JUNE 2008 / FREE

BROWSE AND BUY ONLINE, ANDWWW.READINGS.COM.AU CHECK EVENT DETAILS AT Readings Monthly

9/52).$%0%.$%.4"//+ -53)#!.$$6$.%73,%44%2s%6%.43s.%72%,%!3%3s2%6)%73 . SEE OUR FEATURE, P4 . SEE OUR FEATURE, THE BOAT COVER IMAGE FROM NAM LE’S NEW BOOK

Nam Le on TheBoat >> p 4

June book, CD and DVD new releases. More inside >>

Rockferry. Duffy Mahler Complete

$29.95 >> p27 Symphonies and Songs. Sir Simon Rattl. 14 CD Set The Household Devil May Care Climate Code Red I’m Not There $39.95 >> p30 Guide to Dying Sebastian Faulks, David Spratt Limited Edition Debra Adelaide (writing as Ian & Philip Sutton Dir. Todd Haynes

$32.95 $27.95 Fleming) $27.95 >> p16 $44.95 >> p25

>> p7 $39.95 >> p12

June event highlights. More book & music events inside >> SHAUN TAN GEORGE SOPHIE AT READINGS MEGALOGENIS CUNNINGHAM HAWTHORN AT READINGS AT READINGS HAWTHORN CARLTON

!,,3(/03/0%.$!93sCARLTON 309 LYGON 34sHAWTHORN 701 GLENFERRIE RD 9819 1917 s MALVERN 185 GLENFERRIE RD 9509 1952 s PORT MELBOURNE 253 BAY ST 9681 9255 s ST KILDA 112 ACLAND ST 9525 3852 s WWW.READINGS.COM.AU s EMAIL [email protected] Readings Events in June

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.

2 IAN KLAUS 7 MARK CARTHEW journey through World War II 14 BRUCE ATHERTON Europe. They have escaped from Inspired by the Mark’s latest One night when I was lying in my the Nazis, but how long can they volunteerism of children’s picture warm and cosy bed, A shadow at survive when there are so many so many young book The Gobbling the window stood the hair upon my people ready to hand them over for Americans after Tree (New Frontier, head. I grabbed my biggest teddy bear a reward? This event is supported 9/11, Ian Klaus, a HB, $24.95) is a and lifted up the blind, And what I by the Melbourne Jewish Museum. 26-year-old Rhodes beautiful read- saw was so unreal it nearly blew my Wednesday 11 June, 6.30pm, Scholar, found aloud story. Like mind! Thus begins the story of The Readings Hawthorn. Free, himself, in the Five Little Owls, Pumpkin Eater from Pondicherry, a please book on 9819 1917. spring of 2005, in Arbil, the largest The Gobbling Tree is a book to voracious creature known to travel city in Iraqi Kurdistan. There, in the treasure. Join us for the story and considerable distances for a decent 12 thick of war, Klaus spent a semester for songs with Mark. Suitable for GEORGE feed of pumpkins. But when the teaching US history and English young children. Saturday 7 MEGALOGENIS beast turns up late at night in at Salahaddin University. But what June, 2pm, Readings Port Join Barry Cassidy, Grandad’s vegie patch, the young started as a journey in search of Melbourne. Free, but please host of the ABC narrator must act quickly if he is knowledge for his students became book on 9681 9255. Insiders program going to save his Grandad’s prize a road of discovery for the author and regular Insiders pumpkins. Written by Melbourne as well. Elvis is Titanic:Tales from 7 SHAUN TAN contributors author Bruce Atherton and il- the Other Iraq (UWA Press, PB, Meet Shaun Tan George Megalo- lustrated by Ben Redlich, this is $26.965) is his book. Monday as he talks about genis and Annabel Crabbe as they a fabulous fable about monstrous 2 June, 6.30pm, Readings his art, his ideas discuss Australian politics and the greed and childhood ingenuity. Carlton. Free, but please book and his beautiful new updated edition of George’s Join us for a story reading and a on 9347 6633. new book book The Longest Decade(Scribe, morning tea of muffins. Saturday Tales from PB, $29.95). ‘[George Megalogenis] 14 June, 10am, Readings Port 3 GROWING UP ASIAN Outer Suburbia (A&U, HB, $35). has done something quite remark- Melbourne. Free, but please IN AUSTRALIA A rare and wonderful opportunity able ... This book is a brilliant book by calling 9681 9255. Join the editor of for the whole family. primer for those who wish to Growing up Asian Saturday 7 June, 2pm, understand the Keating years 17 ANN GALBALLY and Australia under Howard.’ in Australia (Black Readings Hawthorn. IN CONVERSATION WITH — Weekend Australian. Inc., PB, $27.95), Free, please book on 9819 1917. CORRIE PERKIN Alice Pung and Thursday 12 June, 6.30pm, Journalist Corrie Readings Hawthorn. local contributors 9 AUSTRALIAN Perkin will talk Free, please book on 98191 1917. Tom Cho, Tony Ayres and INSTITUTE OF with Ann Galbally Shalini Akhil, as they discuss this INTERNATIONAL about Ann’s new 13 PETER COMBE irreverent collection with Triple J’s AFFAIRS FORUM book A Remarkable John Safran. Alice Pung is a Join us for a glass of wine Meet Peter Combe, famous for Friendship (MUP, writer and lawyer. Her bestselling and a discussion about his songs Wash Your Face in Orange HB, $49.95) is a memoir Unpolished Gem won international issues Juice, Juicy Juicy Green Grass and fascinating story the 2007 Newcomer of the Year affecting Australia. This month, Newspaper Mama, as he signs about John Peter Russell and award and was short-listed for a we will discuss The Bottom Billion copies of his new DVD/CD Live Vincent Van Gogh. Both were number of awards, including the by Paul Collier (OUP, HB, $44.95). at the Jive. Come along and revisit foreigners in the competitive art NSW Premier’s Literary Award This book covers global poverty, your childhood, or bring the kids world of Paris in the 1880s, and and the Victorian Premier’s Liter- which Collier argues is actually fall- and introduce them to this icon over the next two years, both would ary Award. Tom Cho is a writer ing quite rapidly. The real crisis lies of Australian children’s music. discover a passion for colour whose stories have appeared in in a group of about 50 failing states, Friday 13 June, 6.15pm, painting. With a supporting cast Readings Hawthorn. HEAT and the Best Australian Sto- the bottom billion, whose problems including Gauguin, Rodin, Monet Free, please book on 9819 1917. ries series. Tony Ayres wrote and defy traditional approaches to al- and Matisse, this is a journey directed the feature film The leviating poverty. He contends that through the struggles and failures, 14 Home Song Stories (2007) and these failed states pose the core chal- HARVEST LAUNCH plots and intrigues of artistic life. directed Walking on Water (2002). lenge of the developing world in Harvest is a new Melbourne-based Tuesday 17 June, 6.30pm, He has written and directed the twenty-first century. Monday quarterly magazine for writers and Readings Carlton. numerous television dramas, short 9 June, 6.30pm, Readings readers. It publishes fiction, non- Free, book on 9347 6633. films and documentaries. Carlton. Free, no need to book. fiction, poetry and art from writers Shalini Akhil is a writer who has and artists around Australia. Harvest 19 ARNOLD ZABLE dabbled in stand-up comedy. 11 MORRIS GLEITZMAN magazine is based on the premise IN CONVERSATION WITH She has had work published in Morris Gleitzman is one of Austra- that writing is a craft, and our CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS Meanjin, Girls Night In 4, the lia’s most successful authors. His editors work closely with emerging Arnold Zable will talk about his Sleepers Almanac and The Age. book Once is the story of friend- artists to help them develop their new novel Sea of Many Returns with Her first novel is The Bollywood ship and survival in a world of war work. Harvest have said: ‘We’re Christos Tsiolkas, author of Loaded Beauty (Penguin, PB, $22.95). and terror. Critically acclaimed, enthusiastic about literature, new and Dead Europe. Sea of Many Tuesday 3 June, 6.30pm, Once also became a bestseller and writing and independent media. Returns (Text, PB, $32.95) explores Sidney Myer Asia Centre, has won awards from adults and But most importantly, we love a the nostalgia of those who’ve left Melbourne University, Sw- children, both here and overseas. good read.’ Saturday 14 June, their homeland for the promise of anston St, Asialink. Free, but Then continues the deeply moving 3pm, Readings Carlton. a new life. It is a is a profound please book on 9347 6633. story of Felix and Zelda and their Free, no need to book. meditation on displacement, nos- 2 talgia and exile – a story that that Free, but please reserve a seat, by affirms the enduring resonance of sending an email to Asialink Events SPECIAL EVENT SERIES the Odyssey for voyagers of all times. at [email protected] THE ALFRED DEAKIN LECTURES Thursday 19 June, 6.30pm, with ‘Passage to India’ in the header. Readings is proud to be the official Resilience Rules. A session on the Readings Carlton. Free, but booksellers at this year’s Deakin possibility of preserving the best in please book on 9347 6633. 28 BOB GRAHAM Lecture series. The 2008 series our society as the planet changes. Start your school ‘From DNA to Deep Space’ is 2pm, BMW Edge, Federation 21 GARTH NIX holidays with Bob. taking place in Melbourne and Square. Tuesday 10 June. We are excited to have Garth Nix Bob will be regional Victoria from Wednesday Planning Cities of the Future. in the shop. Garth, best known for reading from his 4 June to Sunday 15 June. The This session considers new think- his wonderful Keys to the King- new gorgeous sessions will discuss important ing in urban design. 6pm, BMW dom series will be there to chat and book, How to Heal contemporary political, scien- Edge, Federation Square sign with all. Saturday 21 June, a Broken Wing tific and ethical issues. To see a Wednesday 11 June 2pm, Readings Hawthorn. (Walker, HB, full program, visit www.deakin Cities, Nations, Trains & Transport. Free, please book on 9819 1917. $27.95) and will let us know how lectures.net he created such a wonderful book. Discussion on the problem Please Note: Admission to the 24 SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM A rare opportunity to spend time of transport in our cities. 12:30pm, Alfred Deakin Lectures is free. Supper Room, Melb. Town Hall. IN CONVERSATION WITH with this much-loved author. All Federation Square lectures are MICHELLE DE KRETSER Saturday 28 June Hawthorn: New Models for the Nation of General Admission Only - No Sophie Cunning- 10am Carlton: 12pm Port the Future. How much should Bookings. Doors open 30 minutes ham’s spellbinding Melbourne: 2.30pm. competition be allowed in public prior to the advertised start time. new novel Bird This is a free event, but please services? 6pm, BMW Edge, (Text, PB, $32.95) book at your shop. Wednesday 4 June Federation Square The Geography of Hope. is an exquisite Thursday 12 June Chris Turner will take us on an depiction of the The Nation: Thirsting for illustrated guide through his book, equivocal bond between mother Knowledge. A session on new ideas Coming up in July The Geography of Hope: and daughter, and the search for on how we can communicate and a Tour of the World we Need. identity through Buddhism. Sophie learn. 6pm, Costa Hall, Deakin 3 6pm, Founders Theatre, is the editor of the literary journal, CHLOE HOOPER University Geelong. Meanjin. Her first novel, Geogra- IN CONVERSATION WITH University of Ballarat. The Nation and Beyond: phy, was shortlisted for the 2004 SALLY WARHAFT Thursday 5 June The New Philanthropy. With Ru- Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Sally Warhaft, Exploring Possibilities. pert Myer, Sir Gustav Nossal and Best First Book (SE Asia and South editor of The Professor John Armstrong will Professor John Armstrong. 6pm, Pacific). Tuesday 24 June, Monthly, will talk share his view that innovation BMW Edge, Fed. Square 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. with Chloe depends on a willingness to Free, please book on 9347 6633. Hooper about explore possibilities without being Friday 13 June Chloe’s new book, sure of the results. 6pm, BMW The Nation: Thirsting for 26 READINGS IN The Tall Man. Chloe’s first novel, Edge, Federation Square. Knowledge. 6pm, Albury PSYCHOANALYSIS A Child’s Book of True Crime, was Convention & Performing Friday 6 June This event – presented a New York Times Notable Book Arts Centre, Albury The Brain. with the Deakin Masters and was shortlisted for the Orange The New Internationalism. Professor Barbara Sahakian will Program in Psycho- Prize. The Tall Man (Viking, PB, How should Australia relate to examine recent research into analytic Studies – is part of our $32.95) tells the tragic story of other nations, especially those neuroscience and the resulting regular series discussing the latest Cameron Doomadgee’s death in in this region, as those nations ethical issues. 6pm, BMW Edge, publications in psychoanalysis. the Palm Island police station develop and grow? 6pm, Federation Square. Details of this month’s speaker, and the subsequent trial of Senior BMW Edge, Federation Square and the book to be discussed, will Sergeant Chris Hurley. Chloe’s Running Man: A Demonstration be posted on our website: www. early articles on Palm Island, for of Findings. David Pledger will Saturday 14 June readings.com.au. Please join us the Monthly magazine, won a show some of what happens Innovation: A Global View. for a glass of wine and informal Walkley Award. Thursday 3 July, to the brain when the body is A session on new ideas to reduce discussion. Thursday 26 June, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. subject to the stress of physical greenhouse gas emissions, make 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, please book on 9347 6633 endurance work. 8:30pm, BMW better digital communications, Edge, Federation Square. and new uses of technology. 2pm, 26 BMW Edge, Federation Square PASSAGE TO INDIA 4 ME AND THE Saturday 7 June A book club journey through GROWNUPS The Body. Dr Ajay Royyuru and The Deakin Debate: ‘That Climate contemporary India, presented Battling the Mountains, the Dr Peter Currie will investigate Change is the Only Issue.’ Come by Readings and Asialink. Explore Sky and the Sea is the debut CD human evolution. How are we along and have your firmest belief contemporary India with our from Me and the Grownups. evolving, and why? 2pm, BMW challenged - it’s good for you! experts who will share and lead ‘Having won hearts and fans in Edge, Federation Square. 4:30pm, BMW Edge, Fed. Square. discussions on their favourite Melbourne after only 6 months The Limits on Innovation. books. Passage to India will review Sunday 15 June of gigging, [these] three young mu- Dr Roger Brownsword will discuss books monthly on Indian modern Beyond the Planet: Space Travel sicians retreated into studio, and new developments in neuroscience history, society and foreign politics. Imagined. A barrier-breaking emerged with a 65-minute album and biomedicine. 4:30pm, BMW This month Dr Pradeep Taneja journey into the future of space that documents their quest for Edge, Federation Square will be discussing In Service of exploration. 2pm, BMW Edge, originality, perfection and balance.’ Federation Square. Emergent India: A Call to Honour. —The Moshguide Sunday 8 June Thursday 26 June, 6.30pm Friday 4 July, 6.30pm, The Art of Evolution. The Voice of the Future. Yasuko Hiraoka Myer Room, Readings Hawthorn. Free, A special exploration of the work Gives the last word to the younger Sidney Myer Asia Centre, but please book on 9819 1917. of Charles Darwin. 11am, voices. 4:30pm, BMW Edge, University of Melbourne. ACCA, Southbank. Federation Square.

