, Scientist and PB, $19.95). In Surrealist, whilst Ron Peno was of this book, Tacey introduces the course the frontman of Died Pretty. reader to Jung’s unique style and Hear the boys playing tunes from approach, and, in a series of close their new CD, From One To Another readings of Jung’s works, explores (reviewed on page 27). the radical themes at the core of Friday 29 February, 6pm, LONDON, 1859. Jung’s psychology, and the vision of Readings Carlton. When Dora Damage a ‘whole self’ that inspires Jung’s Free, no need to book. discovers her husband’s work. John Carroll is Professor of ar thritic hands are crippled, putting his Sociology at La Trobe University in COMING UP IN MARCH Melbourne. His recent books book-binding business into include Terror: a Meditation on the Look out in March huge debt and his family in danger of entering the Meaning of September 11 (2002), as we celebrate poorhouse, she resolves International Th e Wreck of Western Culture: to rescue her family at any Humanism Revisited (2004), Women’s Day with price. Taking to the streets, and Th e Existential Jesus (2007). a host of women Dora soon finds herself He is also a frequent writer of writers, including lured into illegally binnding essays and newspaper articles. Anne Manne, Lee expensive volumes of He delivered one of the Alfred Fox, Linda Grant, pornography commissionenededd Deakin Federation Lectures in Siri Hustvedt (pictured) and more. by aristocrats. Belinda 2001. You can keep checking for more Starling’s debut novel is Thursday 28 February, about upcoming events at www. a startling vision of London 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. readings.com.au or email us at during the 19th century.y Free, no need to book. [email protected]. OUT NOW

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3 February Special Feature Counting Her Blessings Louise Swinn talks to Toni Jordan, author of Addition

First-time novelist Toni Jordan who obsessively counts? ‘I really has had an extraordinary 12 don’t know. My mum counts months. A year ago, Text Pub- a bit … and I must admit that lishing’s Michael Heyward had when I clean up, which is rarely, just signed up her first novel, I invent these little cleaning Addition. Since then, Text has games because it’s so boring.’ sold rights into North America, Some origins are easier to trace the UK, Italy, France, Germany, than others. Writing the scenes the Netherlands, Portugal, Israel where Grace is in a local café in and the Czech Republic. It’s not Glen Iris, Jordan had a specific all that surprising, then, that she place in mind, and her love of has a contagious I-can-hardly- Melbourne is obvious as she believe-my-luck kind of look on extols the virtues of her home her face. of nine years. ‘You really have to live somewhere else to realise But Jordan’s journey is about how great it is here.’ more than luck; she has man- aged to incorporate a quirky A physiologist by training, an main character into a narrative early sign of Jordan’s love of like those she admires – ‘easy to books can be traced back to read, but well written’. Addition when she was a teenager. After is the story of Grace, a woman reading Crime and Punishment, whose obsession with numbers she couldn’t get out of bed for and counting things (letters in three days. She laughs when a name, poppy seeds in a piece asked if she’s serious. ‘Yes!’ of cake) seriously affects how Despite being so moved by she lives. literature, she studied science before written anything cre- decades, the novel Jordan began at university in Brisbane, where ative, for six months she wrote in 2004 is being published by One day, on her usual routine, she grew up. She describes which is calculated down to 20,000 words of ‘horrible, auto- the home of Kate Grenville and herself as a ‘nerd’ at school biographical … throat-clearing Helen Garner in 2008. And it’s the last minute, Grace meets and attributes her work ethic Seamus and for the first time garbage’. hardly accidental. After listen- to her family. ‘We were all very ing to guest speaker Michael she is given a reason to attempt serious, working-class people. Inspiration for Addition hit on a to live less peculiarly. It isn’t Williams (then working at The goal in life is to get a good plane. ‘This woman just popped Text), Jordan jokes that she easy, though; she seeks help in job and then you get long- into my head – this really the form of group therapy and ‘kind of stalked him’. She heard service leave.’ kind of obnoxious, counting, him speak at the Victorian medication, which gives her the obsessive woman.’ That woman sensation – comic for the reader The story of her journey from Writers’ Centre and the became Grace, and the excerpt Melbourne Writers’ Festival. – of having two brains. Things science nerd to novelist begins that Jordan wrote on that plane appear to be working well for with a turning point. She was She researched publishers, was in the manuscript until the scrutinised Bookseller and a little while but as the story the marketing manager of a final edit. progresses we are forced to con- large vitamin company during Publisher, trawled writers’ blogs, sider whether life is better being the 2003 Pan Pharmaceutical At RMIT she was in a work- and took part in a master class ‘normal’ by society’s standards, product recall, when she saw shopping group with Chris at Varuna. After Varuna, her or if being true to yourself is an article about RMIT’s Womersley, whose The Low writing ‘just went off like a more important. Professional Writing and Road is in some ways the an- rocket … you feel so validated, A humorous, romantic story Editing diploma. Did she tithesis of Addition. Jordan talks you feel like a writer’. set in a very recognisable hesitate? ‘No, I never hesitate,’ fondly about workshopping Jordan describes writing as Melbourne, it is the product of she says good-naturedly. together. ‘It was so hilarious ‘the greatest way’ to spend her a fast and lively imagination. ‘Jump first. Fix up all my giving each other feedback time. ‘It’s like playing dolls in mistakes later!’ because he’s like, there’s too many your head.’ One of Grace’s fixations is jokes, there’s too many sex scenes, When she began writing the Nikola Tesla, a real-life inventor She’d chosen to study non- and I was like, there’s too many born in 1856, whose counting fiction, editing and corporate character of the niece, she says, murders, there’s too many beating ‘my fingers typed “Larry” before obsession centred on the num- writing, but she could do a things to death!’ ber three. Where did Jordan get fourth subject. For a bit of fun, I thought it … and when I saw the idea of having a character she chose ‘Novel’. Having never While some writers struggle for it on the page, I thought that’s

4 her name? Larry? What kind of smiles. ‘The more I have to do, a name is Larry for a girl? I had the more I fit in!’ to work out why her name was See Chris Gordon’s review Larry … Then I thought, it’s Catherine O’Flynn of Addition on page 8. short for Hilary.’ What Was Lost Addition is published by Text Winner of the 2007 Costa First 2008 is set to be a big year. Publishing. Novel Award; Longlisted for 2007 With appearances at writers’ Man Booker Prize This article proudly supported festivals all around Australia, ‘This funny, insightful story about teaching writing at RMIT, and by Copyright Agency Limited. the alienation of bewildered souls in freelance copywriting, Jordan public spaces speaks volumes about will be hard pressed to find time our obsessions about gain, and our to start that second novel. She fear of loss … This is a wonderful debut voice.’ –Alice Pung

Charles McCarry About the book The Miernik Dossier Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts. The let- Now in paperback for the fi rst time ters in her name (19). The steps she takes in many years, Charles McCarry’s every morning to the local café (920); legendary debut novel introduces the number of poppy seeds on her slice master spy Paul Christopher. of orange cake, which dictates the num- Innovative and daring in construction, this is a masterpiece of suspenseful ber of bites she’ll take to finish it. Grace storytelling. counts everything, because numbers hold the world together. And she needs to keep an eye on how they’re doing. Nicholas Drayson Love and the Platypus Seamus Joseph O’Reilly (also a 19, with A small-format edition of the the sexiest hands Grace has ever seen) captivating 2007 novel that examines thinks she might be better off without the obsessive nature of scientifi c the counting. If she could hold down enquiry, and the wonders of the natural a job, say. Or open her kitchen cup- world and of romantic love. boards without conducting an inven- tory, or make a sandwich containing an unknown number of sprouts. Grace’s Michel Lawrence problem is that Seamus doesn’t count. All of Us Her other problem is ... he does. A full-colour, A4-sized hardback, this is a remarkable Readings Special Offer record of the transformation of modern Australia from a simple Readings is offering Toni Jordan’s new novel Anglo-Saxon convict settlement Addition for the special price of $24.95 to today’s multicultural society. (Normally $29.95).

Bill Hayes  The Anatomist On the 150th anniversary of Gray’s Anatomy, acclaimed science writer and master of narrative nonfi ction SPECIALICE PR Bill Hayes has written the fascinating,  never-before-told true story of how  this seminal volume came to be. Cullen Murphy The New Rome? In this beautifully written, intelligent, and lively book, the editor-at-large of Vanity Fair brings the ancient world to life, and casts today’s biggest superpower in a provocative new light.

www.scribepublications.com.au

5 This Month’s News Literary news of all kinds, award winners, guest reviewers, Readings offers and promotions.

KIDS’ AWARDS HAPPY 100 TO who reviews Catherine O’Flynn’s THE NEW LOOK Brian Selznick has DE BEAUVOIR What Was Lost on p9. Sybil Nolan READINGS MONTHLY won the 2008 Need a good reviews Brock Clarke’s The Arsonist’s You’ll notice some Randolph reason to look up Guide to Writers’ Homes in New changes to the Caldecott Medal unread literary England on p10. Maloti Ray Readings Monthly for The Invention classics? Well, if reviews The Anatomist: A True Story this year – notably, of Hugo Cabret you’ve always of Gray’s Anatomy on p14 and last another increase in (Scholastic, PB, meant to read year’s surprise hit What I Learned size, from 28 to 32 $25), a 533-page Simone de in Architecture School on p21. The pages. The most novel that he also illustrated. Beauvoir, this staff of CAE Book Groups have exciting change, It’s the first time that a novel has could be the year to do something been generous with their time though, is the launch of a new ever won the prize, awarded for about it. Celebrations of her and opinions this month: Sally regular feature to promote new and illustration. centenary began last month in Keighery reviews Eating Lolly on emerging Australian writers, France, and will continue p9, Ingrid Josephine reviews The generously supported by the The Newbery Medal was won by throughout the year. De Beauvoir, Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce Copyright Agency Limited (CAL). school librarian Laura Amy Schlitz author of The Second Sex and on p10 and Vicky Booth reviews Each month, we will run a for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! several acclaimed novels, was a Roy Jacobsen’s Burnt-Out Town of double-page interview feature on a Voices from a Medieval Village, il- pioneering feminist and revolution- Miracles on p10. Thanks to all of book by a new Australian writer lustrated by Robert Byrd (Candle- ary philosophical thinker. you! that we’re particularly excited about. wick, HB, $29.95). Australian biographer Hazel The features will be written by some The White Darkness by Geraldine Rowley, author of the biography BOOKER PANEL 2008 of Australia’s finest literary figures: McCaughrean (OUP, PB, $14.95) Tête à Tête (a Readings bargain this Former UK both journalists and authors. And won the Michael L. Printz Award month), says she hopes that the defence secretary we’ll be making it easy for you, our for excellence in literature for centenary year will ‘stop people Michael Portillo reader, to engage with the books we young adults. mocking and belittling De will head this year’s feature, by offering them for sale at Beauvoir’ for her open relationship judging panel for a Readings special price during the COSTA/WHITBREAD with fellow celebrity philosopher the Booker, now in month of promotion. AWARD WINNERS Jean-Paul Sartre. ‘I don’t think we its fortieth year. He The category Our first feature (pages 4-5), should be trivialising this incredible will be joined on winners of the written by Sleepers Publishing’s figure by fixating on lascivious sex.’ the judging panel by the deputy Costa/Whitbread editor of Granta, Alex Clark, the Louise Swinn, focuses on Toni Awards were READINGS GLENFERN novelist Louise Doughty, James Jordan, whose first book, Addition announced last FELLOWSHIP Heneage, and Hardeep Singh (Normally $29.95, Our special month. Best Novel price $24.95) is being touted by her The Victorian Writers’ Centre are Kohli. In Britain, 193,000 of the was won by A.L. publisher, Text’s Michael Heyward, delighted to announce that Jason 196,000 copies sold of 2007 Kennedy’s Day as his greatest discovery since the Cotter has been invited to take up winner Anne Enright’s The (Jonathan Cape, HB, $49.95); first Shane Maloney. Text have the Readings Glenfern Fellowship Gathering (Jonathan Cape, PB, Biography by Simon Sebag already sold rights for the book into for 2008. The fellowship, which $32.95) were bought after the prize Montefiore’s Young Stalin (Weiden- several countries, including the UK is sponsored by Readings, awards announcement – a heartening sign feld & Nicolson, HB, $54.95); and the US. It’s a witty, off-beat the use of a writers’ studio for one for the prize’s ongoing relevance. Children’s Book by The Bower Bird romance about an obsessive- year. Jason will use the fellowship (Ann Kelly, Luath Press, PB, compulsive counting addict and to work on his novel-in-progress, POP STAR TO $21.95, late Feb) and Poetry by the surprising repercussions of her Little Bit Long Way. Congratula- JUDGE ORANGE Tilt (Jean Sprackland, Jonathan chance supermarket encounter. tions Jason! In a slightly (!) surprising move, Cape, PB, $32.95). 22-year-old Lily Allen is set to join Next month, award-winning author Alex Miller will interview literary In a serendipitous spot of timing, BOOK CLUBS AT PORT the Orange Broadband Prize for journalist Kevin Rabalais about his Catherine O’Flynn won the First Justine Douglas will be running a Fiction judging panel. Appar- debut novel, Landscape of Desire Novel category for What Was Lost, session on book clubs at our Port ently the singer/songwriter, who (Scribe, March), a riff on the Burke published by Scribe this month Melbourne shop in February. Find was initially rocketed to fame via and Wills expedition. We’ll also (and reviewed by Alice Pung on out everything you need to know YouTube, approached the panel be doing more smaller features: p9) for the first time in Australia. about setting up your own book to express her interest in joining. Q&As with authors and feature We spoke to Catherine this month club and hear about our book She will be the youngest ever to reviews. Look out for Mark Rubbo’s about the book and her success, and club program for 2008. We will be judge the prize. Prize co-founder interview with Peter Carey on p7 you can read the interview on p10. distributing starter kits for book Kate Mosse says she was ‘thrilled’ and our interview with Catherine clubs and you can enter the draw to include Ms Allen, and points O’Flynn on p10. SO FRENCHY, SO CHIC to win a free set of books for your out that she’s not the first celebrity club. Bookings essential. 6.30pm judge to join the panel, which has The first 30 CORRECTION, DEC/JAN people to buy Monday 11 February Readings at times included actors, models Apologies to guest reviewer the CD So Port Melbourne 253 Bay St. Ph and politicians. ‘With the Orange Catherine Woods, whose picks of Frenchy, So Chic 9681 9255. judging panel we always try to 2008 were erroneously included in 2008 ($35.95) seek a broad selection of ages and the print edition of our newsletter at Readings GUEST REVIEWERS experiences because it is about under the name of Maloti Ray. This Carlton will receive a free poster. This month’s guest reviewers celebrating international women’s error has also been corrected in our Be quick if you want to be chic ... include Alice Pung, author of the fiction and getting outstanding online Best Picks feature. luminescent memoir Unpolished fiction read by as many women and Gem (Black Inc, PB, $24.95), men as possible.’

6 February Q&A Mark Rubbo talks to Peter Carey about his latest novel, His Illegal Self. Full interview online (www.readings.com.au).