3 This article proudly supported by Copyright Agency Limited

June Special Feature NO PLACE THAT’S STRANGE TO US Cate Kennedy interviews Nam Le, author of The Boat

Melbourne-born writer Nam Le is causing an international sensation with his first book, The Boat, attracting a rave review from The New York Times star reviewer Michikio Kakutani, using words like ‘astonishing’, ‘powerful and remarkable’. In the latest of Readings’ series of features spotlighting new and emerging Australian writers (sponsored by the Copyright Agency Limited), fellow short story writer Cate Kennedy talks to Nam Le.

N am Le’s ambitious debut collection, The Boat, is made up of seven stories that illustrate such a dazzling virtuosity with narrative voice, you start to wonder just how many lives this barely 30-year- old Vietnamese-Australian au- thor has had. An ex-corporate That’s because Le is an author us. Fiction makes strange even he didn’t write the collection lawyer, he has been recognised who can take you anywhere – the places we think we know.’ merely to set the bar chal- in the US with several awards Hiroshima in the day before But how did he achieve such a lengingly high for himself. ‘I and fellowships, including the the atomic bomb, nervy, richly-detailed authenticity in never imagined, when I was coveted Pushcart Prize, present-day Tehran, a dead- creating these fictional places writing the stories, that they so this collection has been end Australian coastal town – and voices? He concedes that belonged to anything more eagerly awaited, with writers and bring it to life with it probably has a lot to do with than themselves,’ he explains. like Charles D’Ambrosio extraordinary accuracy. Not an innate wanderlust, which ‘I didn’t test them for their fit unreservedly praising the only are the stories’ locales has led him to travel widely. within a collection, let alone collection as ‘tremendous, widely dissimilar, but their ‘I was born in Vietnam, raised any theme or scheme. I was challenging and ambitious … various protagonists emerge as in Australia, currently live trying to write what interested this book nails our collective entirely credible; no mean feat in the US, and have mucked me, what moved me, in a way now with an urgency and when you consider that they around through chunks of that tried to be interesting and relevance that feels visionary’. range in scope from a teenage Europe, South America and moving. As for setting the bar It’s the scope and versatility drug runner for a Colombian Asia. It’s not a stretch to say high – I think just writing a of these stories that have drug cartel to an anguished, that the reasons why I travel story that works is setting the garnered him this kind of dying New York painter and why I write or read are bar almost impossibly high. critical praise. Longer than the desperate to reconnect with similar; to see other things, Sometimes it helps me to think average Australian short story his estranged daughter. other places, situations and of it this way: a story isn’t so by several thousand words, each people, through other eyes.’ much written as governed, ‘Looking back now,’ Le says one differs so markedly from and just keeping your eye on of the stories, ‘I will say that He agrees that the stories, in the others in style, voice and everything, having your hands by switching from place to their ambitious scope, ‘are all setting that you are left shaking on the hot, heavy levers, is all place … I was in some way over the map in more than just your head in admiration that you can hope to do.’ formalising the idea that there’s the geographical sense’. But they could all have been written no place that’s not strange to he’s quick to point out that The hot, heavy levers that by the same author.

4 Le seems to handle so effort- graceless.’ Le is familiar, too, carelessly strews the right lessly keep all kinds of subtle with the nuances of Austral- objects around – and the THE BOAT narrative machinery moving ian adolescent awkwardness reader allows him/herself Nam Le smoothly in his stories. He in ‘Halflead Bay’– so much so to be seduced. Or doesn’t. Guest Review says ruefully that he’s learned that he even names the deodor- The end goal – the ultimate There is something the hard way: through writ- ants the teenage boys use – and high – converges, if you’ll allow audacious about an author ing an earlier novel which gives us a sensory world that me to stretch the metaphor, who, in their first collection he considers ‘a spectacular echoes the exactitude of Tim when the writer’s and reader’s of stories, moves between six multi-dimensional failure’, but Winton: ‘All along the walk- energies converge. That’s where continents, yet Vietnamese- which gave him a sense of what way were canvas chairs, eskies, the action is: the meeting point Australian writer Nam Le to expect in terms of the hard straight-backed rods thick as between “believe me” and navigates the globe confi- slog of writing. ‘I think it also spear grass. A mob of fluoro “I believe you”.’ dently and convincingly. jigs hopping on the water … Someone had a portable radio Allow yourself to be seduced In Le’s first story, ‘Love and music streamed in the air – this is a terrific collection; and Honour and Pity and ‘The reasons why in clean, bright colours. The intelligent, exhilarating and Pride and Compassion and bay a basin of light.’ moving. Just as readers will Sacrifice’, a writer called I travel and why find themselves immersed in Nam – like the author – ‘Details are hard,’ Le says of the the mysterious power of these attended the Iowa Writers’ I write or read process of finessing his stories. stories, Nam Le himself is the Workshop: “‘It’s hot,’ a are similar; to ‘You can err on every side: too first to admit that the instincts writing instructor told me at many, not enough, too precise, that work to breathe the a bar. Ethnic literature’s hot. see other things, too oblique, too suggestive, too visceral, sensory life into his And,’” he adds, almost as an other places, showy, too subtle … I charge fiction are sometimes just afterthought or an attempt myself not with getting some- as mysterious to him. at political correctness. situations and thing right but with doing “‘Important too.’” This story it justice. Capturing not the ‘No matter how many ways may begin somewhere close people, through essence but an essence.’ you slice it,’ he remarks, ‘no to the truth, but I doubt Le matter how ingeniously you would offer himself up so other eyes.’ He acknowledges, very modestly, deconstruct or reverse engineer easily. That story is surely a that he did ‘a fair bit of a given story, you never know meta-fiction, as much about research’ to find the right what it is that gives it life. Not the telling of the story as it freed me in a sort of pillar-of- details (and that research must in a way that’s redeemable or is about the story. salt way – there came a point be fantastically meticulous, transferable. So what do you I knew I’d be doomed if I since he admits he’s never been do? You stumble onwards. The remaining stories – viv- turned back towards it. Short to most of the places described You follow your leads.’ idly located in Tehran, New stories provided a great escape in the stories), but it’s worn York, Hiroshima, Colombia, – I’d never written them, and Cate Kennedy is the author of lightly and invisibly. Le com- Australia and the South frankly, hadn’t read too many, Dark Roots (Scribe, PB, $27.95) ments on the delicate business China Sea – are all richly so I felt I had nothing to lose.’ and is working on her first novel. of striving to create the sort detailed, compelling narra- It also gave him the chance to of ringing authenticity that tives. A teenage boy consid- weave into the stories some of enables ‘that true empathy, that ers his future as an assassin. what has been clearly absorbed deep, clear, close inhabitation A dying NY artist comes through the osmosis of travel by the reader of another con- tantalisingly close to meet- and careful, compassionate, as- sciousness in another context. ing his daughter for the first tute observation. Le is a writer That’s the key, the gold in the time in 17 years, only to be with an uncanny knack for ore – where imagination and rejected at the last minute. getting the details right, and understanding meet, recognis- An American woman travels rendering them in unforced, ing familiarity in strangeness, to Iran in the wake of a poetic prose. Through Sarah, truth in otherness, and your- failed relationship, to meet the central character in ‘Tehran self, in a tricksy mess of words.’ an old friend. Boat people drift between continents. Calling’, he describes the ap- Le’s work is never tricksy, pearance of the Persian written though, and it’s clear that he’s As a collection of stories language as ‘half-open fish spent a long time thinking Nam Le’s The Boat is cer- hooks, sickle blades, pregnant about creating the precision tainly impressive; for a debut letters with dots in their bel- and impact he wants. When collection, it is exceptional. lies. An alphabet refracted in we talk about the all-important water.’ Henry, the irascible and connection between writer and Patrick Cullen’s interlinked brilliant Manhattan artist in reader, he laughingly describes SPECIAL OFFER story collection will be ‘Meeting Elise’, recalls the last the suspension of disbelief Readings is offering Nam Le’s published by Scribe in 2009. moment he fleetingly touched involved as a kind of seduction. The Boat(Hamish Hamilton, Five of the twelve stories have his daughter, when she was ‘It’s a courtship, isn’t it? The PB) for the special price of been published in The Best a sick baby: ‘the only thing writer sets the scene, starts the $24.95 (normally $29.95). Australian Stories. that can make my hands feel music, lights the candles,

5 ThisLiterary news of all kinds,Month’s award winners, News guest reviewers, Readings offers and promotions. Vale Pamela Bone we can take to the world as we Thursday 12 June (Sophie) and and jointly invented new doctrines Many words have have done for many adult writers Thursday 19 June (Ramona), all of racial superiority to justify white already been on our list’. He launched the prize at 6pm, The Glasshouse, 51 Gipps privilege around the world. John written about the at the Children’s Book Council of Street, Collingwood, $6 entry per Hirst’s new book, Freedom on the death of Pamela Australia conference in Melbourne person, see sleeperspublishing.com Fatal Shore, brings together his two Bone. They have on 4 May. Entry details at for more info. books on the early history of New emphasised her www.textpublishing.com.au. South Wales. Sunday 15 June, 3 bravery, intelli- Sleepers Almanac: for 3.30 pm start, Glenfern Writers’ gence, her love of Best of the Booker Call for Entries Studios, Cnr Inkerman & Hotham family, her dry wit, powerful To celebrate the Sleepers is calling for submissions to Streets, St Kilda East, $15, VWC writing, her commitment to honest fortieth anniver- their fifth anthology of short fiction, members: $12/$10 conc., Wine and and robust public debate and her sary of the prize, cartoons, non-fiction and essays, cheese served. Bookings essential, compassion. a shortlist of six memoirs, lists, poetry, you name ph: 9654 9068 Booker win- it – if they like it, they’re going to In 2001, to celebrate the Cente- ners has been publish it. Emerging and young, es- prince caspian nary of Federation, The Victo- compiled, to be tablished and old, and anywhere in giveaway rian Women’s Trust produced an whittled down to between – all writers are encouraged Thanks to exhibition called Ordinary Women, one ‘Best of the Booker’ – chosen to submit. They are extra-specially Prince Caspian: Extraordinary Lives. We called for by a public vote. Shortlisted books on the lookout for new authors. The Chronicles nominations from all over the state, are Midnight’s Children (Salman Be sure to download the cover of Narnia, to flush out those women who ap- Rushdie, Vintage. PB, $24.95), sheet from the submissions page at Readings and pear ‘ordinary’ on the surface, but The Ghost Road (Pat Barker, sleeperspublishing.com. Subs close Cinema Nova when you took full account of their Penguin, PB, $22.95), Oscar and on Monday 30 June. have three prize layered lives, you found yourself Lucinda (Peter Carey, Vintage, PB, packs, each con- thinking ‘she is an extraordinary $24.95), Disgrace (J.M. Coetzee, Stitch & Bitch taining a Prince Caspian keychain, woman.’ Pamela was one of 265 Vintage, PB, $23.95), The Con- If you like to knit, journal, bag, bracelet, watch and nominations. servationist (Nadine Gordimer, or would like to t-shirt, to give away. Simply pur- Her story was placed within a Bloomsbury, PB, $22.95) and learn how, and chase a copy of the film tie-inPrince cluster of women described as The Siege of Krishnapur (J.G. don’t mind a bit Caspian at Readings and complete Defying the Odds. The theme for Farrell, Phoenix, PB, $22.95). of gossipy talk, and hand in an entry form at the this cluster was outlined thus: Readers around the world can get your needles counter to go in the draw to win. ‘These women show great strength, vote via SMS or online at www. and yarn and come on down to the The prize will be drawn on Friday determination and courage. Things themanbookerprize.com/news/ ‘Stitch & Bitch’ craft club at Read- 27 June. Only the winners will seem to be stacked against them but vote. Voting closes Tuesday 8 July ings Port Melbourne. We meet at be notified.Prince Caspian: the spirit is too strong. They are not and the winner will be announced 6.30pm on the second and fourth The Chronicles Of Narnia opens defeated’. Brave, loving, intel- on Thursday 10 July. Monday of every month. Everyone at Cinema Nova on 5 June. ligent, compassionate and defying is welcome to join us and have a the odds. She will be missed, but Sleepers Salons: June complimentary glass of wine. the Children’s remembered for her greatness. Over three consecutive Thursday These are free events, but please Bach giveaway — Mary Crooks, Executive Director, evenings this winter, the Sleepers book by calling 9681 9255. Helen Garner’s celebrated novel Victorian Women’s Trust Salons will feature three of our The Children’s Bach is soon to be OED Special opera at the CUB Malthouse. The Text Young most interesting bookish figures The Oxford English Dictionary The Children’s Bach is set on the Adult Prize discussing Australian literature, books, and whatever takes their (OED) is one of the foundation banks of Merri Creek in inner- Text Publishing has announced a fancy. texts for the modern English suburban Melbourne. Dexter and new writing prize on Australia’s language: it literally defines our Athena live in a ramshackle house literary landscape. The prize aims Steven Carroll has been shortlisted world. At Readings this month, with no TV and an outside loo. But to discover more wonderful new for the Miles Franklin for the third the complete 20 volume set of the they are comfortably happy although books for young adult readers, time, he’s been writing fiction for Oxford English Dictionary will be life with their disabled son, Billy, by Australian and New Zealand the past three decades, and he is a available for an extra-special price has taken its toll. Against this family writers. Both published and regular reviewer for the Age. Sophie of $2,999 (normally $3,300). A crashes another; Phillip, Elizabeth unpublished writers of all ages Cunningham is the new editor CD-Rom version of all 20 volumes and Vicki: urbane, musical and are eligible to enter the prize with of Meanjin, Australia’s oldest comes complete with the set. If stylish. And, as with most crashes, works of fiction or non-fiction. literary journal. The first edition you’ve ever dreamed of having the there’s collateral damage. Name Submissions must be received by under Sophie’s editorship is out in ultimate reference text in your three Helen Garner book titles 31 July 2008. Judged by a panel of June, as is her long-awaited second home, now is the time to buy! for your chance to win one of five editors from Text Publishing, the novel, Bird. Ramona Koval has Available while stocks last. double passes to the show and a winning book will be announced been interviewing writers in post-show Q and A with the creative on the evening of Saturday 30 Australia for the past couple of dec- glenfern events team (June 23). Email co@chamber- August, at the Melbourne Writers’ ades and she is well versed in the In Professor Marilyn Lake’s Drawing made.org.au with ‘Children’s Bach Festival. The winner will receive state of Australian fiction and the the Global Colour Line, Lake and & Readings’ in the subject line and a publishing contract with Text literary culture. Ramona has much Henry Reynolds expertly and im- your name, address and phone num- and a $10,000 advance against insight into where we’re headed, aginatively reconstruct how leading ber in the body of the message, along royalties. The Publisher at Text, where we’ve come from, and what white intellectuals and politicians with three Garner titles. Please note Michael Heyward, hopes this there is to look forward to. in Australia, and around the world, that only winners will be contacted. award ‘will unearth some brilliant Thursday 5 June (Steven), fought demands for racial equality new writing for teenagers, which 6 April Q & A