Q&A WITH fiction and non fiction. What he becomes one of the great PETER CAREY are your views of such a prize comic characters in the novel – Peter Carey’s new novel, His Illegal and what do you think the his incompetence helps bring Self, set in the late sixties, is about new government could do the novel to its resolution? a young American boy, Che, the for Australian writers? How did you think of him? child of fugitive members of the I think this is a wise, uncontrover- SDS underground. Che is abducted Phil was sent to me, descending sial decision. Mind you if I had from his grandmother by Dial, an through a propane glare. He was understood all this earlier I would acquaintance of his mother, and surrounded by white ants, like have been nicer about Nambour, smuggled to Australia. Readings’ singing angels, and when he rolled the Prime Minister’s home town. Mark Rubbo talks to Peter Carey his first joint and the smoke drifted Thank you for giving me this about the book. up and clung to his amazing side- opportunity to set things straight. burns I knew that he was mine. All your novels are quite I would, first of all, like to thank the clerks at the National Bank in different from each other. On a number of occasions in the Nambour who always took a long In His Illegal Self, the chief novel, you refer to a future that everything you suggest. However time investigating and conferring protagonist is a young American isn’t in the novel. Does that mean even you, further down the page, before they would give me any boy. Where did the idea for the you anticipate a sequel, or to give describe the American radicals as money from my savings bank novel come from? the reader a sense of hope? narcissistic. They are also often account. Also thanks to the guys I began with an American who strident, and doctrinaire, but with the red noses and yellow There will be no sequel, but yes, arrives in south-east Queensland they are in their own way also shirts who would always remind there is a future that isn’t in the on the run. He thinks he has bumbling. One of the characters me that parking was for Day and novel. I wanted to make it clear come to the end of the earth. blows herself up while trying to Grimes customers and only for that this was a whole novel, but He has no idea where he really make a bomb. the period when actually engaged not a whole life. If you think about is. This was the starting point. Generally speaking I was not with shopping at Day and this as a chapter in Che’s life you It came from real life but not trying to represent all Ameri- Grimes. I know I have suggested will conjure fleeting glimpses of a even that small germ survives in can radicals in this way, but to that a character in my book shop- remarkable man. the final novel. For a start, the represent an interesting thread of lifted from Day and Grimes, but man has become a woman and is the resistance, those who came would like to reassure the Prime I imagine you research the time now on the run from something through Harvard were children Minister that this character is fic- and settings of your novels quite completely different. of great privilege who, in terms tional. I paid cash for everything extensively. What was involved My first chapter in my first draft of their political activism, seemed I bought at Day and Grimes there in researching for this novel, is now much later in the work. It’s to have little social ease beyond and did not shoplift once. especially the Sunshine Coast in the scene in which Dial and Che the confines of Harvard Yard. the sixties? are hitching, walking north beside The sort of political adventurism Che’s father is a member of a Well I lived there in the mid- the Bruce highway, heading into that led to bank robberies and Weatherman type group, who seventies, but of course I went back a tropical storm. Almost no cars bombings always seemed to me seem narcissistic and indulgent. there when I was writing the book. are going their way. The traffic is the response of privileged people Is that your view of the left in I was generally disgusting, stayed in all southbound, heading back to who could not get their way. In the US, then? Now? a fancy place on the beach on Hast- Brisbane with headlights burning. general I don’t disagree with what Absolutely not. It is my view of ings Street, ate at Sails every day In that first draft, I imagined they wanted. the characters in my book which is for lunch. I went beyond Noosa, Dial was a single hippie mother The Australian hippies in the novel based on my opinionated foreign of course, but the dirty little secret with her son. are not political activists in the understanding on a sliver of the is that the world of my book did Obviously I changed my mind, same way, although you could easi- student movement against the not exist in the real world of 2006. but that’s why novels are such a ly agree, from the vantage of 2008, war. To talk about the American What you have on the pages of challenge and a joy. You discover that they made a political choice, left feels almost quaint. America His Illegal Self are nothing but things you never knew, imagined, and their choice demanded some has gone so far to the right since figments, inventions, things I made or experienced. Each day you courage of them. I don’t mean this those years that we can talk about up based on imperfect recollection climb another rung of the ladder. to be read as a national trait. living under fascism without and irresponsible invention. Two years later you have arrived When I think of the Australian really shocking anyone. Reagan But what a pleasure it was to return in a high and dizzy place. anti-war movement I am more in- destroyed the unions and now to Queensland, to walk on Sun- clined to think of the young union they will have to be rebuilt. The shine beach, to feast on mud crabs The novel is set in the late guy who has coffee with Dial in left, generally, will also have to be and Moreton Bay bugs. sixties, in both the US and Sydney, in that scene where she re- rebuilt, and that must partly come Australia. The protagonists in veals she has no idea that Australia from a re-invigorated union move- His Illegal Self (Knopf, HB, the US are hard headed warriors has troops in Vietnam. In other ment and those young people who Normally $45, special price $35.95) of the left, the Australians are word I think of trade unionists, understand the real consequences is reviewed by Mark Rubbo on p8. bumbling hippies trying to labour organisers and the younger of NAFTA and globalisation. avoid Bjelke Peterson’s police more middle class left. raids. Was that an intentional Wal-Mart will not be happy. SPECIAL OFFER Exclusive to Readings: your favourite contrast? This has nothing to do with your Dial enlists the help of the hip- Peter Carey novels (including last new book, but Prime Minister Fortunately we know each other. pie lawyer Phil Warriner to help year’s Theft) in Vintage paperback Rudd recently announced a You know I am a contrarian her out of her legal predicament; for just $12.95 (were $24.95). and will disagree with almost national prize for Australian

7 BOOK OF THE MONTH affairs magazine, who has just THE GIRL WITH THE been convicted of libel as a result of an exposé-gone-wrong of Fiction DRAGON TATTOO Stieg Larsson Wennerstrom, another Swedish fathers and daughters, lovers and business tycoon. Maclehose Press. PB. Australian Fiction husbands. Malouf’s stories are rich Normally $32.95 These two stories are entwined, ADDITION with intricate detail: a reverence for Our special price $27.95 as a highly unconventional private Toni Jordan the extraordinary within the ordi- Staff review investigator, the damaged and Text. PB. Normally $29.95 nary. ‘For those who don’t already I know angry young computer whizz Our special price $24.95 know his work, this new collection it’s only Lisbeth Salander, is hired to check Staff review of short stories provides an ideal in- February, Blomkvist’s character – for Vanger We all have troduction, while for those who do, but this wants him to get to the bottom of our quirks it offers confirmation of a rare and book the mystery of the disappearance and view of luminous talent.’ – The Guardian is a of his 16-year-old niece Harriett at the world sensation, the clan’s annual family gathering HIS ILLEGAL SELF that can lead SPECIAL PRICE and in 1966. Blomkvist accepts (with us into Peter Carey without a the bait of some dirt on Wenner- trouble, or Knopf. HB. Normally $45 doubt likely to be one of the top strom), and moves to a cottage on SPECIAL PRICE out. Here, Our special price $35.95 thrillers of this – or any other – the family island to start work. Toni Jordan, Staff review year! It’s the first in what is being As the case gets more complicated, first-time local author, has used a Seven-year- referred to as the ‘Millenium he teams up with Salander to help romantic framework to explain a old Che lives Trilogy’, by Swedish journalist him with the research – that is particular affliction of the main with his Larsson, who apparently tragically turning into a long and bloody character, Grace. Grace is a counter wealthy died of a heart attack some months trail of macabre killings that – everything she sees and does is grandmother after completing the third book in have occurred for decades defined by numbers. The food she in upstate 2004. This translation is the first around Sweden. eats, the purchases she makes, and New York. SPECIAL PRICE publication of the Maclehose the steps she takes are all based on It’s the late This isclassic crime fiction – from Press, with ex-Harvill publisher numbers. This is not a classic tale sixties and the tip of a hat to Agatha Christie Christopher Maclehose at the of a woman going under because of Che’s mother and father are in the scenario of Harriet’s helm (who has an uncanny knack her obsessive disorder, but rather, a members of a radical wing of disappearance from Henderby, the for picking some phenomenal story about what defines us and Students for a Democratic Society, family island (which on the day Scandinavian writers – like Peter makes us unique. It is also about a fugitives living underground. Che Hoeg and Henning Mankell). in question couldn’t be left), the yearns to be with his mother and family surviving tragedy and wonderfully atmospheric loca- when a young woman arrives at his But enough of preliminaries – accepting the outcomes. Told with tion in Sweden’s far north, the grandmother’s New York apart- what can I say about this unput- great warmth and humour, Jordan endearing character of Blomkvist, ment, he is convinced that this is downable book? It gets you in has created a strong female the marvellous creation that is Sa- her. But Dial is just an acquain- instantly, with a prologue which character that needs to confront lander, and a wonderfully executed tance who has been recruited to relates how the 82-year-old Hen- her demons, accept them and move playing out of the mystery which take Che to meet his mother. rik Vanger has received in his mail on. The Melbourne landscape of enthrals to the very end. And it’s When there is a terrible accident, on the same day for over 40 years the novel is marvelous as well. This not without its serious side – this the SDS underground spirit Dial a dried flower, always of the most is a love story without the frills. An is also an impassioned social com- and Che out of the country to unusual and rare nature. Every enjoyable read all the way through. mentary on the author’s part both Queensland’s sunshine coast. There year, he informs a retired police Chris Gordon is Events Coordinator of sex crime in his native land and they hide in a hippy commune, detective, for whom it’s his last at Readings Carlton the twisted morals of some of its outsiders, wanted and unwanted. unsolved and most frustrating case. high-flying financial players ... EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE And there Dial and Che begin to Next page: the family tree of the Truly fresh, totally compelling, David Malouf find some kind of future together Vanger dynasty, whose family Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Vintage. PB. $23.95 with a wonderful array of company is one of Sweden’s most deserves to be just as popular David Malouf is a master of the characters. His Illegal Self works on significant industrial entities. as the early Henning Mankell art of the short story. His poetic many levels; it is a testament to

prose shimmers, as always, in his Carey’s supreme skills as a writer. Then enter Mikael Blomkvist, – and then some! latest collection – seven stories of On one level it asks: What did the financial journalist and publisher Martin Shaw is from bookish boys and taciturn men, neophyte radicalism of the of Millenium, a new current Readings Carlton strong women and wayward sons, American New Left produce?

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Is Bush its legacy? On another, lightly. But she is not just an histor- has worked as a probation officer, it is a story of love and longing. ical novelist. Interspersed is International rape counsellor and at a shelter Carey is a storyteller who weaves Hanna’s story, a first-person Fiction for battered women. She is his imagination into tales that narrative. Not so much mystery as intimately acquainted with the speak to us all. contemporary pacy thriller, in both WHAT WAS LOST kind of people she writes about Mark Rubbo is Managing her personal and professional life. Catherine O’Flynn here, and it is evident in her deft Director of Readings In the Koran, the people of the Scribe. PB. $24.95 depiction of the forces that lead a book were the Jews and the Guest review couple to kill their own child. SPECIAL OFFER Christians, and indeed people of Catherine The story is told from multiple In a special these three faiths and their O’Flynn has perspectives: their neighbours, offer exclusive interrelationships are at the core of written a work colleagues, families, police, to Readings, this book. No doubt, in each book about social services, all blending to you can also historical episode, there is much very quiet create a cohesive picture. Fans of buy any Peter suffering and terrible persecution of people in the We Need to Talk About Kevin will Carey Vintage the Jews, but ultimately Brooks is peripheries of be drawn to this similarly complex paperback for very keen to elucidate the fact that society: a psychological novel. just $12.95. the things that people of different neglected Revisit religions and ethnicity have in little girl, a painfully shy WE ARE NOW favourite classics like Illywhacker, common are stronger than what adolescent boy, a black child, a BEGINNING OUR Oscar and Lucinda and Bliss, or fill divides them. A message of hope security guard suffering from DESCENT the gaps in your Carey knowledge for our times. insomnia. All these people are James Meek with those titles you missed! Sally Madsen is from connected by a past event – the Text. PB. $32.95 Readings Carlton disappearance of a small child Staff review PEOPLE OF THE BOOK from a shopping centre many I think I want Geraldine Brooks EATING LOLLY years ago, who is suddenly to know more HarperCollins. PB. Corrie Hosking showing up on the closed circuit about James Normally $32.95 Fourth Estate. PB. $27.99 television screens of the centre Meek. I, like Our special price $27.95 Guest review late at night. This is a story about many others, Staff review Margaret is 18 being lost in large places, being loved his Pulitzer prize years old and alone in a world peopled with wonderful -winning already attachments. Like the mall’s Siberian thriller Australian pregnant when labyrinth of unlit corridors with The People’s Act author her parents their many twists and unexpected of Love. His new novel seems to be Geraldine send her to live doors, O’Flynn’s plot never veers based on his career as a foreign Brooks in a tumble- away from the dark places. With correspondent in the Middle East, (March, Year down beach such a strong plot, a less skilled in the years 2001-2. Descent’s main

SPECIAL PRICE of Wonders) shack on a author would probably be character is 37-year-old Adam has written remote island. Alone for the first inclined to simply make do with Kellas, a war reporter in Afghani- another cracker of a book. The time in her life she is forced to rein- a striking story and simple stan, whose take on the conflict central artefact of the book is the vent her past in order to embrace characterisation. But what makes between Taliban and mujahadeen is so-called Sarajevo Haggadah, a her future. She renames herself the book extraordinary is that cynical – his employers are only 500-year-old prayer book used at Mumma and begins a relationship O’Flynn manages to include really interested in the American Passover, remarkably illustrated in a with her young neighbour, Mister. humour and compassion in such ascendancy (with photos and time when most Jewish manu- Together, she and Mister raise her a sad tale. The sheer richness of stories to match). What he wants is scripts did not contain any daughter Lola Belle (Lolly) as their the characters’ inner thoughts out – in particular to return to figurative art at all. Mystery? Now own. Home-cooked meals are the and complexities are written in writing fiction. But as his earlier there is a real Sarajevo Haggadah mainstay of this eccentric family with careful effortlessness; and attempts sold poorly, Kellas plans and in war-torn Sarajevo in 1992 it unit but as Lolly approaches the understanding with which to follow the path of a good poet was remarkably saved from adolescence her mother’s luscious the author treats all these misfits friend and become rich by writing destruction. Now fiction kicks in food no longer soothes her. Clues only heightens the tension and a popular mass-market thriller. The and in 1996 Hanna Heath, sassy to Mumma’s pre-island life poignancy of the narrative. What events of 9/11 intercede, however, forthright Australian conservator of inevitably bubble to the surface and Was Lost comments on the robbing him of the essence of his medieval manuscripts, is bidden to Lolly seeks answers. As her alienation of a society obsessed plot line: ‘it hadn’t occurred to Sarajevo to repair and document daughter’s world begins to unravel, with consumerism, but it is never Kellas that men might find it easier this precious book. She wonders Mumma must confront her own didactic. It is a wonderful read. to sell their thrilling, unlikely who were the people of the book past and reassess the wisdom of Alice Pung is the author of the narratives to the masses by asking ‘the different hands that had made decisions she made long ago. memoir Unpolished Gem (Black armies of believers to perform them it, used it, protected it’? Her Eating Lolly explores the legacy Inc., PB, $24.95) than to vend their imaginations at forensic samples and scrapings of long-held family secrets as airport bookstalls in the accepted taken from the book lead us there. they play out in the minutiae of MONSTER LOVE fashion’. He changes tack and a A butterfly wing takes us to domestic life from one generation Carol Topolski year later has produced an arch Sarajevo 1940, a silver clasp to to the next. Adelaide writer Corrie Fig Tree. PB. $29.95 satire that will still appeal to the Vienna 1894, wine stains to Venice Hosking was chosen as one of Brendan and Sherilyn are two action-hungry American masses, 1609, salt water to Tarragona 1492, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Best damaged people who find solace even as it ridicules them and their a white hair to Seville 1480. Brooks Young Novelists in 2005. in each other. It is a fiercely ex- government’s foreign policy. But, uses her vivid imagination to Sally Keighery is Program clusive relationship that must be even with a million-dollar book conjure up these five crucial Coordinator of CAE Book Groups protected at all costs … with ter- contract, there are complications: episodes in the Haggadah’s past rible consequences when a baby he’s causing havoc amongst his left- history. She is a great storyteller unexpectedly makes three. Carol wing London friends, who he and wears her considerable research Topolski is a psychoanalyst who accuses of chardonnay socialism;