Jo Case talks to Debra Adelaide about her new novel The Household Guide to Dying

Q&A WITH is strangely compelling. If only it and I looked up some internet DEBRA ADELAIDE were valued more ... sources on aspects of death and Australian writer Debra Adelaide dying, including coffin manufac- landed a whopping $1 million This book seemed, to me, to be ture. (Oddly, since completing the advance for her much-anticipated a kind of love letter to mother- book, I’ve had another look at cof- novel, The Household Guide to hood, in all its small joys and fins on the internet and discovered Dying. Jo Case spoke to her for ongoing imperfections. even more bizarre examples of cof- Readings on the eve of its publication. Did you set out to do that? fins than I invented for the novel: people have made-to-order giant No, quite the opposite, as it’s a This has been touted as your Coke bottle-coffins, car-shaped theme I’ve already explored in ‘breakthrough novel’. With ten coffins, huge hammershaped cof- more than once. Did you ever earlier books. But clearly it’s an books behind you, including fins . . .). As well, I visited cemeter- find yourself emotionally ongoing preoccupation of mine, two novels, does this feel strange? ies, although that is something I overwhelmed when writing it? and I’m very happy that readers like to do anyway: cemeteries are Not really. I wrote this novel for would have this reaction. myself, so while on the one hand I think it’s more appropriate to intriguing places, full of silent sto- say that intense emotions shaped ries. I had also attended an autopsy it’s a great surprise to see so much Delia says her advice column is parts of it, but that I was never some years previously, and written fuss, on the other I feel content. ‘a version of me, a slightly feral overwhelmed, otherwise I doubt up notes for that scene when the Perhaps at the moment I don’t one’. Obviously you are not your I would have been able to write a novel was still forming in my know what it means to have a character, but it seems there fictional story. mind. I had previously read Mrs so-called breakthrough novel. must be aspects of you in there – Beeton’s Book of Household Manage- But if that’s the case, I guess I’ll like her, you keep chickens, you Delia’s response to her impend- ment, and went back to that for find out soon enough. work with words, and I suspect ing death provides some very inspiration, as well as several other the Jane Austen ruminations bizarre moments: posing in her books that are mentioned in the ‘The mother dying was a are as much yours as hers. own coffin holding a martini novel, such as Pride and Prejudice. disgraceful breaking of every How much of yourself did glass for her book cover, making And unfortunately – but coinci- rule.’ It’s also a slightly risky you put into Delia? situation for an author – to and freezing blood sausages dentally – I found myself doing write a book where the reader (made with her own blood) for Lots. Inevitably. It’s one way of the sort of research that I didn’t knows its sympathetic heroine, her family to eat when she investing a character with some want to do: towards the end of the a mother of small children, will is gone. ‘Why can’t just you sort of credibility. It’s true that I do writing of this book three people die at the end. What made you deal with this like any normal keep chickens and I am a writer, I knew died, one of them in the decide to write this story? person?’ says her mother. Do but Delia’s views and prejudices most tragic of circumstances, and you think there is a ‘normal’ and obsessions are all hers, as is her in one week I found myself I didn’t decide, as such. It chose response? What is behind Delia’s story. Her life, which has been full attending three funerals. me, which is what I think many (almost manic) activities? of trauma, regret and guilt, barely authors would say. But I have resembles mine. Delia’s editor, Nancy, is been interested in the topic of I have no idea what a normal initially sceptical about response is to imminent death, dying generally for quite some Delia reflects, ‘I was always Delia’s final ‘how-to’ book, especially as I’ve not yet faced it. time, and I wanted to explore the pathetically grateful for email, The Household Guide to Dying. Delia is certainly manic at times, possibility of writing about dying since it let you attend to inqui- ‘Who on earth would pick up and what is behind that is her in a frank and comic way. ries or make ones of your own a book with that title?’ As the intense desire to shape, control and while your children wailed and author of a book with that title, direct the little amount of time left The running thread of Delia’s fought and called out from the who do you imagine will pick it to her. And then at some point, job – a ‘witty, ironic’ advice col- bathroom ... without the embar- up and what do you hope readers she realises how futile that is. umnist and writer of a bestsell- rassment of all that drifting over will take away from it? ing series of books on household the phone’. That sentence is so The book – and Delia’s advice All I can hope is that readers will advice – provides some wonder- very apt, I wondered: does that books – is curiously old-fash- take away from the book the fully funny moments, and a describe your working life? welcome leavening humour ioned in the way that it treats the pleasure of having read a good to the very emotional main nar- domestic arts (cooking, laundry, Not at all. I’m answering these story, by which I mean a story that rative. Did you have fun cleaning) with reverence and questions in total quiet and will take them out of their worlds with this aspect of the book? affection, as arts that one could privacy. Not. But even though my and make them think about mor- be proud of mastering. What children are much older now than tality and other things in a new Yes. In fact in my dreams I am was the inspiration for that? Delia’s, and more independent, my way. And in my dreams I imagine really an agony aunt disguised as And are you, in your parlance, a working life is still hectic. I think that George Clooney will pick this a domestic advice columnist. And ‘goddess’, a ‘domestic whore’, or we forget too easily that just run- novel up. what was particularly satisfying was something in between? ning a home can be a full time job. to make these extracts from Delia’s I wish! Goddess or whore, advice column another little narra- What sort of research did you either would do me. But Delia is tive in the novel, one in which, in have to do for the book? the end, the story surprises her as especially interested in elevating much as it does the reader. the domestic arts, since to her Unlike the main character, I did they are so fundamental. And so very little research. I consulted a As a mother, reading about a overlooked. My position, for what book or two to get information mother farewelling her children, it’s worth, is that domestic work about things like lawns or tools, reading this book made me cry

7 Book of the Month A Household Guide to Dying. Delia is a delightfully eccentric Fiction A HOUSEHOLD character, balancing her innate achievement. GUIDE TO DYING quirkiness with an almost ma- Australian Fiction Mark Rubbo is Managing Debra Adelaide tronly practicality and a frighten- SEA OF MANY RETURNS Director of Readings Picador. PB. Normally $32.95 ing mastery of the household Arnold Zable Our special price $27.95 ‘arts’. It’s this unlikely balance Text. PB. $32.95 BIRD Staff review that is most endearing about Staff review Sophie Cunningham This book is her. She secretly makes blood Reading Text. PB. $32.95 being touted sausages with her own blood and Arnold Zable Staff review as THE pops them in the freezer for her reminds me a Who was Anna Australian unsuspecting family to eat when bit of reading Davidoff? On novel of the she’s gone. (‘I put myself into this the great Nobel the anniversary year. Debra dish.’) She poses with a martini Prize-winning of her death, Adelaide has glass in her own coffin for her author Isaac Ana-Sofia ‘ SPECIAL PRICE been on the book cover. She tells her grieving Bashevis Singer. expresses a local literary husband that she’d quite like him Like Singer, long-held scene for decades, and has ten to marry his bookkeeper after Zable’s tales are about ordinary desire to know books behind her, but she netted she’s gone. And she hopes that lives, about greed and ambition, more about her a $1 million advance for this her publisher can organise for about love and hope, and about beautiful and enigmatic mother: one. Coming to the book in the dumpbins of her book to be dreams and myths. They are filled a woman who deserted her young shadow of all this hype, I was available at her funeral. with warmth, wonder, pleasure and daughter to become a Buddhist – I’ll admit – prepared to hate disappointment – and occasionally nun in the mountains of Tibet. it. But I was quickly hooked by The Household Guide to Dying is with a touch of steel. In his earlier Anna’s story unfolds through the this deceptively low-key novel very, very clever. It’s packed with books he has written about the memories of her friend Eleanor and and the predicament of its no- ruminations on the lost signifi- emigrant experience. In Sea of Lama Dorje Rinpoche, a Tibetan nonsense (but deliciously witty) cance of the household arts and Many Returns he writes about the monk, who recalls the wilful but protagonist, an advice columnist what we’d call ‘women’s work’, Greek island of Ithaca. For the soul-searching Anna of later life. and bestselling author of a series but also of their more masculine islanders, emigration was an Anna, a refugee from war-torn of household guides to laundry, domestic counterparts, like gar- interregnum; a time to explore, Russia, arrives in America with her cooking, and other lost domestic dening and lawnmowing (Delia’s perhaps to make some money and emotionally damaged father and ‘arts’. husband’s job). There are Austen references galore, in-jokes aimed then to return. Through the eyes of resolutely recreates herself, sweep- Delia is dying of breast cancer. at herself (‘Motherlove? You’re two generations, Zable observes the ing the impressionable Eleanor She has had her final – useless – joking,’ says Delia when her different experiences over different along with her. The early friend- chemotherapy treatment and is editor suggests it as a title – it’s generations through the journals of ship between Eleanor and Anna is waiting to die. As she ties up loose actually one of Adelaide’s), and Mentor and his Australian beautifully realised, following their ends and reflects on her life so far, lots of witty asides on words, granddaughter Xanthe. Through journey into adulthood in 1950s she finds herself haunted by her editing and the love of books. their observations and experiences, America. But Anna’s demons don’t stay in a small northern NSW Zable weaves the experiences of allow her to rest. Spanning the last town, Amethyst, where she arrived But what makes this novel some- emigration and longing for half of the twentieth century – as a pregnant single mother-to-be, thing truly special is its loving homeland into a powerful picture. through America, Europe and and the tragic events that took tribute to motherhood – setting Xanthe’s return to the island and Tibet – Anna’s story unfolds, but place there, decades ago. She de- all its myriad annoyances and her reading of Mentor’s journals ... who is the author, and who is the tours from her domestic kingdom, imperfections alongside heartfelt explains the bitterness, frustration hero. Each story is coloured by the where she writes her advice col- sentences of devotion that will and anger of her father, stranded in narrator and it slowly becomes clear umn, makes school lunches, whips make your heart ache, rich as they a land that he never quite felt part that no one really knew her: not her up nourishing meals and cuddles are with the foreknowledge of of or quite welcome in. Zable friends, her lovers, her drunken her chickens, in an attempt to tie impending loss. It’s a cliché to say beautifully captures the rhythms father, nor her Tibetan guru. up the loosest end of all. And of ‘this novel will make you laugh and changes to island life over four Finally, Ana-Sofia returns to Tibet, course, in the midst of it all, she and cry’. But it will. Keep your generations. The stoicism and the hoping to make sense of the past has decided to face death the most tissues on hand. sense of history come forcefully and understand her mother’s practical way she knows how: writ- Jo Case is Editor of through. The gods gaze down from struggle for inner peace. ing a book about it, her final one: Readings Monthly Mt Olympus and life ‘is just a hole Michelle Calligaro is Assistant in the water’. Certainly a wonderful Manager of Readings Carlton

CINEMA NOVA RECOMMENDS then she Guillermo del Toro presents found me directed by Helen Hunt from the novel by Elinor Lipman “A chick flick with both brains “The Orphanage is this and heart – and lots of both year’s Pan’s Labyrinth …from giggles to tears and and that’s praise indeed” NOW SHOWING back again” Star Magazine MAY 29 Joe IGN.com C I N E M A Make a purchase at Readings for your chance 380 LYGON ST CARLTON to receive one of 25 double passes to either film. www.cinemanova.com.au

8 Books

THE NEW ANGEL so one night he leaves it all behind Ali Alizedeh in an attempt to escape his architect Walter Burley Griffi n and Transit Lounge. PB. $32.99 dilemma. But sinister forces are Melbourne coff ee palace maestro, Staff review at work and the past is not some- Antonios Lekatsas. Bahram’s thing that can always be relin- parents are the quished. Someone’s always lurk- You have been, and continue to very epitome ing in the shadows, and people be, an indefatigable champion of of modern are not always what they seem. the rights of refugees and asylum Iran: university Th is is a plot that unravels like a seekers – does that inform your educated, Hollywood movie. Th ere are twists work or vice versa ... or neither? secular, and turns with a fair share of serendipitous occurrences. Gilling SPECIAL FEATURE It does inform my work. Th e cur- progressive. rent generation of refugees are ex- His kindly has done a good job at holding Q&A WITH the reader’s attention thanks to ARNOLD ZABLE periencing the intense challenges uncle Behrooz is a fashionably left faced by previous generations. We academic. But everything changed the brevity of his style. He also Arnold Zable is one of our most displays a unique insight into hu- tend to forget, or fail to imagine, with the Islamic revolution; his accomplished storytellers. His lyrical how diffi cult it is to start life anew mother is told to wear a scarf over man psychology. Dreamland is in novels explore the experience of mi- many ways an indictment of our far from the homeland. We forget her head and his father to stop gration, and his latest, Sea of Many also that nostalgia, the longing wearing his colourful Western ties. tabloid culture. A great read! Returns, is set between the island of Dimitri Gonis is a freelance writer for the return to homeland, is a His cousin Abbas joins the Islamic Ithaca and Melbourne. Mark Rubbo deep and enduring aspect of the army and becomes a pernicious spoke to him for Readings. THE NEARLY refugee experience. force against his family and the life they had led. After a tirade against HAPPY FAMILY Sea of Many Returns is mainly Catherine McKinnon set in the island of Ithaca geo- Reading the book, I got the sense the Islamists in front of Abbas, that the islanders who came to Viking. PB. $32.95 graphically, quite a departure for Behrooz strangely disappears. Australia are never really part Fifteen-year- you. How did this come about? Th e pressure drives his mother to of the society. In one particularly old Claire and insanity. Th e protracted war with Ithaca is where my partner Dora’s powerful passage you describe her mother Iraq brings new levels of suff ering family comes from, and I have the anti-Greek riots in Jackie, a and suspicion. In spite of this, the been a regular visitor since 1987. Kalgoorlie during World War comedian, are young Bahram, an outsider, fi nds I fi rst travelled in Greece in 1973 I. It’s an incident that seems reeling in the friendship and love with Fereshteh and felt an immediate affi nity with to destroy the two characters’ aftermath of (Persian for ‘angel’). Th eir relation- the land, its people, its culture and emerging sense of belonging. ship develops secretly, they think, Claire’s father’s history. and they fantasise about escaping death – and Th ese riots are among our hidden together. Unknown to them, they they’re driving each other crazy. Th e images you create of the narratives, darker episodes in Aus- are observed by Abbas and Claire is outraged when her mother locations are incredibly vivid. tralian history that have been over- their plans are tragically foiled. decides to marry a much younger To what extent are they a prod- looked or conveniently forgotten. Alizedeh beautifully and terrify- man she’s just met; in retaliation, uct of your imagination? Th e riots, related incidents, and ingly portrays a society in disas- she apprentices herself to a volatile general distrust towards ‘foreigners’ trous transition – one can only Italian chef. In time, mother and Having spent much time on the did alienate many immigrants and hope it is just a tragic interlude. daughter discover that life – like island, many of the Ithacan images it took a long time to build a sense Th e New Angel is a wonderful the best recipes – is both mysteri- are based on what I have observed of trust and belonging. novel by a highly talented ous and mysteriously simple. over the years. Th e Carrum scenes Iranian-born Australian writer. are derived from many walks in Although ostensibly Christian, Mark Rubbo is Managing the area. My descriptions of loca- the lives of the islanders are per- Director of Readings Poetry tions such as Kalgoorlie, the Black meated by the myths of the past Sea, the Danube River, are based and your characters constantly BIG NUMBERS DREAMLAND on research, but at some point the refer to these. One character Tom Gilling TT.O research ends and the imagination says, ‘life is a hole in the water’. Collective Eff ort Press. PB. $36 Text. PB. $32.95 takes over. Another says that in life you an urban poet. Guest review need only know, ‘Christ and %,*180%(56 a poet of cafes Nick Carmody QHZDQGVHOHFWHGSRHPV Th e structure of the book is Marx and perhaps Odysseus’. and coff ee is a has-been diff erent to your earlier books. How did you fi nd these? shops. a poet of crime reporter Apart from the prologue, the time and space. By listening. In some ways the who lives with novel is written in the form of a poetry of novel is the result of hundreds of a sub-editor journals. What was the inten- language. a conversations with Ithacans, on colleague, her tion behind this structure? poetry of form the island, and in Melbourne. daughter and visual poems, Th e structure enabled me to I am drawn to the quirky sayings an arthritic sound poems, number poems, work imagine two related, but quite and observations that defi ne a greyhound. poems, love poems, greek poems, diff erent, points of view formed in person or a culture. Ithaca is His life seems average until he poems about culture (and cultures). two diff erent eras, extending into inevitably associated with Homer’s attends the wake of an old dialect poems. historical poems. four generations of one Ithacan Odyssey, and the tales I have classmate. Nick soon fi nds himself ockers. jews. wogs. workers. women. family. It also enabled me to cover heard on modern-day Ithaca have embroiled in the nefarious crims. prostitutes. homeless. drunks over a century in time, right up affi rmed the enduring resonance of objectives of a tycoon. A naïve and and the down. a poetry of the offi ce. until 2002, and to recreate tales the ancient archetype for voyagers desperate act, partly fuelled by his a poetry of engagement. a poetry of I have heard of, for example, the of all times. restricted fi nances, will cast him fact and fi ction. ‘an instant classic’ – late nineteenth century Ithacan into a world of payoff s and perjury. the author. voyages to the Black Sea, and the A longer version of this interview is Th ere’s no turning back when you creative partnership between the online at www.readings.com.au. sell your soul. He knows this well,

9 Books

recently broken up with his International fiancée. And there’s Sam, who is The extraordinary neew non vevel frf om thee Fiction attempting to write the great bestselling author of Snoow Faalll inng onn Ceeddara s. Zionist novel. Bumbling through HARRY, REVISED their twenties, they have set high Mark Sarvas expectations for themselves. They David Guterson Text. PB. $32.95 are all trying to juggle one too Guest review many girlfriends, too much The Other Harry Rent is, information, and email overload. quite literally, These three young men are at a loss. A inherently selfish but can be Seattle 1972. Two teen- recent widower sometimes sweet. Perhaps their age boys are standing with a Buddha greatest fear is the success of their at the starting line of an belly, he spends rivals and peers. While the initial 800m race; Neil from the lonely days at set-up implies a longer narrative local public high school; Café Retro, a arc and more action, Gessen and John William from fifties exposes with an insider’s comic a private academy for throwback diner that would put gaze the anxiety and frustrations the privileged. After of a youth crowded with expecta- John wins the race by Happy Days to shame. Wifeless and a hair’s breadth, their lifeless, he is wondering what has tions. ‘His Google was shrinking. lives collide for the very become of the man he’d always It was part of a larger failing, first time, and it is the planned to be. The café is his maybe, certainly, but to see it beginning of a friendship escape, a window into the life of quantified … to see it numerically that is both fraught and 22-year-old Molly, her angel wings confirmed … it was cruel.’ intimate. Riveting, deeply tattooed wide across the small of Louise Swinn is Editorial humane, The Other is her back. With each day, Harry’s Director of Sleepers Publishing OUT NOW David Guterson’s most fantasies grow ever more elaborate brilliant and provocative as he sees new beginnings, a wash- THE OUTLANDER novel to date. ing away of the past. Then, on a Gil Adamson night punctuated by serendipity A&U. PB. Normally $29.95 and self-loathing, Harry reaches a Our special price $24.95 crisis point. Fuelled by a rereading Staff review of The Count of Monte Cristo, he As I was read- decides then and there to reinvent ing this book himself. But Harry is no Edmond I imagined Dantes … Both funny and mov- the Rocky ing, Harry, Revised is heartbreak- Mountains. ingly honest in its depiction of the I could see urban male. It is to Sarvas’s credit it in Gil’s

that he has managed to juxtapose ‘ SPECIAL PRICE descriptions I LOST such conflicting emotions so – the dirt, the successfully, the end result being trees, the frightening sounds and an unforgettable and rewarding shadows – and I could understand MY LOVE IN journey through the life of a flawed how this novel may well end up but loveable hero. as a movie starring a fierce young Laurie Steed is a freelance reviewer woman as she tramples over the mountains and escapes to a new BAGHDAD ALL THE SAD YOUNG life with a new man. Set in 1903, A MODERN LOVE STORY GONE LITERARY MEN this is the story of 19-year-old Keith Gessen Mary Boulton as she flees a life HORRIBLY WRONG ... Heinemann. PB. $34.95 best left, by murdering her By Michael Hastings, 27-year-old Newsweek correspondent Guest review husband. The story, classic in its All the Sad Canadian setting, follows Mary as Young Literary she escapes the law, goes bush and Men is the first survives extraordinary odds by rely- novel by Keith ing on the generosity of people. As Gessen, one of Mary progresses further away from the founding her past life, she finds retribution is editors of waiting. The characters are straight cutting edge from a Western screenplay and US literary the passion and strength of Mary magazine, N+1. As the title are straight from feminist ideology. suggests, it is primarily concerned This heady combination creates a with three over-educated and wonderful adventure story. literary young men who, regretta- The Outlander took ten years to bly, spend a lot of time being sad. write. This is an impressive, There’s Mark, divorced, who spends fast-moving debut novel. too much of his dissertation time Chris Gordon is Events JUNE @ WWW.MUP.COM.AU looking up porn. There’s Keith, a Coordinator of Readings political journalist, who has