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and Astrid, an American journalist Yemen won him the 2007 Bollinger obvious ways. I spent a lot of my he met and fell in love with in Everyman Wodehouse Prize for childhood behind the counter of Afghanistan, urgently wants to see Comic Fiction. Showcasing his my dad’s sweet shop and I think him ... This is intense stuff, with black sense of humour, Torday is there’s just something inherently the personal very much the back with a strong second novel. humorous about the world of political, and a meditation, too, on Told over a period of four vintages confectionery. The other great the role and value of literature: is it of wine (or years!) through the rec- thing about that and working in just to entertain, or to transmit ollections of Wilberforce, the novel record stores were the oppor- ideas? Descent to be sure gave me is a darkly comic tale of a man who tunities they gave me to watch an idea of our world that fiction has acquired a magnificent cellar customers and to speculate outra- seldom ventures into ... and makes of Bordeaux and a stately home in geously about them. I was only a me consider Meek surely one of the the north east of England. With SPECIAL FEATURE mystery customer for about two most interesting of contemporary a new taste for fine wine, and a Q&A WITH days, and so the voice in the book novelists. set of eccentric new friends there CATHERINE O’FLYNN isn’t the result of any in-depth Martin Shaw is from lies an almost endless promise of research – I just liked the idea of Readings Carlton adventure and opportunity in a Catherine O’Flynn has won wide- a foul-mouthed, depraved mad- dazzling world. Emotionally atmo- spread recognition for her first novel man making meticulous notes on AN ARSONIST’S GUIDE spheric scenes infused with lush What Was Lost (reviewed p9), standards of service. TO WRITERS’ HOMES descriptions of wine reveal some including longlistings for the Booker IN NEW ENGLAND bittersweet secrets – is Wilberforce and the Orange. She is in Australia The sinister characters in this Brock Clarke consuming his passion, or is it book don’t match the wild imag- this month for the Perth Festival. Text. PB. $32.95 really consuming him? The skill inings of Kate and Adrian, who Jo Case spoke to her. Guest review with which Torday weaves humour graft sordid motives (murder, Who is the into even the most dark scenes I love your central character robbery) onto the sweetshop serial arsonist makes The Irresistible Inheritance of Kate Meaney, the decidedly customers to amuse themselves. burning down of Wilberforce a unique novel quirky ten-year-old detective Instead, the sinister things peo- the historic which will appeal to enthusiasts who avoids loneliness by creating ple do are more insidious, less homes of late of black comedy and red wine. her own world. How did you dramatic, aren’t they? great American Ingrid Josephine is Program come up with her? Yes, life is rarely as dramatic as it authors? Administrator of CAE Book Groups I think sometimes in literature, is in books like ‘How to be a De- Official and certainly in the media, tective’ or episodes of Columbo. suspicion falls BURNT-OUT TOWN children are treated just as ciphers, This was a great disappointment on Sam Pulsifer, who as a teenager OF MIRACLES symbols of innocence or victims. I to me when I was a child and like accidentally burned down the Roy Jacobsen really wanted to make Kate a three Kate (though less consummately home of Emily Dickinson, with John Murray. PB. Normally $32.99 dimensional character that readers professional) tried to spot crime fatal consequences. Sam, the novel’s Our special price $27.95 might relate to as much, if not in my neighbourhood. To my narrator, would have us believe he Guest review more, than any adult character. In immense frustration, nothing is a normal young, white, middle- This moving creating Kate I thought back to the remotely clandestine ever hap- class man, who has done his time novel by kind of person I was when I was pened. That’s what I thought any- and is being unfairly targeted by Norwegian ten, which I suppose was the kind way – I’m sure plenty of sinister malign forces. To the unwary author Roy of person many of us were back stuff was going on behind people’s reader, it initially seems that author Jacobsen in our childhoods – burning with curtains and eyes. Brock Clarke is exploiting an unfolds energy and ideas and constantly original premise for yet another against the It seems that the generic embarking on slightly ill-conceived darkly ironic study of youthful SPECIAL PRICE background and elaborate projects. expectations of what a modern male alienation in America … but of the Battle life should be grind down many the plot soon thickens. Clarke of Suomussalmi, when the Finnish There’s not a false note in the of the characters in What Was understands the humour of army – silent, white-clad figures narrative – every action makes Lost – particularly Lisa, the desperation: he repeatedly produces on skis – defeated the Russians sense within the context of the depressed record store (assis- lines about love, literature and the against massive odds. It is early character. When writing What tant) manager. Is this something contemporary human condition December 1939 and Suomussalmi Was Lost, did the characters or you’ve observed or experienced? that make you think ‘Aha!’. Yet is due to be burnt to the ground in the story come first? I think I observed it more than despite its wit, An Arsonist’s Guide is the face of the advancing enemy. The starting point was a child lost experienced it myself. What inter- often uncomfortable reading, The villagers have evacuated, but in a shopping centre – that grainy ested me really was the contrast mainly because the author does an (because there’s always one) Timo image on the CCTV – so the first between the child full of ideas outstanding job of sustaining Sam’s Vatanen, logger and ‘village idiot’ two characters were Green Oaks and projects and direction, and rather gloomy, whiny voice. Brock refuses to budge. He alone greets itself and Kate, everything else the adult who seems to have lost Clarke is a talent to watch out for. the Russians in the wasteland of developed from there. their way. I think we all, at some Sybil Nolan is a freelance writer soot and refrozen ice left by the point or another, find ourselves and editor. burning. Forced to provide wood You have grown up in a sweet in jobs, or relationships or lives for the Russian army, Timo finds shop and worked in record that we didn’t intend perhaps THE IRRESISTIBLE himself the unlikely leader of a stores, as a mystery shopper because of expectations of what INHERITANCE OF small band of misfits struggling to and as a teacher. How have you a modern life should be, or often WILBERFORCE survive physically and mentally in drawn on all of these experi- just through drifting aimlessly. I Paul Torday the ‘white hell’ of the Finnish ences for this book? wanted to look at characters who Orion. PB. Normally $32.95 winter. These men are technically I suppose parts of all those and have sleepwalked into lives they Our special price $27.95 his enemies, but they all face a other experiences I’ve had leak don’t want and what it takes to Guest review common death. Doggedly, he sets into the book in obvious or less wake them up. Paul Torday’s debut on the literary about saving their lives and scene with Salmon Fishing in the restoring their identities whilst

10 Books teaching them to log the frozen with ancient, magical roots, is forest. Th e Burnt-Out Town of ravaged by one invader after the Miracles, told mainly from other. As World War II progresses, The Irresistible Timo’s unfl inching point of view, the country falls to the Italians, chronicles the behaviour of ordi- Greeks, Nazis, and fi nally the Inheritance of nary people in an extreme world. British. Kadare beautifully blends It leaves the reader with a haunting realism and fantasy, the latter Wilberforce sense of the beauty and cruelty embodied by his child narrator’s Paul Torday of both nature and man. view of the world. Th e boy’s Vicky Booth is Program transition from innocence to horror Even the finest wine can leave a bitter Administrator of CAE Book Groups to indiff erence refl ects the changing aftertaste… Chronicling the vintage years nature of his town, and indeed of Wilberforce’s life, this is a dazzling, MATTER of the wider world, with the $32.99 haunting story of obsession and addiction, Iain Banks large-scale bloodshed of the war. Weidenfeld & Nicolson Trade Paperback of loyalty and betrayal — and lots of wine. Orbit. PB. Normally $35 Aff ecting and absorbing, Our special price $29.95 this is a marvellous novel. The brilliant new novel from the bestselling Staff review author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Djan Seriy BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN Anaplian is Charles Bock an agent for John Murray. PB. $32.99 the Culture’s Newell Ewing Special is 12 years old Going Gray Circum- when he goes Anne Kreamer stances, a out for the

SPECIAL PRICE section night with In searching for the balance between charged with a friend in Las attractiveness and authenticity, Kreamer’s anonymous interference in the lives Vegas, never to journey of middle-aging illuminates of civilisations througout the return. While in an entertaining way the politics and galaxy. On assignment, word his distraught the personal costs of this generation’s reaches her of the death of her suburbanite parents each unravel definition of ‘aging gracefully’. $35.00 father, ruler of the Sarl, denizens of under the pressure of their grief, Little, Brown US the eighth level of the ancient Shell other events from the same night Hardback World of Sursamen. Abandoning reverberate through the lives of a her post to return home, she is host of disparate characters. Th e unaware of the intrigue taking ‘urban nomads’ who populate this place and the use to which she will book include a comic book illustra- The Low GI Family have to put her training. Ferbin otz tor on a debaucherous weekend, a Aelsh-Hausk’r, heir to the throne, band of misfi t runaways, a bubbly Cookbook is in hiding, announced dead by Wiccan teenager and a stripper Jennie Brand-Miller et al the scheming Regent who now who imagines her life as scenes rules in the stead of his and Djan’s from a movie. ‘Beautiful Children Delicious, easy-to-prepare low GI younger brother. Aided by a loyal, careens from the seedy to the meals the whole family will love that if somewhat disgruntled servant, beautiful, the domestic to the epic, $35.00 is beautifully illustrated and backed he journeys to reach the surface all with huge and exacting heart.’ – Hachette Australia by the best-selling, world-renowned Paperback in hope of contacting his sister. Jonathan Safran Foer New Glucose Revolution team. This Far-future-fl ung, pan galactic, comprehensive cookbook presents one witty, and deeply satisfying, Banks’ FRIDAY NIGHTS hundred recipes designed to provide a stale may well be alien in every Joanna Trollope healthy balance for breakfast, lunch, sense but, as with all great science Bloomsbury. PB. Normally $32.95 fi ction novelists, his story is rich Our special price $27.95 dinner and any snacks in between. with contemporary themes to Th e make you think as you enjoy ever-popular the entertainment. Joanna Paul Landymore is Manager Trollope is Bleeding Kansas of Readings Malvern back, with a Sara Paretsky winning CHRONICLE IN STONE novel Sara Paretsky’s new stand-alone novel is a Ismail Kadare SPECIAL PRICE celebrating stunning exploration of the lives of ordinary Text. PB. $22.95 the power of people, affected by events over which they A melancholy female friendship. Are friends the early master- new family? For these six very have no control, and a searing portrait of the backbone of the United States of America as piece from the diff erent women, ranging in age $32.99 winner of the from early twenties to early it is today. Hodder & inaugural Man seventies, they just might be. It’s Stoughton Booker Eleanor who starts the Friday Trade Paperback International nights. She spots two plainly lonely Prize. A young women, each struggling alone with boy loses his small children, from her window, innocence and sense of wonder as and decides – on a whim – to his home, an Albanian small town invite them in. Now, the women

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rely on each other to get them captures a time and place about to through the frequent anticlimax of dramatically change, and the last their Friday nights. But then, one days of decorous youth. of them introduces a man into the Jo Case is Editor mix … of Readings Monthly

MY MISTRESS’S NAZI LITERATURE SPARROW IS DEAD IN THE AMERICAS Jeffery Eugenides (ed.) Roberto Bolano HarperCollins. HB. $29.99 New Directions. HB. $39.95 This anthology The title of love stories chosen for this not only has an fake encyclo- illustrious paedia is origin appropriate – Pulitzer given the very Prize-winning real presence of author Jeffrey former Nazis in Eugenides is at Latin America the helm – but the profits are going following World War II. Despite to an excellent cause: Dave Eggers’ being fiction this book caused quite non-profit foundation 826Chicago. a stir when it was first published in Writers include Alice Munro, Chile in 1996. The translation is by William Trevor and Chekhov. The Melbourne’s own, Chris Andrews. introduction beautifully, somewhat romantically, outlines the selection FROST process: ‘The happy marriage, the Thomas Bernhard requited love, the desire that never Vintage. PB. $25.95 dims – these are lucky eventuali- A student’s ties, but they aren’t love stories. increasingly Love stories depend on disappoint- erratic ment, on unequal births and dispatches over feuding families, on matrimonial 27 days boredom, and at least one cold comprise this heart. Love stories, nearly without obsessive first exception, give love a bad name.’ novel by Perhaps just what you’d expect Bernhard from the author of The Virgin (1931–1989), published to Suicides and Middlesex. European acclaim in 1963. An unnamed medical student is sent CREATIVE ON CHESIL BEACH from Vienna by his supervisor, an Ian McEwan eminent surgeon named Strauch, to Vintage. PB. Normally $24.95 undertake ‘precise observation’ of Our special price $19.95 the surgeon’s brother, a famous WRITING Staff review painter who has suddenly left the England: city for the ‘dismal’ village of Weng. early 1960s. A newlywed couple, both Poetry virgins, are AT RMIT REVOLVING DAYS: on the brink Master of Creative Media - Creative Writing of their SELECTED POEMS

SPECIAL PRICE wedding David Malouf Creative Writing is one of a suite of programs under the night. Both UQP. PB. $26.95 banner of Master of Creative Media available at RMIT. of them are paralysed by nerves: From the )

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12 Dead Write New Crime Fiction with Judith Loriente THIS NIGHT’S sas. The world of Bleeding Kansas for another hair’s-breadth escape best of the genre, but also the very FOUL WORK is haunted by the past, and the from death. Here’s hoping there’ll best American writing full stop. Fred Vargas bloody wars once fought between be plenty more Bernie Gunther Writers include James Lee Burke, Harvill. PB. Normally $32.95 pro- and anti-slavery settlers. It is mysteries to come! JL Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Block Our special price $27.95 also a place of stern religious values, and Louise Erdrich. Staff review where God’s will is not questioned, GARDEN OF EVIL Does my and outsiders are viewed with David Hewson THE MIERNIK DOSSIER enthusiasm suspicion. So when Gina Haring, Macmillan. PB. $32.95 Charles McCarry for the a divorced New Yorker, arrives Staff review Scribe. PB. $32.95 Larsson book to rent an empty farmhouse, the A beautiful art expert from the McCarry’s first book, The Miernik elsewhere in community is wary of her. A Louvre is found dead in an art Dossier, originally published in these pages free-thinker and a practitioner of studio hidden in the lanes and 1973, is a riveting and imagina- mean I have witchcraft, Gina creates tensions alleys of Rome. Beside her, an tive tale in which a small group of

SPECIAL PRICE to withhold which are exacerbated when the ageing pickpocket is also dead, international agents embark on a myself with Schapen family finds a perfect red both of them in front of an road trip in a Cadillac, from Swit- this one?! Well, sorry – this is an heifer in their dairy. Taking it as the unknown Caravaggio masterpiece. zerland to the Sudan. Among them absolute beauty too! Vargas is fulfilment of an obscure religious What do these individuals have in are Paul Christopher, an American practically a household name in her prophecy, and believing Jesus’s common and what does it have to operative under deep cover; Kalash native France. It’s almost unbeliev- return to earth is now imminent, do with this beautiful painting? el Khatar, a seven-foot-tall Muslim able that we’re not equally crazy the heifer’s presence, coupled with These are the questions plaguing prince; Ilona Bentley, a beauti- about her in the English-speaking ideological conflict over the war in Nic Costa in this latest offering ful half-English, half-Hungarian world. Her characters are Iraq, brings the community’s ten- from David Hewson. His investiga- girlfriend of the British agent Nigel fantastic: Inspector Adamsberg with sions to breaking point. The result tions and those of his team will Collins; and Tadeusz Miernik, a his unconventional Zen-like is a climax all-too-in keeping with take him centuries into the past, shy and bumbling Polish scientist methods and problematic love life; Kansas’s bitter, explosive past. to when the painting was cre- who might be the leader of a terror wine-swilling Danglard, his oh-so- Judith Loriente is from ated and to the twisted men who force that could set the Cold War methodical counterpart, who finds Readings Hawthorn worshipped it in secret. Will Nic aflame. ‘Arguably the finest modern his colleague a perpetual night- be able to find the incontrovertible American spy story.’ – New York mare – but loves him to death, too! A QUIET FLAME evidence needed to charge and con- Times Book Review Vargas, a practising archaeologist Philip Kerr vict one of Rome’s most prominent before she turned to crime writing, Quercus. PB. $24.95 citizens? Join with him in this MR WONG GOES WEST is here in her familiar territory – Staff review thrilling, twisted tale of the darker Nury Vittachi some ‘regular’ murders that don’t I must admit side of the Roman aristocracy. A&U. PB. $22.95 look quite right and lead to forensic to being com- Sharon Nebel is from The world’s biggest and most investigation, a macabre slaying of a pletely partial Readings Hawthorn expensive aircraft is about to make deer, a disturbed grave, a ‘haunted’ on the subject its maiden flight, and CF Wong house from the eighteenth century. of Philip APPEAL has been called in to ensure the But really, what one is reading Kerr’s books; John Grisham plane’s feng shui is up to scratch. Vargas for is her wonderful ability to I thought Century. HB. Normally $49.95 When a man is murdered on paint pen portraits of people, to his The One Our special price $39.95 board, Mr Wong is delighted he capture somehow the essence of From The In a crowded courtroom in Mis- can charge a premium to alleviate their lives in a manner we don’t Other (Quercus, 2006) was one sissipi, a jury returns a shocking the extra negative energy. expect from a conventional police of the best crime books I’d ever verdict against a chemical company He’s also been appointed to figure procedural. Beyond that there is the read, up there with The Hound of accused of dumping toxic waste out whether the miseries of the loving portrayal of the quirks and the Baskervilles and The Murder of into a small town’s water supply, British Royal Family are simply a idiosyncrasies of (especially regional) Roger Ackroyd. A Quiet Flame picks causing the worst ‘cancer cluster’ result of bad feng shui, so things France, and a particular delight in up where it left off, with Bernie in history. The company appeals are looking profitable. But Wong describing realms of knowledge that Gunther arriving in Argentina, to the Mississippi Supreme Court, and his irrepressible assistant, the average person has never where he has been forced to flee whose nine justices will one day Joyce, soon become embroiled thought about before. Funny, poet- after being framed as a Nazi war either approve the verdict or reverse in solving the murder. ic, philosophical, clever – and criminal. Having convinced the it. The chemical company is owned absolutely compulsive. Argentine president, Juan Peron, by a Wall Street predator named THE GOOD HUSBAND Martin Shaw is from of his true identity, Gunther finds Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is OF ZEBRA DRIVE Readings Carlton himself recruited to solve two convinced the Court is not friendly Alexander McCall Smith brutal murders. Two teenage girls enough. With judicial elections Abacus. PB. $23 BLEEDING KANSAS have been found murdered, and looming, he decides to try to pur- Mma Ramotswe is experienc- Sara Paretsky the case bears a striking similarity chase himself a seat in the Court. ing staffing difficulties. First Mr. Hodder. PB. Normally $32.99 to one Gunther investigated years J.L.B. Mate-koni asks to be put in Our special price $27.95 earlier in Berlin. The murderer BEST AMERICAN charge of a case involving an errant Staff review was never caught, and there seems MYSTERY STORIES 2007 husband. But can a man success- Taking a break from her V.I. every reason to believe he may now Carl Hiassen (ed.) fully investigate such matters? Then Warshawski novels, Sara Paretsky be on the loose in Argentina. But Quercus. PB. $29.95 she has a minor falling-out with has written a novel dealing with taking on the case unleashes a can Expect the unexpected and prepare her assistant, who decides to leave contemporary issues, and their of worms that cuts right to the to be entertained. Here are 20 of the agency. Along the way, Mma effect upon the lives of ordinary heart of Peron’s brutal dictator- the year’s stand-out crime short sto- Ramotswe is asked to investigate a Americans in present-day Kan- ship, and Gunther finds himself set ries, showcasing not only the very couple of tricky cases.

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phone penetration in Beijing is performing, to international almost at 100 percent, making acclaim. Sixteen years later, she left Non-fiction it very difficult to find someone it all behind – husband, children, after 30 odd years. But it is through career – to reinvent herself, once Biography BEFORE YOU MET ME this journey that Wong finds out again seduced by a new love. Alan Close more about herself, the city she Jacqueline Kent looks at the THE ANATOMIST Random. PB. $34.95 has come back to and the friend consequences of possessing great Bill Hayes Novelist Alan she once betrayed. Wong’s journey talent – and the pleasures and Scribe. PB. $32.95 Close decided, is at times frustrating because of pitfalls of gambling for high Guest review at the age of its enormity but at the same time emotional stakes. The anatomy 43, to find out quite personal. Beijing Confidential textbook why he couldn’t is a timely and apt addition to the GOING GRAY written by seem to stay in many books now available on Anne Kreamer Henry Gray, a relationship. modern China as the world focuses Little Brown. HB. $40 with stunning Delving into on Beijing as the Olympics A quirky, engravings by his childhood, approach this year. revealing look Henry Vandyke early relationships and family Michael Awasoga-Samuel at our society’s Carter, was first history, he uncovered a long- is from Readings Carlton obsession with published in forgotten secret he had hidden even youth – and 1858. Never out of print since, now from himself. This unique book THE DRESSMAKER’S growing old in its 37th edition, available in a about one man’s quest for intimacy DAUGHTER (dis)gracefully. dozen-plus languages with an and peace with the past reveals a lot Kate Llewellyn Anne Kreamer estimated five million in sales, about the psychology of men and HarperCollins. PB. $32.99 always figured it is a classic text for generations relationships. Men will recognise a Lovers of good she was a ‘youthful’ 49, until one of medical students. Curiously, part of themselves in it; women writing will day she spied a photograph of little is known of author and artist. will find rare insight into what enjoy this herself with her teenage daughter Why? Hayes addresses the puzzle makes men tick. exquisite and realised that her brassy dyed from the perspective of Carter’s memoir from hair didn’t look as good as she’d personal journals – the only source BEIJING CONFIDENTIAL one of imagined. It led her to wonder why to describe the context of the text- Jan Wong Australia’s she, and everyone she knew, unques- book. What emerges is a portrait of HarperCollins. PB. $32.99 best-loved tioningly dyed their hair rather than a highly committed anatomist-artist, Staff review authors. Kate let it grow gray. What followed was struggling with depression and an Jan Wong, Llewellyn, author of The Waterlily, a thoughtful, often surprising ambivalent family background. a Canadian for- traces her life from her Eyre investigation into the hair care Carter used journals to self-castigate, eign correspon- Peninsula childhood to her nursing industry and the way that marketing to analyse faith scientifically and to dent, not only training, marriage, life in bohemian has led to the norms we now follow, micromanage days to the utmost lived in Beijing Adelaide in the 60s and 70s, her and into the effect of gray hair (read: efficiency. Gray is a prodigious at the height time as an art gallery owner, and a bold sign of ageing) on potential figure whose achievements inspire of the Cultural the beginning of her journey as a love interests and employers. Gutsy Carter. Following their successful Revolution as a writer. Combining striking honesty and insightful; an original and collaboration, their paths diverge young Maoist with the elegant prose of a poet, intriguing read. – to turbulent ends. To introduce (she studied at the Beijing Uni- her self-portrait reveals her life in basic anatomy and anatomy-artistry, versity), but she was also a foreign various shades of light and dark, RESISTANCE: Hayes describes present-day univer- correspondent there between 1988 beautifully evoking the times and A CHILDHOOD FIGHTING sity classes on anatomy and visits to 1994. Much of that period is places she writes about. FOR EAST TIMOR archives dating to 1555. Classes covered in her earlier memoir, Red Naldo Rei and visits intersperse with scenes China Blues. The latest memoir, AN EXACTING HEART: UQP. PB. $34.95 of mid-Victorian London, when Beijing Confidential, is more inti- THE STORY OF Naldo Rei was religious ideas were challenged mate. During her study at Beijing HEPZIBAH MENUHIN just six months by scientific ideas of medicine University, Jan Wong befriended Jacqueline Kent old when and evolution, when Britannia a classmate, Yin Luoyi, who ex- Viking. HB. $49.95 Indonesia ruled the waves. pressed a desire to go to American. Hepzibah invaded East Maloti Ray is a freelance reviewer Jan Wong shopped her friend to Menuhin was, Timor in the Authorities for being disloyal like her more December THEY CALLED ME and that was the last she saw of famous brother 1975. After his THE WILDMAN her. Now, after many years, much Yehudi, a father was Robert Hollingworth has changed in Wong’s life (and in musical murdered for his work in the Pier 9. PB. $29.95 China), and she goes in search of prodigy. Thrust resistance movement, nine-year-old Swedish-born naturalist Heinricke Yin. She has witnessed much in her onto the stage Naldo joined the clandestine Nelsen lived alone on a mountain time as a correspondent and grown by a calculating, resistance and began his own in Victoria’s Tallarook Ranges in the away from her early ideology – and controlling mother, she was on the extraordinary journey fighting for 1860s. Here, historian and artist China has left its Communist past brink of greatness aged 17, both as East Timor’s freedom. Throughout Robert Hollingworth tells the story behind and embraced capitalism. musical partner to her brother and his teenage years, Naldo was of his solitary life, using meticulous Wong is able to entertain us with in her own right. But, to everyone’s regularly imprisoned and tortured. research to painstakingly reconstruct much statistical information; for surprise, she left her career behind Eventually, in too much danger to the events of nearly 150 years ago. instance, the biggest Ikea shop to marry a Victorian grazier and remain in his homeland, he escaped Written in the form of a prison outside of Sweden is in Beijing move to Australia. In her new to Indonesia and then Australia for diary, this captivating biography and home ownership has increased country, she threw herself into several years. Now living in an beautifully captures a fascinating from zero to 70 per cent. Mobile humanitarian projects and raised independent East Timor, Naldo story from our past. two sons. Eventually, she resumed can tell his incredible story.

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TO THE CASTLE country has changed since being AND BACK thrust into the international lime- Australian History History Vaclav Havel light after 9/11, this is an inspiring tale of strength, dedication and VAN DIEMEN’S LAND A HISTORY OF HISTORIES Portobello. PB. $49.95 James Boyce John Burrow Vaclav Havel was president of courage in the face of adversity. Black Inc. HB. $49.95 Allen Lane. HB. $59.95 Czechoslavakia (and the nascent Almost half of Staff review Czech Republic) for 14 years. THE NEW ROME the convicts In this literally In that time, he was responsible Cullen Murphy who came to epic volume, for leading central Europe out of Scribe. PB. $27.95 Australia came John Burrow communism, and here he writes The rise and to Van has given candidly about the peculiar life of a fall of ancient Diemen’s Land. himself the task statesman and his lack of readiness Rome has There they of writing the for the surreal challenges of govern- always been a found a land of first attempt in ing a young democracy. He also metaphor for bounty and a English to reflects on the EU, the US as world America, but penal society, a kangaroo economy chart not only superpower, and the war in Iraq. here Cullen and a new way of life. In this book, the histories that make up the great Infused with characteristic charm Murphy James Boyce shows how the narrative(s) of the western world, and humour, this illuminating ventures past convicts were changed by the but also the history of their writing. memoir provides a valuable insight the obvious, bringing the brutal natural world they encountered. History isn’t only written to chroni- into contemporary Europe. colours of Rome and the complexi- ties of today’s USA together in this Escaping authority, they soon cle the past, it is also an effort in beautifully written, intelligent and settled away from the towns, making the present remember Politics hugely readable book. He explores dressing in kangaroo-skin and something in particular, to assert how the two populations saw their living off the land. Behind the that this something should not be RECONCILIATION: political elites, and the insular official attempt to create a Little forgotten – a sort of historico- ISLAM, DEMOCRACY cultures of Washington and Rome. England was another story of political intervention, if you like. AND THE WEST He looks at the consequences of adaptation, in which the poor, the And so, as well as bringing to life Benazir Bhutto military overstretch and the exiled and the criminal made a new the histories of the great historians Simon & Schuster. PB. $34.95 widening gap between military and home in a strange land. This is (which he does splendidly), Burrow Completed just civilian society. Pressingly, he their story, the story of Van wants to drill in and understand days before her argues that America most resembles Diemen’s Land. ‘The most what exactly it was about their assassination Rome in the burgeoning corrup- significant colonial history since living situation that made that on December tion of its government and arrogant The Fatal Shore. In re-imagining version so important to write, and, 27, 2007 at an ignorance of the world outside. Australia’s past, it invents a new moreover, why we still now think election rally at future.’ – Richard Flanagan that there is something in this Rawalpindi, BLOOD AND SOIL: history that matters to us. Pakistan, MODERN GENOCIDE TRUE STORIES: HISTORY, POLITICS, Working through the Greeks, Reconciliation is 1500-2000 Romans, Christians and Refor- former Pakistan Prime Minister Benedict Kiernan ABORIGINALITY (1999 BOYER LECTURES) mationists, to the largest section Benazir Bhutto’s clear-eyed MUP. PB. $50 Inga Clendinnen on the eighteenth and nineteenth assessment of the nature of A groundbreak- centuries (his particular area of Text. PB. $19.95 Pakistan’s relationship with the ing, important expertise), Burrow argues that In 1999, Inga West, with Islam and with new book from the world we inhabit is largely Clendinnen extremism. In this important new one of the the product of not what has gone delivered six book, Ms Bhutto demonstrates that world’s leading before, but of how that history has lectures as part extremism is not inherent to Islam, authorities on been written, reread, or forgotten. of the Boyer but that various factors, including genocide and Both an introduction then, and Lecture series. some policies of the West, have crimes against a tour of historiography; this is In those empowered Islamic fundamentalists humanity. Ben also a great way to read the history lectures, she and are responsible for the current Kiernan has been deeply involved in of the west. Burrow’s writing is declared that battle for the hearts, minds and the study of these subjects for 30 elegant and lively: what could be democratic people need true stories bodies of the Umma (the Islamic years, and played a key role in so dry in others’ hands is lovingly about their past; stories that catch nation around the world). unearthing confidential documenta- brought to life here. A pleasant the experience of different tion of the atrocities committed by reminder of all those great books individuals in different situations. DAUGHTER OF THE EAST the Khmer Rouge. His writings have I’m dying to read again! Here, the reader catches those Benazir Bhutto transformed our understanding not Andrew Cornish is Manager different experiences in fragments: Simon & Schuster. PB. $24.95 only of 20th-century Cambodia but of Readings Carlton The recently slain former Prime also of the historical phenomenon a woman being manhandled on a Minister of Pakistan tells the story of genocide. Here, he examines beach, an old man remembering GOD’S CRUCIBLE: ISLAM of her life in this revised and up- outbreaks of mass violence from the the hard lessons of his boyhood in AND THE MAKING OF dated version of her autobiography classical era to the present, a Jesuit mission, an old woman EUROPE 570-1215 (2007). From her upbringing in identifying connections, patterns urgently dancing the history of her David Levering Lewis country – and is given a frank and one of Pakistan’s richest families, the and features that in nearly every W.W. Norton. HB. $40.95 challenging review of race relations shock of the contrast of her Harvard case gave the warning signs of the It’s trite, but true, to say that an in Australia. and Oxford education, and subse- catastrophe to come. In Blood and understanding of the past is es- quent politicisation and arrest after Soil, Kiernan urges that we heed sential to an understanding of the her father’s death, Benazir’s life has the rich historical evidence with present. Since 9/11 and the sub- been full of drama. First published its telltale signs for predicting and sequent invasions of Afghanistan in 1988, updated to cover her own preventing future genocides. and Iraq, a basic understanding activities since then and how her of Islam and the Middle East has 15 Books

become more and more essential to THE TOUCHSTONE Nature and the Human Soul understanding contemporary events. ANTHOLOGY OF A road map to discovering our place in the In this book, David Levering Lewis world (Bill Plotkin) CONTEMPORARY traces the birth and development CREATIVE NON-FICTION This landmark book - the result of 25 years’ of Islam, and its expansion across work - encourages us to connect personally Lee Williford & Michael with the natural world and reassess our North Africa into Europe. The Martone (eds) place in it. Wilderness guide and former second half of the book concentrates Touchstone. PB. $34.95 psychology professor Bill Plotkin offers a on Islam in Europe, and the conflict This indispensable anthology practical integration of personal and spiritual between the Christians, headed by understandings that will allow us to transform unites 50 very different pieces from our culture. RRP $29.95 Charlemagne in Rome, and Muslim very different writers, all of them Spain, which was a clearly superior excellent examples of the burgeon- Love is Not For Cowards culture at the time. The seeds of ing genre of ‘creative non-fiction’. How understanding your past can transform answers to many of the questions of your relationship (Birgit Weber) There are memoirs, journalism, our time – Is Islam essentially vio- cultural criticism and personal Love is Not For Cowards is a book about lent? What is the conflict between essays, drawn from 1970 to today; daring to love - daring to share out inner Sunnis and Shiites about?’ – can be feelings and thoughts with our partner from writers such as David Sedaris, without worrying about their reactions. On deduced from this period. Barbara Kingslover, David Foster the challenging journey of love and self- Wallace and Amy Tan. A fantastic exploration, this insightful book is a valuable companion. RRP $24.95 resource for students of writing – Essays and a pleasure to browse for readers of all kinds. Up Downs AT THE SAME TIME A fun and practical way to introduce reading Susan Sontag and writing to children aged 2-5 (Michelle M Picador. PB. $25.95 Neumann, illustrated by Kaye Forster) Susan Sontag Journals The Up Downs’ approach makes it fun for was that rare SLEEPERS ALMANAC 4 parents and children to share time reading, creature: a Louise Swinn & Zoe singing, moving and playing. Including songs, celebrity critic. EHDXW¿XOO\LOOXVWUDWHGVWRULHVLPDJLQDWLYH Dattner (eds) activities and an alphabet book all in one, Up But, as this Sleepers Publishing. PB. $24.95 Downs is a wonderful introduction to reading collection of Staff review and writing. RRP $29.95 essays and Just a few days articles from the More details at www.finch.com.au before deadline last four years of for this issue her life reminds us, her celebrity was Publishers of books on family, health, relationships & society of the Read- entirely deserved. This collection ings Monthly, includes her much reviled New we received a Yorker piece on the US govern- finished copy of Writing in Paradise 2008 ment’s response to the 9/11 attacks the new Sleepers (which, in retrospect, seems cautious Almanac – the A week’s writing workshop rather than callous) and a resurrec- fourth such anthology of new short tion of the idea of literature as fiction from those young publishing wrapped up in a holiday in Fiji protest, as epitomised by writers dynamos Zoe Dattner & Louise such as Nadine Gordimer. Swinn. And first up – how beautiful ‘Literature is the house of nuance March 9 –16 2008 Novel Writing an object is it! Dattner tells us the and contrariness against the voices cover is based on the floral motif ;MXL/EXLV]R,I]QER of simplification,’ Sontag writes. from her couch – nice couch – Intensive daily workshops which will get A serious, yet seriously engrossing but whatever, it looks a treat, and your novel going – with a one-on-one meditation on our times. the new smaller format makes the ‘novel surgery’ tutorial for every participant. volume so much more tactile than SELECTED ESSAYS in the past. In terms of content, Gore Vidal there are a number of established June 1 – 8 2008 Memoir – Finding Abacus. PB. $28 authors both from Australia and the story The very best abroad with pieces – Steven Carroll, essays from ;MXL4EXXM1MPPIV Tony Wilson, Max Barry, Sean Vidal’s 50-year Condon, Will Eaves and John A week of exploring how to translate the rich writing career Burnside all contribute – but the texture of lived experience into a vivid, come together really exciting thing (one hopes!) engaging memoir. Exercises to awaken in this brilliant, about anthologies such as these are original memory, to find and clarify your wide-ranging the new and emerging writers (the unique voice, and to identify the narrative book. ‘lesser-known equals’, as the editors shapes in the jigsaw of memory. Courageous, nicely put it), and of the four or Please check out our website later in outrageous, and searingly intelligent, five I read in recent days, not one the year for more courses. these pieces explore literature, US didn’t leave me with wide-eyed politics, showbiz, sexuality and $2980 twin share. wonderment at the talent on display modern manners. From the fiction (and there’s even an ex-Readings Details / bookings: of Calvino and Updike to the staffer to boot.) So for this collec- [email protected] Clinton and Bush administrations, tion of over 35 stories I can only or call (02) 9969 4753 and a damning indictment of say: savour and enjoy. post-9/11 politics, this is a masterful Martin Shaw is from www.dakuresort.com examination of our times. Readings Carlton