10 Books

PETROPOLIS NOVEL ABOUT MY WIFE Anya Ulinich Emily Perkins angry little Marxist. So the scene Scribe. PB. $29.95 Bloomsbury. PB. $29.95 where Sasha reconsiders Nabokov Staff review Staff review from a domestic servant’s point This darkly Many moons of view is informed by my own comic debut is ago there was feelings when I was in a similar both admirably an enormous position. clever and amount of intensely excitement Sasha’s newly created (meticu- moving. The about a young lously bland) American identity satire is spot-on New Zealand (with her new name, ‘Allie’) and the word woman writer’s SPECIAL FEATURE is demolished with the sound pictures just debut Q&A WITH of Marina’s voice, her Russian stunning, but the really smart thing collection of short stories entitled ANYA ULINICH words and accent. How impor- tant is language to identity? about this book is something that Not Her Real Name. Since then Brooklyn-based, Russian-born Anya seems very simple but is actually Emily Perkins has written novels, Ulinich takes a sharp, blackly comic Hugely important, for me. Maybe quite tough to achieve. It’s easy moved to London with her painter look at post-Cold War Siberia and not for everyone. When I visit reading of the best kind: finely husband and moved back to New twenty-first century America in her Europe, I’m amazed at how easily tuned writing that crackles with the Zealand with a family. Her latest first novel, Petropolis, exploring multilingual many people are. chutzpah of its unlikely heroine, book, Novel About My Wife, retains migration, motherhood and identity. For someone who grows up in a and her flinty observations of the all of the elements I enjoyed in her Jo Case spoke to her for Readings. monolingual environment there all-too-often bleak world around earlier work – vivid character is a huge difference between the her. The pages fly by, as Siberian portrayal, natural dialogue and Sasha is, in some ways, an un- native language, that is deeply mail-order bride Sasha – chubby, illuminating investigations into the likely heroine: chubby, awkward, rooted in the subconscious, and awkward, surprisingly driven nature of relationships and not especially good at anything. the language one learns as an – undergoes a series of misadven- domesticity. However it also What was the inspiration for her adult. When I don’t speak Rus- tures, back home in Russia (and demonstrates a significant leap in character? sian for long stretches, I miss it, her home town of Asbestos 2), and her capabilities as a writer. Set Sasha is maybe an unlikely hero- almost the way one might miss an then on a journey across America, against a contemporary London ine, but she is a typical human essential nutrient in a diet, or the from the Arizona desert to a cityscape, the novel is narrated by being – aren’t most of us not par- way a child misses her mother – it’s Brooklyn brownstone. In Russia, Tom, a scriptwriter in his forties ticularly beautiful and of average a kind of a physical feeling. That’s life is either bluntly pragmatic or whose career isn’t entirely going to abilities? I wasn’t particularly inter- what happens to Sasha. For Sasha, almost pathetically buoyed by old plan. Tom is deeply in love with his ested in creating a larger-than-life the language switch is a sort of school superstition (one neighbour wife, Anna, a redheaded Australian character: an undiscovered genius mental suicide, as is her entire life cuts up newspaper columns by a beauty who is expecting their first lingering in Siberia; or an ‘ugly- with Neal. She is trying to forget, noted healer and dips them in child, but Anna is slow to reveal her duckling’ story about misperceived almost obliterate her former self. water which she then presumes to secrets and fears. Once she divulges beauty. That would be too easy – Meeting Marina reminds her that have magical properties). In her suspicions that someone is the story would reach its climax in this can’t be done. America, immigrants are imported following her, Tom desperately a predictable way. Sasha fumbles or tolerated as servants (wives, tries to unravel the enigma of his through life the way most people The mother-child relation- cleaners) or playthings (for research wife before it is too late. do (maybe more so, because she is ships in this book are often or rehabilitation), until they Justine Douglas is Manager an illegal immigrant in the US, so bittersweet, and reflect a range manage to work or luck their way of Readings Port Melbourne she exists on the margins of society of experiences of motherhood into a slice of the American dream. for much of the book). She is, ba- – from Mrs Goldberg’s fiercely Sasha, caught between worlds, THE END OF sically, surviving. The world owes autocratic devotion to Heidi’s views it all with a cynical and THE ALPHABET nothing to Sasha Goldberg, and very American, quite indulgent, marvellously sharp eye. C.S. Richardson throughout her journey, she finds parenting. How important is this Jo Case is Editor of Portobello. HB. $24.95 happiness, fulfilment, and love in aspect of the novel for you? Readings Monthly Staff review unexpected places. I read this Very important. Motherhood is ATTACHMENT beautiful How heavily did your experi- one of the central themes of this Isabel Fonesca looking book ences in migrating from Russia novel. I began to write it when Chatto & Windus. PB. $32.95 in one sitting. to America influence Petropolis? my older daughter was first born, Journalist Isabel Fonesca’s first I didn’t set and I was amazed at how much Well, Petropolis is obviously in- in love I was with this tiny baby. I novel confirms her status as a liter- out to, but I formed by my experience. It’s also ary heavyweight in her own right couldn’t put it wondered: what would it be like fuelled by a certain sense of po- if she were taken away from me? (her husband is Martin Amis). down. It’s not litical outrage one feels when one Attachment explores the illusions a long story, Could I go on? So this is how the lives the life of a poor immigrant story of Sasha, and Nadia, began. of marriage and the riddle that is but by the time I had finished in the US. Like Sasha Goldberg, identity, taking as its starting point my heart had broken in that way I’m raising my children in, essen- when I came to America, I was, es- tially, Heidi’s world. And I found a middle-aged wife’s discovery that that makes you look around and sentially, a Soviet person (this was her husband is having an affair. appreciate what you have right that among the American middle before Russia changed into what and upper-middle class, mother- Rather than confronting him, Jean where you are. This is the love it is now). So the US was the first inpersonates him in a string of story of Ambrose Zephyr and his hood is very political – friendships place where I experienced extreme can break up when two friends emails to his lover. Struggling with wife Zappora Ashkenazi, who have class disparity, for example. I grew both her discovery and her bizarre been happily married for a long disagree with each others’ parent- up in an Anti-Soviet family in ing methods. reaction, Jean takes off on a journey time. One day, Ambrose is given Moscow – we worshipped freedom around the world, and a quest to one month to live and this story is and the market economy. Coming A longer version of this interview is discover her true self. what he and Zappora, known as to the US nearly made me into an online at www.readings.com.au. Zipper, do with those days. This

11 Books

could have turned into something BRIGHT SHINY MORNING unforgettable events first recounted as it seems: a group of researchers awful, but instead the anguish of James Frey more than 3,000 years ago, events develops a paint that protects them love without hope seems real and Sphere. PB. $32.99 arranged not by the whims of the from misfortune, an office worker their story is not sentimental trash, The first novel gods in this instance but by the composes the most beautiful poem but rather an exquisite list of what is from disgraced dictates of human nature. ever seen, and two separate stories important. They use the alphabet as memoirist chillingly explore mass violence their backdrop and as we know, this James Frey has KIERON SMITH BOY – a subject the author was all is the beginning of language and the already caused James Kelman too familiar with. end. A perfect, clever read. quite a stir. The Hamish Hamilton. HB. $49.95 Chris Gordon is Events knives are out, The latest TRAUMA Coordinator of Readings waiting for novel from the Patrick McGrath another controversial Bloomsbury. PB. $32.95 DEVIL MAY CARE carve-up. But the first review author of A darkly Sebastian Faulks concedes that Frey ‘has something’ the Booker- disturbing Michael Joseph. PB. $32.95 and that this book is a page-turner. winning How novel about This really is This is an ‘LA novel’: a series of Late it Was, dysfunctional one of the vignettes following a host of How Late has families and most antici- messed up characters, including a provoked a psychiatry, set pated books movie star who’s secretly gay, a flurry of media attention in the in Vietnam-era of the year. five-year-old boy who wants to be a UK. Once again, Kelman writes Manhattan. Literary novel- cold-blooded killer when he grows in broad, authentic Glaswegian, Charlie Weir ist Sebastian up, a spoilt teenage runaway. plunging readers into his narrator’s is a psychiatrist with a closet fairly Faulks takes up Juxtaposing glittering excess with world by taking them right bursting with skeletons: a bitter Ian Fleming’s seedy depravity, this is a wild ride inside his head. Young Kieron rivalry with his successful brother, mantle as the new scribe of the ad- through a city of contradictions. Smith, rejected by his brother and estranged from his father, a claus- ventures of the world’s most famous ignored by his parents, struggles trophobic closeness with his dying spy: Bond. James Bond. Plot details HERE AT THE END OF with his new life after his family mother ... and a blunder he can’t are as closely guarded as the last THE WORLD WE LEARN is moved from near his beloved forget that lost him his wife and Harry Potter. All we know is that TO DANCE grandparents to a new housing daughter. When Charlie meets the Faulks takes up where Fleming left Lloyd Jones scheme on the outskirts of the beautiful, disturbed Chiara, he falls off, at the height of the Cold War ... Text. PB. $32.95 city. ‘The boy’s voice is utterly, into a fast-burning relationship that And the first sentence: ‘“Come in, A new edition mercilessly authentic.’ quickly devolves into a doctor- 007,” said M. “It’s good to see you of one of the – Michel Faber, Guardian patient dynamic. And Chiara’s back.”’ Indeed. early novels trauma awakens a long-buried from the SNUFF memory of Charlie’s own ... VOICE OVER much-loved Chuck Palahunik Celine Curiol author of Jonathan Cape. PB. $34.95 Faber. PB. $29.95 Mister Pip. The author of PERENNIAL PROMOTION Staff review Jones whirls the Fight Club is An impressive A nameless reader across back with yet range of the young woman three generations, from Buenos another world’s leading announces the Aires to New Zealand, to Sydney ... confronting, twentieth- train schedule and it all begins, like the tango, off-beat, darkly century classics at the Gare du with a backwards step. It’s World humorous take is now available Nord in Paris. War I, and lovers Louise and on the world in beautifully The object of Schmidt take refuge in a cave in we live in. presented her desire lives New Zealand, after being pursued Porn star Cassie Wright is about paperback with another by locals angered by his German to cap her legendary career by volumes, priced at just $16.99 woman, an ‘angel’. She is persuaded name. There, humming Argentin- setting a record for serial fornica- each. This month at Readings, buy to assist a transvestite in his show, ian songs into her ear, he teaches tion. On camera. With 600 men. any three titles from the selected running on stage, desperately her the intimate rhythms of the In the Green Room, the story Perennial range, and get the third sobbing. She accepts a stranger’s tango. Years later, Schmidt’s unfolds from the perspectives of one free! Restock your bookshelves invitation to have coffee, which granddaughter tells Lionel the tale three men who await their turn now with these affordable and leads to her being locked in his drug of her grandfather’s affair. And she in the spotlight. attractive books. Titles available den. She tells a dinner party of teaches him to dance. are: Bel Canto (Ann Patchett), acquaintances that she is a TRANQUIL STAR: Beyond Black (Hilary Mantel), Eve prostitute, even going so far as to AN ILIAD UNPUBLISHED STORIES Green (Susan Fletcher), Empire of meet up with one of the men the Alessandro Baricco Primo Levi the Sun (J.G. Ballard), The Shipping next night. What is she doing, and Canongate. PB. $22.95 Penguin. PB. $24.95 News (E. Annie Proulx), The where is she headed? Voice Over Alessandro Baricco recreates the A landmark Kitchen God’s Wife (Amy Tan), received a rapturous endorsement siege of Troy through the voices of selection of 17 Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda from Paul Auster, who hails Curiol 21 Homeric characters. Sacrificing short stories Ngozi Adichie), as a major new literary talent. This none of Homer’s panoramic scope, by one of The Hours (Michael Cunningham), slim novel is a breathless read, as our Baricco forgoes Homer’s detach- the twenti- The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields), Parisian protagonist breezes through ment and admits us to realms of eth century’s We Were the Mulvaneys (Joyce Carol a catalogue of disparate moments. subjective experience his prede- greatest writers Oates), The Naked Lunch (William Strangely abstract, yet satisfyingly cessor never explored. From the and thinkers. S. Burroughs), American Boy whole, this is one to savour slowly. return of Chryseis to the burial of The stories (Andrew Taylor), The Lover Kabita Dhara is from Hector, we see through human eyes here open up a world of wonder, (Marguerite Duras), A Thousand Readings Carlton and feel with human hearts the cruelty and fate, where nothing is Acres (Jane Smiley). 12 Dead Write New Crime Fiction with Judith Loriente OSCAR WILDE AND imaginings of scriptwriters had CARELESS IN RED CEMETERY LAKE THE RING OF DEATH their own effect on organised Elizabeth George Paul Cleave Gyles Brandreth crime? And what experience do Hodder. PB. Normally $32.99 Bantam. PB. $29.95 John Murray. PB. $33 these people who mould our Our special price $27.95 In New Oscar Wilde perceptions of crime and criminals It is barely Zealand, Theo being used as a have of the real thing? This three months Tate, a private fictional remarkable book is the first to since the investigator, detective? I explore our images of crime by murder of his finds himself blanched at the interviewing those involved on, in wife and part of an very thought – and around all sides of the law, both Thomas investigation until I began real and fictional, and often Lynley takes involving the