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GRANTA 100 Garden William Boyd (ed.) The Dancer and the Thief Granta. PB. $24.95 READING THE GARDEN A novel Th is special Katie Holmes, hundredth Antonio Skármeta anniversary Sue Martin This novel is an exuberant love edition of one & Kylie Mirmohamadi story set against the backdrop of Miegunyah. PB. $36.95 of the world’s the new Chile. It is a tale of Whether a leading literary politics, ballet and a spectacular small plot in magazines is heist by a reluctant master thief headlined by the backyard of an inner-urban and his eager young protégé. guest editor Written by the award-winning William Boyd, and boasts an home or a author of The Postman (Il Postino). impressive rollcall of contributors. capital city’s Names include Nobel Prize winner sprawling Hardback‡Norton ‡AU$33.95 Doris Lessing, Martin Amis, Julian botanic garden, Barnes, A.M. Homes, Ian McEwan Australians and Nicholas Shakespeare. have long desired a patch of dirt to www.johnwiley.com.au/trade plough or enjoy. Reading the GRIFFITH REVIEW 19: Garden explores our deep aff ection REIMAGINING for gardens and gardening and God’s Crucible AUSTRALIA illuminates their numerous Islam and the Making of Europe, 570 –1215 Julianne Schultz (ed.) meanings and uses, from European David Levering Lewis settlement to the late twentieth ABC. PB. $19.95 In this panoramic history of Islamic century. Th e act of garden-making A new culture in early Europe, a Pulitzer government; has helped migrants create ‘home’ and identity in a new place; we Prize–winning historian reexamines a new Australia. what we once thought we knew. Th at’s the theme continue to use our outdoor landscapes to preserve the memory This book provides a new of the latest interpretation of world-altering Griffi th Review. of a loved one, feed the family or HYHQWVZKRVHLQÁXHQFHUHPDLQVDV Th e essays here beautify our surrounds. predict the current as today’s headlines. big trends that Hardback‡Norton ‡AU$40.95 will shape our nation and look at a Parenting history that is innovative, progressive CONSUMING and adaptable. Th e lead essay, by INNOCENCE leading young legal thinker George Karen Brooks &EBRUARYS Williams, addresses the dynamic UQP. PB. $34.95 nature of Australia, its stories, history Th is down-to- Best Non-fiction AUSTRALIA and legal framework, and considers earth, accessible how this could change. look at the !å-ILITARYå(ISTORYåå eff ects of OFå!USTRALIA popular culture Third Edition Food & Wine on family life is By Jeffrey Grey (Australian Defence Force Academy) FEAST BAZAAR timely indeed. The first complete military history to incorporate our nation’s Never has involvement in recent conflicts in East Timor, Afghanistan and Barry Véra Iraq. Grey covers every conceivable engagement from settler Murdoch. PB. $39.95 debate been so conflict with indigenous societies onwards in engaging style. lively on the complex relationship A colourful 0"ååå   åååååååPAGES journey between kids of all ages and pop through the culture, with the furore about 3OLUTIONSåFORåTHEåå culture and corporations advertising to kids, 7ORLDSå"IGGESTå0ROBLEMS the sexualisation of children, and customs of Edited by Bjørn Lomborg three of the the dubious impact of celebrities like Britney, Paris and co. Consum- New from The Skeptical Environmentalist comes this survey of most intriguing twenty-three of the world’s biggest problems, with an assess- countries in the ing Innocence explores these issues ment of the costs and benefits of their solution. Lomborg’s world. In this in a sensible, non-sensationalist results will provoke debate - particularly amongst climate way, without laying blame. It is change advocates. PLUS download software to compare your vibrantly illustrated companion results to Lomborg’s and join in the global debate. book to the author’s acclaimed grounded in comprehensive 0"ååå    åååååååPAGES food/travel series of the same name, research, but delivered in a chef Barry Véra gets to the heart of conversational tone, with common- Indian, Moroccan and Syrian sense advice. Brooks considers the 4HEå)SRAEL 0ALESTINEå#ONFLICT cuisine. Th is book includes over 90 role of celebrities, fads, technology, Second Edition By James L. Gelvin delicious recipes, information fashion, school, the media and about traditional cooking methods, parents in creating children’s ideas As President Bush makes a last-ditch attempt at its resolution personal anecdotes, and cultural of themselves – and shows how this award-winning and balanced study of the conflict has been parents and other concerned updated to incorporate recent developments. A must read for and historical observations. anyone wanting to know more about the historical background adults can educate themselves or key issues in the conflict and the main obstacles to peace. about popular culture and the 0"ååå    åååååååPAGES messages it gives.

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DOING ANGER Blair to act on climate change. Here, DIFFERENTLY he collaborates with science writer GREAT SUMMER READING Michael Currie Gabrielle Walker to present a clear, MUP. PB. $34.95 concise explanation of the problem AVAILABLE NOW FROM UQP Michael Currie we face and what we can – and has worked should – do to tackle it. CONSUMING INNOCENCE: with adolescent Popular Culture and Our Children boys and their HOW GOOD ARE YOU?: KAREN BROOKS families for 20 CLEAN LIVING IN A years. His DIRTY WORLD Essential reading for every Julian Lee parent. Doing Anger Diff erently Random. PB. $24.95 A timely book that looks at the Program takes Climate effects of popular culture on an innovative new approach to the change. Water children, parenting and family life. widespread problem of aggression shortages. Th e It offers practical and expert advice in boys – one that can be adopted nuclear debate. on how to manage the barrage by parents and teachers alike. Battery hens. of media, internet and celebrity Currie explains that the explosive Child labour. culture that your children are outbursts and monosyllabic Our world is exposed to. No family can afford to full of ethical be without this book. exchanges typical of aggressive adolescent boys are expressions of minefi elds, the way these boys understand and many of them posing questions February 2008 l $34.95 l Non-Fiction l 336pp misunderstand events. His about how we can live our lives approach allows parents and others while minimising our negative to take a key role in shaping these impact on the planet. Julian Lee RESISTANCE: boys’ understanding of their world. takes a witty, lively tour of the A Childhood Fighting for East Timor Doing Anger Diff erently presents a main stakeholders in the drive for NALDO REI set of clear, practical principles, better living in Australia, from fast- illustrated with case studies. food franchisees and organic An unforgettable true story of farmers to ethical investors and courage and survival. WINNICOTT fair-trade gurus. Along the way, he establishes how every one of us can Naldo Rei was just six months old Adam Phillips make a diff erence. when Indonesia invaded East Timor Penguin. PB. $24.95 in December 1975. There began his D. W. H[WUDRUGLQDU\ MRXUQH\ ¿JKWLQJ IRU Winnicott’s East Timor’s freedom. remarkable Psychology books, are still REVOLUTION IN MIND: read, valued THE CREATION OF and argued PSYCHOANALYSIS with over 30 George Makari years after his MUP. PB. $45 February 2008 l $34.95 l Non-Fiction l 352pp death. Th is Th is brilliant book, by the author of Going Sane, new book off ers is an elegant, thoughtful attempt to a defi nitive get to grips with a writer, paediatri- REVOLVING DAYS history of Freud cian and psychiatrist whose work Selected Poems and his disciples with children and mothers (and the DAVID MALOUF – and the birth wider implications their relationship of one of the Join David Malouf for a journey has for all of us) continues to be modern age’s through his life in verse. profoundly relevant and fascinating. most infl uential Revolving Days is a resplendent, movements. Beginning with great up-to-the-minute selection from one Environment changes in late nineteenth-century of Australia’s most distinguished science, medicine and philosophy, SRHW)URPKLV¿UVWSXEOLVKHGSRHWU\ THE HOT TOPIC: Makari traces the fi eld’s diverse in 1970 through to his bestselling HOW TO TACKLE GLOB- intellectual infl uences and the 2007 volume Typewriter Music, AL WARMING AND STILL fascinating characters who shaped read the very best of David Malouf’s KEEP THE LIGHTS ON its formation until 1945. He reveals poetry. Gabrielle Walker how psychoanalysis survived the & David King schisms between Freud and his Bloomsbury. PB. $29.95 followers (who all eventually fell February 2008 l $26.95 l Poetry l 216pp Most of us, at least here in Australia, away) and gained wide acceptance are convinced that global warming in Europe, only to be banished with poses a great threat, not only to our the onset of facism and World War way of life, but to our continued II. ‘George Makari has written nothing less than a history of the UNIVERSITY Of QUEENSLAND PRESS existence. But what can we do about it, at home and in government? Sir modern mind.’ - Paul Auster Celebrating 60 years in 2008 David King is the UK government’s www.uqp.com.au Chief Scientifi c Adviser and the man credited with persuading Tony

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What are the consequences of these change. It’s a divide that effects Cultural Studies conspiracies of silence? This book government policy and funding. Literature looks at a variety of examples, from Drawing comparisons with the FLESH AND THE MIRROR: the domestic (families that avoid UK and the US, The Literacy Wars THE PARIS REVIEW ESSAYS ON THE ART OF discussing a member’s cancer) to the shows how the debates in Australia INTERVIEWS VOL. TWO ANGELA CARTER political (the military’s ‘don’t ask, resonate with similar battles in Philip Gourevitch (ed.) Lorna Sage (ed.) don’t tell’ policy). Zerubavel pin- other parts of the world. Text. PB. $34.95 Virago. PB. $28 points the normative and political The first This distin- underpinnings of silence and denial, BETTER: edition of The guished volume and shows that silence is usually A SURGEON’S NOTES Paris Review’s of essays more intense when there are more ON PERFORMANCE interviews with commemorates people conspiring to maintain it. Atul Gawande writers the work of Picador. PB. $23.95 attracted wide acclaimed THE LITERACY WARS A surgeon at critical acclaim. writer Angela Ilana Snyder the Brigham These Carter. Here, A&U. PB. $32.95 and Women’s seemingly renowned Debates over Hospital in simple Q&A style interviews, writers and critics including how children Boston and an drawn from the journal’s begin- Margaret Atwood, Robert Coover, are taught to assistant nings in 1953 to recent times, have Hermione Lee and Marina Warner read and write professor at the elicited invaluable observations on discuss the novels, stories and have grown Harvard School the craft of writing from some of polemics that made Carter one of increasingly of Public the world’s greatest practitioners of the most spellbinding writers of her urgent in Health, Dr. Atul Gawande succeeds the art. (For example, William generation. recent years. in putting a human face on Faulkner’s comment that writing is Confidence in controversial topics like malpractice ‘99% talent … 99% discipline … ELEPHANT IN THE the abilities of teachers has and global disparities in medical 99% work’.) Introduced by Orhan ROOM: SILENCE dwindled and many now believe care, while taking an unflinching Pamuk, this book features Toni AND DENIAL IN there is a literacy crisis in our look at his own failings as a doctor. Morrison, Isaac Bashevis Singer, EVERYDAY LIFE schools. Is there? Ilana Snyder Critics appreciated his candour, his Graham Greene, James Baldwin Eviatar Zerubavel explains what lies behind the often sly sense of humour, and his skill in and more. OUP. HB. $28.95 bitter disagreements between the examining difficult issues from Why is it possible for things to be critics who want to reclaim the old many perspectives. He conveys his known and ‘not known’ at the same ways of teaching literacy and the message – that doctors are only Photography time by individuals in a group? educators in favour of creative human and therefore must always ALL OF US be diligent and resourceful in Michel Lawrence fulfilling their duties – in clear, Scribe. HB. $59.95 confident prose. Most critics’ only Staff review complaint was that half of the Photographer essays are reprints of earlier articles. Michel Gawande’s arguments, by turns Lawrence was inspiring and unsettling, may cause horrified by Readings Summer you to see your own doctor in a the images of whole new light. the Cronulla riots where THE STORY OF FRENCH Anglo-Austral- Jean-Benoit Nadeau ians stood off & Julie Barlow against Lebanese Australians. This Henry Holt. PB. $25.95 wasn’t the Australia he thought he Sale Now in paperback. The first his- lived in; so he set himself a project tory of one of the most beauti- to record the Australia he wanted, ful languages in the world, this a tolerant, accepting and diverse groundbreaking book charts the society united by a common dream origins of the French language and – to be Australian. He decided its progress around the globe. that he would record the people that made up Australia and set out to photograph at least one person Up to 50% off selected books, Music from every nationality that now DVDs & CDs. Limited stock. THE EARLY YEARS: THE calls Australia home. The 2006 LYRICS OF TOM WAITS Australian census listed 231 ‘coun- tries of origin’ and Michel managed Tom Waits And 20% off all fiction and kids to find 220 people from 180 dif- HarperCollins. HB. $45.95 ferent places. All of Us is a beautiful books. Our summer sale starts Known for his growling vocals record of all those people and the and the distinct poetry of his lyr- Saturday February 16 at all five diversity that makes Australia great. ics, Waits has amassed a devoted Michel Lawrence has done us a Readings shops. Hurry in! following over the course of three great service; his book belongs in decades. This work collects the lyr- every home to inspire us. ics – formative and classic – from Mark Rubbo is from the first ten albums of this true Readings Carlton bard of hard living.

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RENAISSANCE SIENNA: building. The first publication to are tips for drawing (how to draw a Art & Design ART FOR A CITY present a collection of the most line, 1), presentation (roll your Xavier Salomon et. al important examples of this drawings facing out to help them BEYOND SACRED emerging trend includes work by stay flat, 90) and sanity (manage Howard Morphy, Nick Yale University Press. HB. $110 Siena flour- Patrick Blanc (Quai Bramley your ego, 86). There are explana- Waterlow, Colin Laverty ished as a Museum Plant Wall & Genoa tions on theory (sense of place, 9; & Judith Ryan major artistic Aquarium Plant Wall), Herzog & parti, 15; decorated shed, 95) and Hardie Grant. HB. $120 centre during de Meuron (Prada Aoyama history (traditional architecture, 60). A comprehen- the Italian Epicentre Tokyo) and artists Pencil sketches and pen diagrams sive, visually Renaissance, Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, illustrate each of the 101 things, stunning survey fuelled by the who have temporarily transformed clarifying concepts unspoken but of recent patronage of various architectural spaces using assumed throughout architecture Aboriginal art. powerful and grass as an aesthetic material. school and beyond. Frederick Ranging across wealthy families, and the results Spectacular indeed! MS addresses architects as designers, Western were remarkable for their virtuoso prioritising the emotional experi- Australia and beauty and strong sense of civic SO FAR: ence of buildings. This shows in the the Northern identity. This is the first major THE ART OF DALE selected signature quotes from Territory, from the well-known art book in English to showcase a FRANK, 1980-2005 celebrity architects (Loius Kahn, 8; centres of Papunya and Utopia to breathtaking and diverse range of Frank Dale Mies van der Rohe, 61) and random the lesser known communities of masterpieces and discuss in depth Black Inc. HB. $199 unsubstantiated hypotheses (69) Maningrida and Bidyadanga, this how art was shaped and sustained This spectacu- on reality (23), beauty (51) and book tells the story of Aboriginal art to provide a unique artistic lar new book zeitgeist (83). Frederick –architect, and its growing presence in the language for Siena – prior to the traces a urban planner and teacher – has contemporary art scene. Strikingly city’s possession in 1557 by Cosimo trajectory in produced an architecture handbook illustrated and lavishly produced, de Medici of Florence, its cultural the work of wonderfully evocative of architec- the book features more than 250 and political rival. MS Australian artist ture studios by the boxboard hard- paintings and drawings. Works are Dale Frank, cover (card used to make building featured from internationally QUILTING, PATCHWORK considering his models) and sketch of different pen- renowned artists such as Rover & APPLIQUÉ: A WORLD early perfor- thicknesses (style used to indicate Thomas, Emily Kngwarreye and GUIDE mance artworks of the 1970s and object thickness or hierarchy). John Mawurndjul, as well as from Caroline Crabtree early 1980s and themes that Maloti Ray is a freelance reviewer newer discoveries such as Alma & Christine Shaw emerged in his work of the mid- Webou and Christine Yukenbarri. It Thames & Hudson. HB. $75 1990s onward. It tracks the idea of is a major survey of contemporary A beautiful and performance in his work, culminat- Travel Wrap Aboriginal art in Australia and will comprehensive ing with a discussion of his most by Kate O’Mara inspire the experienced collector and guide to textiles recent paintings. It includes novice alike. The success of and techniques instances of his large-scale Margaret Snowdon is Art & Design the Wallpaper from around drawings, ‘social sculpture’ Buyer at Readings Carlton and Luxe the world. The performance works and ‘Varnish guides has book is divided Paintings’. This is a magnificent MURAKAMI obviously into three main career retrospective monograph, inspired a few Takashi Murakami, sections notable for its high production niche travel Dick Hebdige, Midori – materials, uses and construction. values and the new light it sheds on guide Matsui, Scott Rothkopf, Covering household items and one of Australia’s leading painters. publishers to Mika Yoshitake, clothing to ritual and ceremonial throw some product out there. Paul Schimmel objects, the book contains a The latest mob are US publisher stunning collection, with over 500 Architecture & Lisa Gabrielle Mark Authentik who, if their newly Rizzoli. HB. $95 illustrations, a glossary, bibliography, 101 THINGS I LEARNED released art, shopping and dining Takashi an index and advice on how to care IN ARCHITECTURE guides to Paris and London go Murakami for such pieces. MS SCHOOL well, will be showering us with is one of con- Matthew Frederick more guides to more places temporary art’s VERTICAL GARDENS MIT. HB. $21.95 over the coming year. most innovative Anna Lambertini Guest review and impor- Thames & Hudson. HB. $120 Britain’s reliable and practical Auto- tant figures. Bringing nature mobile Association have several new Drawing from into urban guides due over the coming weeks, street culture, environments including some of their handy high art, and traditional Japanese has always been CityPack book and map combos. painting, Murakami takes the con- a challenge for These guides may look a little temporary art trend of mixing high metropolitan unexciting, but they actually have a and low to an unprecedented level areas. One of lot of interesting things in them and (critics call him the new Warhol), the most their maps are just about the best in producing original paintings and spectacular This A5 illustrated handbook is the business. Last, but not least at sculptures as well as mass-produced solutions to this problem is the exceptional among hardcover all, Lonely Planet have a shiny new consumer objects such as toys, vertical garden. These gardens are architecture books for two reasons: edition of one of their most popular books, and most famously, a line more than just an unusual it is lucid and it is cheap. It has tomes, Italy, coming out this month of handbags for Louis Vuitton. The decoration attached to a wall – they short, straightforward advice along with new editions of London, publication of Murakami coincides are a means of bringing life and immediately applicable for students, Venice, Shanghai and Sydney. with the first major retrospective of greenery to a bleak courtyard, a practitioners and educators. There the artists’ work. MS grey city street, or a cold modern 20 Books

– a former refugee returning home NOTES FROM for the first time – Vietnam is full THE TEENAGE Kids’ Books of surprises. A fresh perspective on UNDERGROUND multicultural families. STONE KEY: age. My Family and Other Catastro- Simmone Howell THE OBERNEWTYN phes, written in diary form, is full of Pan. PB. $16.95 PUFFLING CHRONICLES BOOK 5 teen angst and passion. Erin is try- Staff review Julie Vivas Isobelle Carmody ing to cope with her parents’ split When a truly great book happens (illus. Margaret Wild) Viking. PB. $32.95 and her mother’s new man, who along, it makes itself known in sub- Omnibus. HB. $27.99 Staff review Erin refers to as the Creepazoid, tle ways. Copies go missing from This gorgeous It has been a long and who is, horror of horrors, the libraries, people get outraged, life picture book eight-year wait PE teacher at her school. Likeable, plans are changed. And this year’s will speak to for the latest totally over-imaginative and self- Inky’s winner is one. It is an evoca- children installment in obsessed, Erin’s struggles, and those tive, powerful book. A dangerous, everywhere who Isobelle of her fellow members of the school truthful book. A book that em- long to be ‘big Carmody’s musical, will be enjoyed and identi- powers, challenges and makes the enough’ to reach that next Obernewtyn fied with by much of its intended world that little bit warmer. It is a all-important milestone. Nestled series and … it audience. The publisher’s suggested book that reminds me why I work deep in his burrow, Puffling the was worth it. The Stone Key, reading age for the series is 13 to in the book industry. It is a juicy puffin is cared for by his parents, number five in the six-part series, is 16, though I suspect ‘cool’ pre-teens story about three girls who dare but waits impatiently for the day a chunky, involved read for teens will enjoy these two as well. to spend their summer chasing a when he is ‘strong enough and tall (and those of us who started Kathy Kozlowski is from dream. Andy Warhol is their guide enough and brave enough’ to reading these books 20 years ago!) Readings Carlton and they aim to be avant-garde, to protect himself from the predatory It continues Elspeth, the heroine’s, lose their virginity, to live a little. gulls outside. Of course, his itch for journey through the post- THANK YOU BEAR Notes is also an elegy to the tenuous independence is finally scratched apocalyptic land to grant freedom Greg Foley relationship between mother and when the big day arrives for him to to her people and save mankind. So Viking. HB. $19.95 daughter, the power of art and dive into the sea ... you know, light summer reading. Sometimes a sheer difficulty of being yourself. This instalment is a great read box is just a box. Read it; it’s worth it. (And please MINTON GOES SAILING though, seeming more considered Sometimes it is don’t steal it!) CM MINTON GOES DRIVING and driven than the last. Carmody much much AND TRUCKING writes passionately, empowering more. That is KAITO’S CLOTH MINTON GOES and engaging readers and does not what Bear Glenda Millard (illus. UNDERWATER & fail the loyalty of her fans. Savour thinks. But not everyone agrees. Gaye Chapman) HOME AT LAST this one and hopefully, next year Until Bear finds someone who sees Scholastic. PB. $14.99 will see number six on our shelves. it differently. Sometimes finding a Anna Fienburg Winter is Callie Martin is from friend who sees things as you do is (illus. Kim Gamble) drawing near and Readings St Kilda the greatest gift of all. An evocative A&U. PB. $12.95 Kaito’s butterflies story of true friendship, heart- Minton the have died. She INDIGO GIRLS: rendingly illustrated. salamander loves weeps, but the GIRLFRIEND FICTION 2 adventure Lord of Flight Penni Russon AIRMAN – especially in explains that A&U. PB. $14.95 Eoin Colfer things that go. although MY LIFE AND OTHER Puffin. PB. $19.95 Turtle is always butterflies must come and go, flight CATASTROPHES: An airborne action adventure from worried that things will end in itself will last forever. So Kaito GIRLFRIEND FICTION 1 the bestselling author of Artemis disaster ... but he’s along for the finds a way to experience the magic Rowen Mohr Fowl. Conor Broekhart was born ride, anyway. These engaging, of flight - and honour the beauty of colourful re-issued picture books A&U. PB. $14.95 to fly. Or more accurately, he her butterflies - even in the middle from the creators of Tashi are perfect Staff review was born flying. Little wonder he of winter. for small children who, like Minton, These are the first two titles in a became what he became. In an age are fascinated with things that go. new series published in collabo- of discovery and invention, many KIDS’ NEWS ration by Allen and Unwin and dreamed of flying, but for Conor Let’s face it: awards for most ARE YOU FOR WHEEL?: Girlfriend magazine and designed to flight was more than just a dream, kids’ books are not chosen by the MOST AMAZING help teenage girls discover the joys it was his destiny. In one dark intended audience. Well, the 2007 CARS EVER of reading. In The Indigo Girls two night on the island of Great Saltee, Inkys, by the State Library of Vic- very different teenagers, members a cruel and cunning betrayal de- Tony Davis toria’s Centre for Youth Literature, of a trio of families who have been stroyed his life and stole his future. Random. PB. $14.95 were different. The CYL picked ten camping at the same spot for years, Now Conor must win the race for Burgeoning rev-heads and fact lov- Australian and ten overseas titles find themselves thrown together flight, to save his family and right a ers alike will love this enthusiastic published in the last financial year when the third family have to come terrible wrong. guide to the weirdest – and most and put them on their website (in- later. Zara is super glamorous, in wonderful – inventions from the sideadog.com.au), asking teenagers the cool group at her school; Tilly, NOODLE PIE world of motoring. These cars are to vote for their favourite. They had the down-to-earth geeky one. The Ruth Starke made from materials as odd as plas- over 6000 votes. The winners were story unfolds through their two Omnibus. PB. $16.99 tic and bamboo ... and some are Golden Inky (Australian): Notes voices as each worries about their Meeting relatives for the first time as small as knee-high, while others from the Teenage Underground, lives, their families and wanting the isn’t easy. When they speak a differ- are as long as a bus. Read about the Simmone Howell, Pan, PB, $16.95 friendship to work. The voices are ent language and seem to be greedy car with one wheel and the car that AND Silver Inky (overseas): Look- authentic, the plot gripping and and impatient and, worst of all, was powered by a fan. ing For Alaska, John Green, Harper, Penni Russon has created a lovely run a pretty crummy restaurant, Also available: You Must Be Skidding PB, $16. sense of place with minimum word- it’s the pits. For Andy and his dad (Tony Davis, Random, Normally $14.95, Our special price $7.95). 21 Readings Famous Bargain Table BARGAINS ON THE WEB TETE A TETE: STORIES AND POEMS THE NATURE OF Our new bargain books are THE LIVES AND LOVES FOR EXTREMELY ALEXANDER THE GREAT regularly added to our website. OF SIMONE DE INTELLIGENT CHILDREN Mary Renault. PB. Was $25. Just click on the Bargains tab at BEAUVOIR AND OF ALL AGES Now $12.95 www.readings.com.au. JEAN PAUL SARTRE Harold Bloom (ed.). HB. Mary Renault Hazel Rowley. PB. Was $27.95. Was $46.75. Now $15.95 peels off layers of OUT STEALING HORSES Now $12.95 Here are old wishful thinking Per Petterson. PB. Was $27.95. The first dual favourites by to reveal the real Now $12.95 portrait of these beloved writers of Alexander beneath. Winner of the two colossal figures children’s 2007 IMPAC and their intense, literature, as well as award, this often embattled works by Melville, Norwegian novel is relationship. Tolstoy, Wharton, a wonderful and Whitman. THE TWELVE CAESARS coming-of-age Suetonius. PB. Was $25. story. TIME BITES: Now $12.95 THE ESSENCE OF STYLE VIEWS AND REVIEWS The Twelve Caesars, Joan DeJean. HB. Was $42.70. Doris Lessing. HB. Was $46.95. covering the CASA MORO: Now $16.95 Now $17.95 Roman rulers from THE SECOND Writing with great In this collection Julius Caesar to COOKBOOK elan, one of the of the very best of Domitian, remains Sam & Sam Clark. HB. foremost authori- Nobel Laureate one of the richest Was $79.95. Now $39.95 ties on seven- Doris Lessing’s and most An impressive teenth-century essays, we are fascinating of all quality and French culture treated to the Latin histories. diversity of recipes provides an wisdom and keen influenced by account of how, insight of a THE AUSTRALIAN Spain and the at one glittering moment in history, brilliant writer. CONSTITUTION Muslim Mediter- the French under Louis XIV set John Williams. HB. Was $350. ranean from the the standards of sophistication, CONCISE GASTRONOMY Now $29.95 chefs of the famous style, and glamour that still rule OF ITALY This easily Moro Restaurant in London. our lives today. Anna Del Conte. PB. Was $39.95. accessible Now $14.95 collection of THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: COLOSSUS: A concise primary source A STORY OF LIFE, THE RISE AND FALL OF paperback edition material includes LOVE AND DEATH IN THE AMERICAN EMPIRE of a classic book drafts of the FOREIGN LANDS Niall Fergusson. PB. Was $27.95. that includes all Constitution, Aidan Hartley. HB. Was $39.95. Now $13.95 the information of memoranda, Now $16.95 Acclaimed the original. personal letters relating to the This stunning historian Niall drafting, and comments by the memoir of war, Ferguson ranges drafters themselves. It contains colonialism and across the entire Hansard extracts, speeches, cross-cultural history of JESUS AND YAHWEH: resolutions from Australasian adventure (set in America’s foreign THE NAMES DIVINE Federal Conventions and com- post-colonial and entanglements and Harold Bloom. HB. Was $42.70. ments on the drafts. It also contemporary delves into all the Now $15.95 reproduces newspaper cartoons Africa) follows two dimensions of American power: Prolific literary reflecting popular feeling at the generations of Englishmen in military, economic, cultural, and critic Bloom time. A magnificent volume! Africa, combining memoir with political. tackles the journalism. Bewitching, engrossing characters of the VOYAGE AND and illuminating. PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY Jewish and LANDFALL: THE ART OF A CHILDHOOD AND Christian gods: OF JAN SENBERGS DAVID GOLDER THE STORY OF A RETURN what god do we Patrick McCaughey. HB. Irene Nemirovsky. PB. Was $32.95. Marjane Satrapi. PB. Was $49.95. meet in Hebrew Was $59.95. Now $19.95 Now $14.95 Now $19.95 Scripture? Who is the Jesus of the Renowned critic The second novel Now in one New Testament, and does he bear and art historian by the author of volume, Marjane any relation to the Jesus most Patrick McCa- Suite Francaise. A Satrapi’s brilliant people worship? Does, for that ughey traces chilling and memoir-in-comic- matter, the Hebrew Yahweh Senbergs’ journey, brilliant portrait of strips about resemble the first person of his development the frenzied growing up in Iran contemporary Christians’ Trinity? as an artist and capitalism of the during and after his distinctive 1920s. the Islamic interpretation of the Australian revolution landscape.