reading, and somewhere in between. Through a ‘ SPECIAL PRICE to the exhumation of quickly series of exclusive interviews with South-West the body of a potential murder dropped my objections. The second artists, authors and actors (including Coast Path in Cornwall, deter- victim. As the body is being of Gyles Brandreth’s mysteries sees Elmore Leonard, Viggo Mortensen, mined to walk its length in an exhumed, several corpses bob to Oscar Wilde investigating a series Ice-T and David Mamet) as well as attempt to distract himself from his the surface in a lake next to the of bizarre deaths in London in real life bank robbers, gangsters and loss. On the forty-third day of this cemetery. At first it appears that 1892. When Wilde and the current prison inmates, editor Alix walk, he sees a cliff climber fall to someone may have been reusing members of his Socrates Club sit Lambert (artist, photographer of his death, apparently witnessed by coffins, and dumping the bodies in down to dinner one evening, an Russian prisoners’ tattoos and writer a surfer in a nearby cove. Shortly the lake. But soon the possibility amusing diversion is proposed: for HBO’s Deadwood) explores the afterwards, Lynley encounters a emerges that they may be victims each is invited to write down the gaps and overlaps between real young woman from Bristol whose of the Christchurch Carver, a serial name of the person they would crime and its representation in the personal history is a blank before killer who has been at loose for two most like to murder. It seems arts, each commenting on and her thirteenth year. These events years. Though a bit slow-moving in harmless enough at the time – but assessing the impact of the other. propel him into a case that brings the middle, Cemetery Lake makes soon the nominated victims begin Margaret Snowdon is from Barbara Havers from London and up for this with an excellent and to mysteriously die! One after Readings Carlton thrusts both detectives into a world unexpected ending that makes it another, the club members’ where revenge is only one of the worth sticking with. JL enemies meet sudden and terrible THE SECRET LOVERS motives they must sift through to ends, until Wilde becomes Charles McCarry identify a killer. convinced one of the dinner guests Scribe. PB. $32.95 is responsible. And he has every Former CIA motive in the world to want to officer Charles catch him – for he himself was McCarry has named one of the hypothetical been hailed as victims. A good old-fashioned one of the Sherlock Holmes-style detective great espionage Wdd`XajWh story, with a colourful cast of novelists – characters and plenty of action, the a worthy book is enlivened by Wilde’s compatriot constant witticisms, both real and of Le Carre and Graham Greene. invented (but uncannily accurate). His hero, Paul Christopher, is a Judith Loriente is from model spook: intelligent, charming, Readings Hawthorn enduringly moral, a lover of poetry and literature. In West Berlin, CRIME Christopher receives the Alix Lambert, Damon handwritten manuscript of a Murray, Stephen Sorrell dissident Russian, just minutes & Ariana Speyer (eds) before the courier’s spine is Fuel. HB. $59.95 snapped. In Rome, his wife, Cathy, How much do takes a famous director as her lover. criminal acts These two seemingly discrete events set in motion a spiral of opera- and their Start your own book club or join an existing tional and personal intrigue that representation one. From international award-winners to debut in cinema, leads Christopher from the cafes Australian authors, CAE Book Groups has over literature and of old Europe to the frontlines of music really the Cold War in the Congo, as he 1,000 titles and reading group guides available secretly arranges the publication have in for loan. Contact CAE Book Groups for details. common? Is of a novel that could bring the the execution of crime in everyday Soviet system to its knees. CAE Book Groups life as appealing or as inspired as P: (03) 9652 0611 creative artists have made it seem since, say, Arthur Conan Doyle’s E: [email protected] Professor Moriarty? Does the film www.cae.edu.au industry continue to learn from the real-life mafia, or have the

13 Books Non-fiction eccentric Dr. Finch (a bizarre Supercapitalism Biography relationship so brilliantly captured the transformation of business, GROWING UP ASIAN in Running With Scissors), the two democracy, and everyday life IN AUSTRALIA were a perfectly normal unhappily Robert Reich Alice Pung married couple, going through the ordeals of hatred, embitteredness, Black Inc. PB. $27.95 Reich sets out a clear course to a unfulfilled dreams and nervous Staff review vibrant capitalism and an equally vibrant breakdowns. Unlike his much- What a democracy. This is a hugely important book older brother, who in his teens ran fascinating — timely, impassioned, and persuasive. away from it all, Burroughs was collection of left to bear the brunt of it. His stories! experiences are recounted here: the Growing up Petropolis years of his parents’ deteriorating Asian in Anya Ulnich marriage, his father’s increasing Australia is an violence, his eventual estrangement ‘Petropolis is engaging, funny and anthology of from him, and his ultimate ability genuinely moving in all the right places. It reminiscences to reach a position of something from prominent and not so is a sparkling debut, a unique comic novel close to forgiveness. A Wolf At prominent Asian-Australians who of Homo post-Sovieticus ...’ The Table isn’t quite as funny as all have one thing in common: — Los Angeles Times Running With Scissors, but it has lives that have been affected, in its comic moments, and will be one way or another, by the strad- lapped up by Burroughs’ fans. dling of East and West. Edited by Crashing Through Judith Loriente is from award-winning writer Alice Pung, a true story of risk, adventure, Readings Hawthorn and the man who dared to see these are tales of being called racist names in the schoolyard, unpack- CRASHING THROUGH: Robert Kurson ing school lunches that smelled A TRUE STORY OF RISK different from the other kids’, Robert Kurson gives us a fascinating AND THE MAN WHO negotiating romantic relationships account of one man’s choice to explore DARED TO SEE what it means to see — and truly live. with people from other cultures and much, much more. Sunil Robert Kurson Badami recalls being taunted about Scribe. PB. $32.95 Typo his name and wanting to be just This book tells the story of the last American typesetter Neil, Kylie Kwong writes about the Mike May, a or how I lost 4 million dollars first time she visited her ancestral home in China and Cindy Pan blind man David Silverman remembers her aspirations to win who joined A business book of the year in the United every single category of the Nobel the CIA, States, Typo is for anyone who wants to Prize. Honest, unflinching and broke world run his or her own buiness, or succeed in a often extremely funny, these stories records for downhill speed corporation, without being stranded by the give voice to the many Asian- skiing, and became a successful reality of shifting markets. Australians who grew up here but often felt like they didn’t belong. entrepreneur. The truly amazing My only criticism of this anthology thing about him, though, was the The Secret Lovers would be that Alice Pung hasn’t put revolutionary stem cell transplant cell surgery he underwent in 1999, Charles McCarry one of her own stories in! Kabita Dhara is from in a bid to restore his vision. ‘The Secret Lovers is a spy novel that Readings Carlton The risks were many and high; transcends the genre — a polished thriller, the odds of success low, yet he an intricate puzzle, a love story, and a A WOLF AT THE TABLE succeeded – although fewer than first-rate novel.’ — The New York Times Augusten Burroughs 20 people in the world had ever had their vision restored Picador. PB. $32.95 after a lifetime of blindness. Staff review Augusten Christopher’s Ghosts THE RECOLLECTIONS OF Burroughs, MR MANOLY LASCARIS Charles McCarry author of the Vrasidas Karalis ‘McCarry is the best modern writer on the hilarious Brandl & Schlesinger. PB. $26.95 subject of intrigue ... read Dostoyevsky’s childhood Vrasidas Karalis The Possessed or Conrad’s The Secret memoir Running With recalls his Agent for worthwhile comparisons.’ encounters — P.J. O’Rourke Scissors (and brother of John with Manoly Elder Robison, author of Look Me Lascaris, in The Eye) turns to the story of Patrick White’s www.scribepublications.com.au their father in A Wolf At the Table. life partner. Lascaris Visit Scribe’s website to sign up for your monthly e-news Before his parents divorced, and his mother consecrated her life to the emerges as a 14 Books distinct intellectual in his own with Process. It’s a book about right, talking not just about Patrick making, and about understanding. White, but also more generally We come away knowing a great deal BOLD NEW about Australia and Greece. more than we did. Alan Loney is Lascaris’s ideas off er new perspec- a beautiful stylist – lucid and AUSTRALIAN FICTION tives on White’s work and their compelling. He takes us into the relationship. heart of that question: How is a from book actually made? It is an ultra- THE WORLD IS WHAT fi ne book whose growth he charts, TEXT PUBLISHING IT IS: THE AUTHORISED but what happens happens, in petto, BIOGRAPHY OF with all printed books. I have never V.S. NAIPAUL seen paper, ink or type described in Patrick French such a sexy way, let alone the charac- Bo!fnpujpobm!pezttfz! Picador. PB. $32.95 ter of pen nibs. For all its refi nement joup!uif!ifbsu!pg!b! Th is magnifi - of style and subject matter this text dbmbnjupvt!dfouvsz cent authorised is, as my late professor used to say, biography has a rattling good read. ÕCjseÖ!xbt!gbnpvtÒxbsujnf! been lavished Chris Wallace-Crabbe is a renowned sfgvhff-!ßgujft!npwjf!tubsmfu-! with praise for writer, poet and academic tjyujft!qbsuz!hjsm-!esvh.dibshfe! its unstinting bdpmzuf!pg!uif!kb{{!hsfbut-!boe! approach and WARRIOR POETS ßobmmz-!Cveeijtu!ovo/!Opx-! consummate Benjamin Gilmour ifs!ebvhiufs!Bob.Tpßb!gffmt! style. Patrick Pier 9. PB. Normally $32.95 uif!offe!up!dpogspou!uif! French had extensive access to Our special price $27.95 hiptut!pg!uif!qbtu/ Naipaul’s personal papers and to On a journey RRP $32.95 the author himself, yet this is by no through the means a hagiography. In fact, it is remote North as complex, candid, controversial West Frontier and deeply fascinating as his of Pakistan, B!ebslmz!dpnjd!boe! subject. ‘[It] must have taken Australian ibvoujoh!npefso!gbcmf nerves of iron to write. Its clarity, Benjamin Xifo!Ojdl!Dbsnpez!bhsfft! ‘ SPECIAL PRICE honesty, even-handedness, its Gilmour up!ublf!uif!gbmm!gps!ijt!pme! panoramic range and close discovered an gsjfoe!Ebooz!Hsphbo-!if! emotional focus, above all its astonishing culture – one of strong virtually unprecedented access to beliefs and a suspicion of outsiders, ibt!op!jefb!xibu!ifÖt!tfuujoh! the dark secret life at its heart, a love of Lollywood fi lms and an jo!npujpo-!ps!xibu!tjojtufs! make it one of the most gripping obsession with making guns. With gpsdft!bsf!bu!xpslÊ biographies I’ve ever read.’ – Hilary unstoppable determination, Spurling, Guardian Benjamin decided to return a year later to make a movie about those THE PRINTING OF tribal regions – despite the fact that RRP $32.95 A MASTERPIECE he had never actually made a fi lm Alan Loney before and that it was illegal and Black Pepper. PB. $25.95 extremely dangerous for him to do B!qspgpvoe!nfejubujpo! Guest review so. Warrior Poets is his story. po!ejtqmbdfnfou-! I cannot think of any work SYDNEY JOURNALS: optubmhjb!boe!fyjmf that resembles REFLECTIONS, 1970-2000 ÕJuibdb/!J!dboopu!sfdbmm!uif! Th e Printing of Antigone Kefala ßstu!ujnf!J!ifbse!uif!xpse/!Ju! a Masterpiece. Giramondo. PB. $27.95 ibt!bmxbzt!cffo!uifsf!mjlf!bo! It is a memoir Poet Antigone bodjfou!mpohjoh!xfmmjoh!vq! of the fl owing Kefala establish- gspn!uif!tfbÊÖ intermesh of es herself as one typography, of Australia’s ink-and-paper, Renaissance cultural great diarists history and deeply personal, hands- in this sharply RRP $32.95 on knowledge. It is about the captured, printing of an exquisite book, an intimately object in which every stage of observed book. craftsmanship has been scrupu- Writing from her Sydney home over Out next lously considered. Inside the 30 years, dropping in on everywhere month from printer’s narrative there grows, like from Broken Hill to Prague and something marvellous in a tropical Paris over that period, she records the author of aquarium, Leonardo da Vinci’s a world sustained by conversation Eucalyptus incipient book on Nothing. Th e and friendship among her milieu, printing of a masterpiece pays its most of them writers, intellectuals THE PAGES $34.95 tribute to predecessors and and émigrés. At the same time, she exemplars; to Aldus Manutius, captures the changing domestic and Joseph Moxon or Eric Gill. Th e public life of the period, with great www.textpublishing.com.au reader is gently led to feel inward atmosphere and sense of place.