22 New Release DVDs DVD OF THE MONTH SICKO THE BEAST ROMANCE AND AS IT IS IN HEAVEN $29.95. Director: Michael Moore. $34.95. Director: Walerian CIGARETTES $34.95. Director: Kay Pollack. Release date: 6.02.08 Borowczyk. Release date: 6.02.08 $39.95. Director: John Turturro. Release date: 13.02.08 America’s health A black comedy Release date: 13.02.08 After suffering care crisis doesn’t of sexual manners A down-and-dirty a breakdown, a only affect the set around musical set in the successful con- uninsured: others an arranged world of working- ductor rediscovers who dutifully pay wedding, with class New York his love of music their premiums an infamous final tells a story of a through coaching often get strangled scene featuring the husband’s journey a church choir. by bureaucratic titular Beast. into infidelity and red tape as well. redemption. U CARMEN VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS THE HOME SONG $34.95. Release date: 6.02.08 BLACK SHEEP ONCE LIMITED EDITION STORIES Georges Bizet’s $39.95. Director: Jonathan King $39.95. Director: Tony Ayres. Carmen is revisited Get ready for $44.95. Director: John Carney Release date: 13.02.08 in this contempo- The Violence Of Release date: 6.02.08 Based on writer/ rary version set in a The Lambs! When A musical gem director Tony modern-day inept environmen- about a Dublin Ayres’s own life, township in South tal activists release street musician’s this is an epic tale Africa, in a a mutant lamb collaboration with of unrequited love, thrilling synthesis from a laboratory a pretty Czech betrayal and secrets of African culture and classic onto a farm, thousands of sheep are pianist. Special that surround a European opera. turned into bloodthirsty predators. features: The Swell migrant family in Season CD, Australia in 1964. ANGEL-A DIRECTORS UNDER THE SKIN commentaries and featurettes. SUITE EDITION $24.95. Director: Carine Adler. Standard edition, $39.95 MY LEFT FOOT: 20TH $29.95. Director: Luc Besson Release date: 6.02.08 LA VIE EN ROSE ANNIVERSARY EDITION As he is about to When a family LIMITED EDITION $29.95. Director: Christy Brown. launch himself tragedy shatters her Release date: 6.02.08 from the Pont precarious world, $44.95. Director: Olivier Dahan. The brilliant Neuf, Andre beautiful, Release date: 6.02.08 portrayal of the notices an impetuous young Piaf’s life was a Irishman who impending suicide. Iris embarks on a battle: to sing, learned to use his With just 24 chilling journey of survive, and love ... one controllable hours to spare, promiscuous no regrets. extremity – his left the mysterious Angela leads him self-discovery, and self-annihilation. Special features foot – to become an on a life-changing mission. include CD accomplished artist and writer. BARTALI: THE IRON MAN soundtrack, TALES OF ORDINARY $29.95. Release date : 13.02.08 documentaries, deleted scenes. LADY CHATTERLEY MADNESS In 1948, when the Standard edition $39.95 $39.95. Director: Pascale Ferran $29.95. Director: Marco Ferreri. Italian Communist MANUAL OF LOVE Stripping Lady Release date: 6.02.08 Party leader is Chatterley of some Follow Charles nearly assassinated, $24.95. Director: Giovanni Veronesi of its mystique, Bukowski’s the Prime Minister The mysterious this film rediscov- alter-ego in his asks retired cycling nature of love is ers both the novel’s sordid, hard star Gino Bartali chronicled through originality and drinking travails to help by winning four intertwining the source of its through the seedy the Tour de France. episodes, each one durable appeal: flophouses, bars played out by a not salaciousness, and whorehouses BAD TIMING different couple. but candor. of 70s LA. Special features include $19.95. Release date: 6.02.08 The Films of Marco Ferreri. Set in 70s Vienna, ALPHA DOG COCAINE COWBOYS it’s the story of an $29.95. Director: Billy Corben TIME TO LEAVE erotic entangle- LIMITED EDITION ment between Our special price $24.95. Chronicling the $34.95. Director: Francois Ozon. drug influx of Release date: 6.02.08 psychoanalyst Dr Director: Nick Cassavetes the 70s and 80s A self-absorbed Alex Linden (Art Johnny is and the resulting fashion photogra- Garfunkel) and the double-crossed by gang wars and pher is suddenly beautiful, dissolute another dealer, violence, this diagnosed with Milena Flaherty (Theresa Russell). things spiral out of is an eye-opening terminal cancer Inspector Netusil (Harvey Keitel), control and an profile of the and brutally shuts is assigned to untangle the sordid impulsive Miami criminal everyone out of his affair when Milena is hospitalised kidnapping leads underworld. life, seeking solace in suspicious circumstances. to a shocking with his estranged grandmother. conclusion. 23 DVDs

AN ITALIAN ROMANCE DAYS THAT SHOOK $34.95. Dir: Carlo Mazzacurati. THE WORLD Release date: 06.02.08 $149.95 Set in Tuscany in Th ese are the Bad Timing 1936, Giovanni seismic moments A sensual odyssey from and Maria fi rst in history: human filmmaking firebrand met as teenagers. tragedies, Nicholas Roeg A chance en- scientifi c counter leads to breakthroughs an aff air, but the or era-defi ning complications of events that have their personal lives begin to take profoundly aff ected the world. their toll on the relationship. Contains 11 discs and over 30 hours of compelling viewing. THE ART OF TRAVEL $24.95. Director: Alain de Botton PALIN’S NEW EUROPE A philosophical $79.95. Release date: 6.02.08 look at the By road, rail, river, ubiquitous but sailboat and peculiar activity of donkey through Under the travelling ‘for some of Eastern Skin pleasure’, that Europe’s most dares to ask what mouth-watering “Samantha Morton the point of travel locations, Michael is extraordinary.” – might be – and modestly suggests journeys through a Entertainment Weekly how we could learn to be less Europe reborn, full of unexpected silently and guiltily miserable and forgotten delights. on our journeys. TIDELAND A FEW DAYS $34.95. Director: Terry Gilliam. IN SEPTEMBER Release date: 06.02.08 $29.95. Director: Santiago Amig- After her mother’s orena. Release date: 13.02.08 heroin overdose, French secret Jeliza-Rose is taken service agent Irene from the big city (Juliette Binoche) to a rural Tales of is on a mission to farmhouse by her Ordinary help an old spy father. Her see his children increasingly odd Madness one last time. behaviour includes communicating Adapted from the But she is trailed by a bizarre hit with Barbie doll heads and a cult novel by Charles man who makes constant calls beekeeper veil-wearing Dell. Bukowski to his psychoanalyst. FATELESS BREAKFAST ON PLUTO $34.95. Director: Lajos Koltai. $34.95. Director: Neil Jordan Release date: 06.02.08 Release date: 06.02.08 Based on the A wonderfully Nobel Prize-win- surreal tale to bring ning novel by Imre us this funny, Kertész, about his moving account of experiences as a a young man 14-year-old Jack enduring the trials deported from Kerouac: and tribulations he Budapest to the faces with a smile Nazi labour camps during the KING OF THE and unwavering faith in the Holocaust. BEATS inherent goodness in us all. The life and times of the THE NOTORIOUS revolutionary writer! JACK KEROUAC: BETTIE PAGE KING OF THE BEATS $34.95. Director: Mary Harron. $19.95. Release date: 6.02.08 Release date: 06.02.08 A moving Gretchen Mol stars chronicle of the as Bettie Page, one great beat poet’s of the world’s fi rst life, from Catholic sex icons, whose boyhood to his self fetish photographs destructive demise made her the Out now on DVD at all great DVD at the age of 47. target of a Senate retailers or buy buy online at investigation into www.umbrelladvd.com.au pornography.

24 DVDs

THE SOPRANOS SEASON WALKING WITH 6: FINAL EPISODES DINOSAURS $84.95. Release date : 13.02.08 $19.95. Release date: 6.02.08 Last year, Tony Journey back to Soprano cheated prehistory to walk, death. While Tony race, swim and fly muses about his with mankind’s second chance at distant ancestors life, he faces a – and see evolution myriad of stress- unfold before your inducing crises and comes to doubt eyes! Walking With Bartali the allegiances of those closest to Beasts and Walking With Monsters him. The clock is ticking. Time is also available at $19.95 each. Arguably the greatest Italian cyclist in history. running out. But for who? TURBO VOLUME ONE GIRO GIRO GIRO D’ITALIA TOUR DE D’ITALIA TOUR DE D’ITALIA $39.95 1936 FRANCE 1937 FRANCE 1946 1938 1948 THE LINE OF BEAUTY While the whole $29.95. Release date: 6.02.08 world knows about Adapted from Alan Inspector Rex, ´*LQR%DUWDOLWKHLQYLQFLEOHµ Hollinghurst’s Italy’s own canine While famous for having won the Giro D’Italia and Tour de Booker Prize- detective is lesser France before, and after the war, this feature length drama winning novel and known ... until also tells the tale of his heroism that took place in the firing set during the now! Travel with us hedonistic 1980s, to Tuscany, the home town of line. And importantly for passionate cycling fans, there’s it crawls deep Detective Inspector Luca Sepe, and plenty of material focusing on his rivalry with Fausto Coppi, under the skin of his border collie named Turbo. the young buck who challenged him. Thatcher’s Britain. Enjoy four feature length crime- Italian cycling history has many great tales, but this is solving feature films that have arguably the greatest of them all. THE BUDDHA screened on SBS. OF SUBURBIA $29.95. Release date: 6.02.08 JEEVES AND WOOSTER Naveen Andrews COMPLETE THIRD SERIES stars as an $34.95. Release date: 6.02.08 Anglo-Indian Episodes include teenager growing Safety in New York, up in 1970s Bertie Ensures Bicky suburban London. Can Continue to Both amusing and Live in Manhattan, disturbing, this Cyril and the story of sexual and political Broadway Musical. ['9' awakening is adapted from Hanif Kureishi’s bestseller. 287 LA PIOVRA SERIES 5 TWO FAT LADIES $49.95 12: $24.95. Release date: 6.02.08 Superintendent The Two Fat Ladies Corrado Cattani is tour Britain on dead. After his their vintage lover, the beautiful Triumph Thunder- judge Silvia Conti, bird, exploring recovers somewhat traditional cooking from the shock of and hearty meals his death, she for a generation decides to take vengeance and carry tired of restrictive diets and on his long standing battle against supermarket blandness. the Mafia.

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY: TIME LIFE’S LOST A HOLY WHOLLY CIVILIZATIONS HAPPY ENDING $49.95 $29.95 Never before could Dawn French you get this close to dons her cassock seven thousand and collar once years of history. more for two Dazzling spectacles very special final recreate rituals and episodes of one of events, from the

the BBC’s most bloodletting of Maya kings and a Mild Themes popular comedies. pharaoh’s last journey to the secret Infrequent mild coarse language pleasures of a Roman empress. ǁǁǁ͘ĂnjƚĞĐŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƚŝŽŶĂů͘ĐŽŵ͘ĂƵ

25 New from Hopscotch

GREEN WING Discover the surreal and whacky world of Green Wing – a brilliant UK comedy from the makers of Smack the Pony with an all-star line- up including Tamsin Grieg (Black Books). 3 disc-set with extras out Feb 6. $39.95

HUSTLE SERIES 1 From the makers of Spooks and Life on Mars comes the slick and sexy ‘Ocean’s Eleven-style’ BBC drama about a group of con artists. 2-disc set with extras. Screened on ABC TV. Out 6 Feb $29.95

BOYNTON BEACH CLUB An hilarious and touching film that celebrates growing old, this is a delightful comedy about embracing life and finding love at any age. Out 20 Feb $39.95

BEYOND THE GOLDEN COMPASS A documentary which delves deep into the otherwordly realm of the best-selling fantasy novel and feature film – The Golden Compass. OUT NOW $29.95

85'*9.5= +4:+8:'/43+4:

26 FROM ONE TO ANOTHER New Release CDs The Darling Downs $29.95 Two legends of CD OF THE MONTH Seeds; Billy Bragg’s fi rst new album Saddle Creek cohorts (Bright Eyes’ the Australian JUKEBOX in six years; Daniel Lanois returns Nate Walcott and members of Th e music scene Cat Power with Here is What is (and dare we Faint, Cursive and Tilly and Th e (Ron Peno – hope for another in-store!), Shelby Wall) to record a debut fi lled with front man of the $24.95 standard. $29.95 deluxe Lynne and Th e Black Crowes. alt.country/folk -pop that sounds a legendary Died À la Th e Covers lot like … um …. aahh … Bright Pretty and Kim Salmon – Th e Album of 2000, We have less Eyes. Th is album has created quite Scientists and Th e Surrealists) got Jukebox covers defi nite dates on the fuss within the UK’s music press together in 2005 to release the very tracks by plenty of others and is sure to be enjoyed by fans of good How Can I Forget Th is Heart musical legends – but we are any country tinged folk pop artists Of Mine. In 2007 they got back such as Nina anticipating new and … aahh ... Bright Eyes. together again to release the also Simone and James Brown. Th is is albums from a James Power is from very good From One To Another. Th e the fi rst album Cat Power, aka Chan number of Readings favourites in Readings St Kilda only diff erence is that Kim Salmon Marshall, has made with her band the next six months or so, has discovered the banjo. Recorded the Dirty Delta Blues and, as with including: Gillian Welch, Martha WATERSHED at Dave Graney’s Ponderosa Studio the last album (Th e Greatest), it sees Wainwright, M Ward, Death Cab KD Lang this is self-described ‘hillbilly jazz a departure from the gritty, For Cutie, Camille, Isobel $29.95. free-form tunes’. It’s just Kim and alt-country sound of old. Diehard Campbell, Morrissey, Roxy Music, Our special price $24.95 (Feb only) Ron; it’s raw but beautiful at the Cat Power fans will probably shake the Avalanches, Kings of Conve- KD Lang same time. DC their heads and ask: ‘what happened nience, the Breeders, Portishead, released one of Th e Darling Downs will perform to the queen of sad core?’ Th is is still Blur, the B-52s, Aimee Mann, the top fi ve songs from this album at Readings music for broken hearts and lonely Coldplay, India Arie, Doves, bestsellers in Carlton, 6pm on Friday February 29. wanderers, but with a cleaner, more Elbow, Moby, Weezer, U2 and Readings history stylised blues-soul edge. Th ere are Franz Ferdinand. ASK FORGIVENESS lots of surprises on this album. It in late 2004. th Bonnie Prince Billy opens with a down-beat version of So, make sure you keep your eyes Hymns of the 49 Parallel has sold $21.95 Frank Sinatra’s New York New York, on these pages to fi nd out about more than 2,500 copies in our At the end then slides into the Hank Williams all of these and more. stores and continues to win new of last year honky tonk classic Ramblin’ Man. fans every week. Watershed is her Will Oldham Ms Marshall sighs her way through fi rst album since then, and her fi rst grabbed Espers’ Silver Stallion (Th e Highwaymen) Pop album of newly written songs since lead vocalist and I Believe in You (Bob Dylan) 2000. It is also the fi rst album KD CIRCULAR SOUNDS Meg Baird, with her usual whiskey and has produced herself. I would Kelley Stoltz cellist Margie Wienk and producer/ cigarettes voice. She joins legendary suggest to anyone who bought that $24.95 engineer Greg Weeks to record this ladies Billie, Janis and Joni with album that they give Watershed a San Francisco’s mini album consisting of seven covers of Don’t Explain, Woman Left good listen; it will take a little while Kelley Stoltz has of his favourite covers and one Lonely and Blue, all of which are to sink in (and after all Hymns had been making original. Although some of the cov- stand-out tracks. Th e deluxe edition the advantage of being an album of quietly brilliant ers may seem a little left of centre comes with a fetching silver foil classic Canadian songs) but her pop master- (such as metal icon Glen Danzig’s gatefold cover and fi ve bonus tracks. songwriting skills are still there and pieces for some Am I Demon?), with the help of Esther Van Doornum her voice is still great. Defi nitely a years now. And on Circular Sounds, both Wienk and Baird’s delicate is from Readings Carlton grower. DC his latest album, he is once again touches, Oldham delivers the songs releasing some of the best pop RAIN in his signature refl ective poignancy SPECIAL FEATURE songs since Th e Beach Boys were Joe Jackson that is sure to keep Bonnie Prince NEW ALBUMS TO LOOK around. He records at home, and CD & DVD (DVD includes live Billy’s legion of subjects coming FORWARD TO IN 2008 in a world-fi rst, has off -set the performances, interview) $29.95 back for more. JP carbon from his electricity use to It’s been more Th ere are plenty of records to keep record this album. A long-time than 20 years LIVE AT UNION CHAPEL everyone interested this year. music critic’s favourite, it is since Joe Jackson Damien Rice Apart from certainly worth checking it out if was what might $24.95 those reviewed you are into Elliott Smith, Brian be called a Anyone lucky on these pages, Wilson or your basic slightly house-hold enough to have coming in late off -kilter pop genius. name. He was pretty huge in the seen Damien February are Dave Clarke is from Readings late 70’s & early 80’s (think Look Rice in a live new albums Carlton Sharp or Night and Day) and then setting knows from: My Disco, Goldfrapp, Jack seemingly his muse left him to what a truly Johnson, Lior, Sia, Magnetic Fields. FALLING OFF THE release album after album which spellbinding experience it can be. A Philip Glass/Leonard Cohen LAVENDER BRIDGE failed to fi nd an audience. Here he Th is set, which was recorded in joint production, Book of Longing, Lightspeed Champion is joined by the members of his 2003, is a brief glimpse into his is being performed at the Adelaide $29.95 original band and it all sounds musical vision – and, as live Festival this year. After touring with Bright Eyes last pretty good. Th e piano-based pop recordings go, it’s a small triumph. year, Dev Hynes, 21-year-old guitar- music is not the thing it once was, Due to the time of recording, the Expected in March are albums ist for London’s indie dance-punk’s but if you are at all feeling nostalgic set features songs from his fi rst from Melburnian Laura Jean (and Test Icicles, has taken Bright Eyes’ for that time this is certainly a record O and some choice covers. a confi rmed in-store on Friday producer (Mike Mogis) and some record for you. DC Sometime collaborator and muse March 6); Nick Cave & Th e Bad of Bright Eyes’ bandmates and Lisa Hannigan dazzles on the Nina 27 CDs

Simone cover of Be My Husband RUFUS DOES JUDY all three big singles were really and the vocal interchange between Rufus Wainwright soundtracks to the videos anyway. Blues her and Rice on the non-album 2 CD set. $30.95 The associated music films that track Baby Sister is mesmerising. were made to support three of the KING HOKUM Recorded over C.W. Stoneking Although a live album never quite two nights at singles from the record and their $25.95 manages to fully capture the magic Carnegie Hall in importance as marketing tools is so No, not a new release, but King of actually being there, this should New York in well documented that we needn’t Hokum has not been available for keep fans happy until this 2006, this is really discuss them here, though about three months now and we wonderful performer graces Rufus Wain- their tightly choreographed wanted to make sure you all knew our shores once more. wright’s song-for-song homage to twentieth-century Broadway style it was back in our shops. Charles Declan Murphy is from Judy Garland’s legendary perfor- was an important element in William Stoneking’s album has Readings St Kilda mances at the same venue in 1961. Michael Jackson’s distancing been a great success since it was Backed by a 36-piece orchestra, himself from the sex of soul that he initially released in September SO FRENCHY Rufus is having a gay old time would explore more and more 2006. His unique voice and ter- SO CHIC 2008 reliving the career of a huge gay through his voice. But any rific backing band has made this a Various icon. Not afraid of the possible appearance of cynicism is purely word-of-mouth hit. Think Deep 2CD SET $35.95 career implications (this doesn’t retrospective – no one had done South in America circa the 1920s. Now well exactly scream mainstream and I anything like this before, no one Close your eyes and forget that this established as an imagine the record company were had any idea it would work. is music made by a Melbournian in excellent annual aghast when first told of it), Michael Jackson could – and did the twenty-first century. DC compilation of Wainwright puts in a fantastic – make timeless music. groovy French performance and will likely find he Mark Luffman is from tunes, So has created an unlikely hit. SG Readings Malvern Frenchy So Chic 2008 is another Jazz fine way to introduce yourselves to THRILLER MOONSHINE SESSIONS DUENDE: many previously unknown French 25TH ANNIVERSARY Martin Solal Presents THE ROMANTIC PROJECT artists. This volume has more of an Michael Jackson $30.95 Joe Chindamo ‘indie’ feel to it and has made an $33.95. $39.95 deluxe edition Martin Solal $31.95 excellent soundtrack in my office Hard to is a French This is indeed this past week. Highlights include imagine, but for composer, DJ/ a romantic Charlotte Gainsbourg, Louise a teenage producer and project. Chin- Vertigo and Benjamin Biolay. listener today founder of the damo explores a Sid Grane is from Readings Carlton Michael Gotan Project. set of originals Jackson’s Thriller One of the biggest names in lounge and standards SHIPWRECKED is buried deeper in the mists of music and he has gone country. The which reflect his Latin heritage. AT THE ROYAL OAK time than Elvis Presley’s ‘56 Moonshine Sessions was recorded The album is characterised by (SOUNDVAULT) sessions were for me when I started in Nashville with some excellent passionate, melodic compositions, Milk buying music. Will this reissue be musicians. Included in the original which occasionally remind one of $29.95 as significant a pointer and as copies is a DVD featuring a ‘making the duende inherent in memorable What a revelatory a discovery as RCA’s of’ doco and some unreleased extra Ennio Morricone themes. Chin- wonderful two-volume reissue of those Sun tracks. Definitely some tongue-in- damo has gathered a fine ensemble blend of ol’ sessions were for me? There are cheek action going on, but it would of musicians, and one could say the time folk, a common qualities which make the appear that Solal is paying tribute perfect instrumental combination, tinge of jazz comparison a little less odious than to, rather than poking fun of, coun- to interpret these compositions: and Anglo roots it may appear. Both artists had to try music. SG Doug de Vries (guitar), Nigel all wrapped up in one fun-filled push against institutionalised MacLean (violin), and Sam Anning gumbo. The journey Milk takes us racism– redneck radio for the first ORCHARD (bass). Chindamo performs these on is unashamedly Australian, full King, redneck MTV for the second Lizz Wright compositions with the flair and of stories that affect the common – and both managed to do so by $29.95 virtuosity which have made him person in whatever period they creating an unclassifiable and Lizz Wright is such a recognisable pianist in set their songs in. Inspired by unique sound with the help of one of the finest Australia jazz music today. the band’s wide ranging travelling visionary producers. And both American Michael Wallace is from experiences, the result is worthy managed to make a uniquely singers of the Readings Carlton of a listen. And once you enter androgynous asexualised and last ten years. the world of Milk, you get caught sophisticated version of source Her two prior LITTLE CLAPS up in a world full of pirates, songs music supposedly carnal and albums were both excellent (Salt in Andrea Keller Quartet of love and loss, Tasmania and its simple, and suffer at the hands of 2003, Dreaming Wide Awake in $29.95 wilderness, the gold rush and other purist critics as a result. And both 2005), but I think she has managed A group of new stories that capture snippets of would sell squillions of records. But to surpass those with this stunning compositions by our past and present. A staple at of course, Thriller’s reputation album. Her other albums have Keller perfectly folk festivals and pubs around really rests on supra-musical mixed lush pop and jazz; Orchard realised by her Australia, Milk will be playing ground. What it does demonstrate has more of a soul feel and her long standing at our Port Melbourne store in is an unfailing ability to give an voice is just magnificent. I was musical February. Come along and enjoy. unknown public exactly what it given a copy of this just before companions Eugene Ball, Ian You’ll have a ball! didn’t realise it wanted. And as Christmas and it was the most Whitehurst, and Joe Talia. Little Lou Fulco is from soon as it got it, it wanted more listened-to CD at my place over the Claps is a great small-group jazz Readings Port Melbourne and more of it and Michael Jackson past month. Definitely a recom- album. Keller’s musical sensibilities made sure there was plenty to go mended release. DC seem to float somewhere between round. For perhaps the first time, European classical and American buying the music wasn’t enough -

28 CDs jazz. Lyrical compositions which mistaking the energy and commit- weave engaging melodies are ment The Blind Boys bring to their matched by equally absorbing music. This is invigorating stuff. improvisations. Little Claps was Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton nominated for best jazz album at the ARIA awards in 2007. AFRICAN VIRTUOSOS Michael Wallace is The Classic Guinean from Readings Carlton Guitar Group $31.95 MEETING OF An extraordi- THE WATERS nary recording Mike Nock Project seeing the light $29.95 of day for the Nock’s latest first time on release contrasts CD, featuring his other 2007 the acoustic guitar playing of two release, the of the hottest African guitarists SPREAD THE LOVE IN 2008 ARIA award- ever, Addouaye and Sekou Diabate. with The 4th volume from the winning Most of these recordings are from a succesful So Frenchy So Chic Duologue album. While Duologue vinyl release from 1983, and the series, featuring the freshest documents, in intimate setting, sound from France’s diverse final track is an astounding 17 musical landscape: Charlotte Nock the performer, Meeting of the minute duet from 1970. This is all Gainsbourg, Daphne, $olal, Waters features Nock’s abilities as a beautiful stuff, with hints of Latin Ultra Orange & Em annuelle, composer and band-leader. Similar and flamenco, but unmistak- Keren Ann, $olal … to his 2004 Big Small Band live ably African, with rippling, flowing recording, Meeting of the Waters melodies and improvisations. If features Nock’s compositions for a you enjoyed that recent African nine-piece ensemble. The ensemble acoustic guitar/kora classic In the consists of a mix of leading Sydney Heart of the Moon, this is could be and Melbourne jazz musicians. for you: much more dynamic, but Featuring compelling ensemble equally beautiful. PB writing, together with fine solo contributions, this album is highly recommended. MW SPECIAL FEATURE Mike Nock won the ARIA best NEW IRISH RELEASES jazz album 2007 for Duologue, his Lots of very good new Irish releases album with American saxophonist this month. All is forgiven after Dave Liebman. Dervish’s debacle at Eurovision ;>AI:GBJH>8EG:H:CIH/A>K:6C99>G:8I;GDB;G6C8: last year with Travelling Show, a great new CD that kicks off with a Folk & World stomping version of Cher’s Gypsies Tramps and Thieves, given the full DOWN IN Celtic treatment. As usual, Cathy NEW ORLEANS Jordan’s voice is sweet and gorgeous Blind Boys of Alabama and the band is in top form on $29.95 those intricate song arrangements With a career and high energy tune-sets. spanning some 60 years, The Patrick Street return with On Blind Boys of the Fly with one line-up change Alabama chose – sadly, we see the departure of to record in Jackie Daly, but happily John Carty New Orleans with some of that (flute, fiddle and banjo) steps in. city’s finest musicians, like Allen Andy Irvine weighs in with a ver- Toussaint, The Preservation Hall sion of that Aussie Depression tale, Jazz Band and The Hot 8 Brass St Small. Matt Molloy, and John Band. The Blind Boys are never Carty ( flute, fiddle) deliver a really afraid to try new things, whether cranking collection of tunes on it’s been to record with the likes of Pathway to the Well, with dynamic Ben Harper, or add elements of guitar support from Arty McG- hip-hop, or find inspiration in lynn. songs by artists like Tom Waits. Hopefully, by the time you read This band have worked very hard this, the long-awaited new Martin over the years to bring gospel Hayes/Dennis Cahill CD Welcome sounds to a wider audience and Here Again will be out. I haven’t have succeeded, particularly with heard this one yet, but considering their last three or four albums. it’s been 10 years since their last Obviously, this time around the studio recording, I can’t wait. music has a more jazzy/R & B / PB filtermusic.com.au New Orleans sound, but there’s no

29 Liszt and Chopin, and is notable DVORAK: RUSALKA Classical CDs particularly for its thrilling finale, Opera Australia, Cheryl which is marked by its strong Pol- glue that gels everything together is Barker, Richard Hickox CLASSICAL SPECIALS ish character. The second concerto of course the playing of Benedetti: a Chandos Chan. 10449. OF THE MONTH was also appreciated by contem- graceful and captivating performer. 3 CD Set. $69.95 MARIA CALLAS: porary critics for its imaginative Phil Richards is from Opera THE COMPLETE STUDIO use of Polish themes. Both works Readings Carlton Australia’s RECORDINGS have very demanding moments and performance of Jonathan Plowright is definitely up Maria Callas NOCTURNE: Rusalka was to the task at hand. This is another EMI. 3959182. 70 CDs. CHOPIN CELLO SONATA recorded live by fine addition to this wonderful Was $139.95. Now $99.95 TRANSCRIPTIONS FOR Chandos at the series from Hyperion. PR A must for all devotees of Maria CELLO AND PIANO Sydney Opera House in March Callas or opera in general. Once this Truls Mork 2007. The Libretto was inspired by limited edition sells out, that’s it! So HERZ: PIANO MUSIC Virgin Classics. 3857842. $30.95 Hans Christian Anderson’s The don’t pass up this fantastic bargain. Philip Martin With this new disc, Truls Mork re- Little Mermaid. This is Rusalka’s Hyperion. CDA67606. $33.95 turns to the world of chamber mu- story of human desire, self-sacrifice HARMONIA MUNDI 50TH Henri Herz was one of the most sic, a genre he is acknowledged for and the search for enlightenment. ANNIVERSARY BOX SET fashionable musical personalities of worldwide. As we know, Chopin The title role of Rusalka is played his day, performing to large audi- Harmonia Mundi composed almost exclusively for by Australian-born Cheryl Barker, ences throughout Europe, and tour- HMX290825079. 30 CDs. the piano, but the other instrument performing the role for the first ing America to great acclaim. His Was $149.95 now $99.95 that really interested him was the time. Consistently this recording music was so popular that he even A stunning collection from the cello. Truls Mork and pianist Kath- demonstrates why conductor outsold the works of Chopin and great Harmonia Mundi label. ryn Stott work wonderfully well Richard Hickox and his cast of Liszt. By the early 1850s, however, Great performances, performers together. The reading of the Cello Barker, co-stars Rosario La Spina, his popularity had waned. But times and fantastic sound make this set Sonata is worth the price of the disc Elizabeth Whitehouse, Bruce change again and this very enjoyable irresistible. alone. Highly recommended. PR Martin and Anne-Marie Owens music is worth our attention. The won deserved plaudits from the main work here and also Herz’s best ETERNAL LIGHT TCHAIKOVSKY Australian press while playing at known is the Variations on Non più Elin Manahan Thomas SYMPHONY NO 6, the Sydney Opera House last mesta from Rossini’s La Cenerentola UCJ Cat No. 4765970 ROMEO AND JULIET March. This CD set is offered at a Op 60. This dazzling and demand- Was $29.95. Now $19.95 OVERTURE-FANTASY special introductory price of three Debut solo ing work is handled with great CDs for the price of two. CK Paavo Jarvi & Cincinatti aplomb by Philip Martin as are the album from Symphony Orchestra Welsh soprano other pieces on this disc. PR APPARITION: Telarc. CD80681. $31.95 Elin Manahan- HENRY PURCELL/ Paavo Jarvi and The Cincinatti Thomas. VICTORIOUS LOVE: GEORGE CRUMB Symphony Orchestra are in first- A collection HENRY PURCELL Christine Schäfer class form on this new recording of popular arias reworked to cater Carolyn Sampson (so- of Tchaikovsky’s sixth symphony, (soprano), Eric for a wider audience, this album prano), Laurence Cum- the Pathetique. It is a wonderful Schneider (piano) is a fantastic showcase for the mings, Elizabeth Kenny, performance, beautifully balanced Onyx. 4021. $29.95 stunning voice possessed by between sensitivity and swagger. In Anne-Marie Lasla, Sarah Apparition brings together for the Manahan-Thomas. this recording Jaavi pays particular Sexton, Andrea Morris, second time the outstanding part-

attention to the second movement, Jane Rogers nership of soprano Christine Schäfer VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: which is often treated as a sort BISSACD1536. $34.95 and accompanist Eric Schneider. LARK ASCENDING of stop-gap between the first and In Victorious Love, soprano Carolyn Here they juxtapose the songs of & JOHN TAVENER: third movements in other record- Sampson, with her extraordinarily Henry Purcell with contemporary SONG FOR ATHENE, ings that I have heard. But in the beautiful voice, brings a judicious American composer George Crumb DHYANA, LALISHRI hands of Paavo Jarvi, it’s like you selection of 19 Purcell songs both (1929 - ), resulting in a more Nicola Benedetti, LPO, are hearing this section for the first well known and obscure. The conceptual, theatrical, and modern Andrew Litton time. Coupled with the Romeo and album’s title is taken from a line approach to the material. This is DG. 4766198. $29.95 Juliet Overture-Fantasy, this is one of the disc’s opening song, Sweeter achieved by programming the songs Since being named BBC’s Young disc that should be added to your than Roses. Here, both singer and not chronologically but thematically Musician of the Year in 2004 the collection. Telarc’s big recording is supporting players set the tone and interspersing the songs with career of Nicola Benedetti has wonderful – an aural feast. PR for what is an outstanding recital, short, spoken sonnets by Shake- been on an upward path and the showcasing Purcell’s music to its speare, thus creating a narrative. It release of this, her third recording, MELCER PIANO utmost brilliance. The accompani- puts Purcell in a completely differ- will only enhance her reputation. CONCERTOS 1 & 2 ments range from a single lute ent light from the Sampson disc and The combination of John Tavener Jonathan Plowright, or spinet to string quartet with is intriguing and rewarding. This and Ralph Vaughan Williams may BBC Scottish Symphony continuo. At all times, one is aware is only the second time Crumb’s Apparition (scored for voice and seem odd, but works really well. Orchestra, Christoph of the player’s involvement in the One word unites the works on this amplified piano) has been recorded. Konig meaning of the texts and the nu- album, and that is ‘ethereal’. The ance of the music. I can’t recom- Having not heard the Crumb songs Hyperion. CDA67630. $33.95 music of Sir John Tavener has been mend this Purcell recital highly before it was quite a revelation, in Hyperion’s celebrated Romantic described more than once as having enough and have already picked it particular the Three Early Songs. Piano Concerto series reaches a celestial feel to it, a ‘spiritual qual- as one of my favourites for 2008. The stunning card box packaging volume 44. This disc includes two ity that strikes deep into the soul’. Catherine Koerner is from is contained within a frosted plastic prize-winning concertos written in And Ralph Vaughan William’s ‘Lark Readings Hawthorn sleeve. The artwork shows Schäfer in Ascending’ works beautifully along- the 1890s by the Polish composer- wedding dress among the bones of side the Tavener compositions. The pianist Henryk Melcer. The first dinosaurs at the National Museum concerto is written in the style of of Natural History in Paris. CK 30 One of Australia’s favourite films of 2007 available on DVD from February 13 ++++ “A charming, disarmingly frank, robustly opinionated and sweetly tuneful film” Paul Byrnes, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

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31 peter carey his illegal self

The brilliant new novel from Australia’s literary master peter carey Yours to hold. Yours to own.