15 Books

drought, dense and diseased zones, Environment the fundamental need for water Love Marriage CLIMATE CODE RED: has contributed to competition THE CASE FOR ripe for confl ict. Maude Barlow’s V.V Ganeshananthan EMERGENCY ACTION call for a Blue Covenant is a solution: the codifi cation of ‘In this globe-scattered Sri Lankan family David Spratt & Phillip Sutton water as a human right, thereby we speak only of two kinds of marriage. The protecting water from its commod- Scribe. PB. $27.95 first is the Arranged Marriage. The second is ifi cation as a market product. Th is bracing Maloti Ray is a freelance reviewer the Love Marriage.’ An outstanding debut and necessary novel of fractured family relationships new book tells CLIMATE CHANGE: WHAT in modern Sri Lanka. Perfect for fans of us that we need $32.99 YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT Weidenfeld and Nicolson Rohinton Mistry and Michael Ondaatje. to think the Trade Paperback unthinkable: Paul Holper the global & Simon Torok warming crisis Macmillan. PB. $29.95 is far worse Climate than governments and offi cial change, The Brutal Art reports have indicated – and we’re brought on almost at the point of no return. by global Jesse Kellerman Th e authors reveal extensive, warming, is the meticulously documented scientifi c most vital issue Selling an abandoned collection of evidence that show the dangers we on the planet. disturbing artwork had seemed like a face. Climate Code Red argues for It will pro- good idea to art dealer Ethan Muller. an immediate end to the politics of foundly aff ect But when the police start asking compromise. It is no longer a case our lives, the lives of our children questions about murder victims, the of how much more we can ‘safely’ and our children’s children. Th is drawings seem to look less like art and $32.99 emit, but whether we can quickly book tells you everything you need more like evidence – and he begins Sphere enough stop emissions and produce to know about the causes and mech- anisms of climate change and global fearing for his own life. Trade Paperback a deliberate cooling before the earth’s climate system reaches a warming and, vitally, what YOU runaway trajectory that is beyond can do about it as an individual. any hope of human restoration. Australian Politics BLUE COVENANT Fearless Fourteen Maude Barlow QUARTERLY ESSAY 30: Schwartz. PB. $29.95 LAST DRINKS Janet Evanovich Guest review Paul Toohey At the universal Black Inc. PB. $15.95 Personal vendettas, hidden treasure, and scale, swathes Staff review a monkey named Carl will send bounty of water Th is fascinating hunter Stephanie Plum on her most visually Quarterly Essay explosive adventure yet. Special world distinguish looks at the wide release – 17th June 2008. Earth as the Northern $32.99 blue planet. At Territory Headline Review the molecular intervention Trade Paperback scale, water is a from the signifi cant part of living beings; life perspective on Earth originated from and is of a Darwin- supported by natural water systems. based journalist with an intimate City of Thieves For all its life-giving properties, is working knowledge of the situation David Benioff water a need or a right? Who leading up to the intervention, the controls access to water? Who is way it unfolded on the ground, Leningrad is under siege when 17-year- responsible for safeguarding water and the politics behind it. He old Lev is thrown into jail for looting. He systems? Maude Barlow poses – also writes about the personalities is joined by Kolya, an aristocratic young and answers – these questions, involved: Mal Brough, blunt, pas- describing how powerful corpora- sionate, a ‘drill sergeant’; NT Chief deserter. The next morning, instead of tions, state and international Minister Clare Martin, whose po- the anticipated firing squad, they face an institutions trade on water access. litically motivated inactivity on the NKVD colonel, whose daughter is getting $32.99 Examples alarm. In 1992, the UN situation of Aboriginal communi- married. They must find a dozen eggs for Sceptre agreed with the World Bank and ties led to the federal intervention; the wedding cake, or die... Trade Paperback water companies that the ‘econom- the well-meaning but destructive ic value’ of water justifi ed privatised white lawmen who regularly water services for the global South. bargained down Aboriginal men In Australia, where the government from murder to manslaughter in has recently purchased $2.9 billion the spirit of cultural sensitivity. ‘It worth of water rights from farmers, didn’t matter that Brough was an the trade is between drinking water insensitive thug,’ he refl ects. www.hachette.com.au and agricultural resource. In ‘Insensitivity was urgently

16 Books required.’ Toohey welcomed the TERROR: FROM intervention on the grounds that TYRANNICIDE something had to be done – not TO TERRORISM In Turkey I am Beautiful: Between Chaos and about child sex abuse, which was Brett Bowden Madness in a Strange Land – Brendan Shanahan the offi cial impetus for action, but When Brendan Shanahan returned to & Michael Davis (eds) Turkey after two years to catch up with about the more general neglect UQP. PB. $45 of Aboriginal children and the old friends he eventually agreed to run Terror and their carpet shop in Istanbul. With violence meted out to Aboriginal terrorism are only the dubious help of his carpet- women. He does express doubts, hot topics dealer friend, a lovable but frequently though, particularly about the in today’s demanding bi-polar drug addict, the abolition of the CDEP programs post-9/11 results were often disastrous, frequently that provided valuable employ- world. But hilarious and occasionally poignant. ment, moving 7000 Aboriginals From carpet selling to shepherding, what is ter- this is the story of an Australian man’s onto welfare. He concludes that ror? How is chaotic adventures in Turkey! the intervention, clumsy though it it described, was, was a good thing – and that measured and experienced? the ALP’s (well-meaning) watering Th e authors look to European The Bitter Sea: Coming of Age in a down of some measures jeopardises history for answers, exploring the intervention’s most valuable China before Mao – Charles N. Li landmark events ranging from the In this exceptional memoir, readers gains. Candid and incisive. Gunpowder Plot of 1605 to the will experience not only the growth Jo Case is Editor of London Underground bombings pains of China undergoing torturous Readings Monthly of 2005. Terror boasts a foreword rebirth, but will also gain an intimate by Geoff rey Robertson, QC. understanding of the intricate, subtle, THE MELBOURNE and yet all-powerful motivations and TRAM BOOK ties that bound the traditional Chinese Dale Budd family. Lyrical and luminous, intense History and illuminating, The Bitter Sea is the UNSW Press. PB. $24.95 MCMAFIA unique tale of the coming-of-age of Quirky, Misha Glenny one young man and his country. compact and endearing – the BBC Books. PB. $34.95 second edition Journalist of this Misha Glenny colourful exposes the tribute to a underbelly of Melbourne the new icon beautifully globalisation captures the essence of one of the – a world where people When Friendship Hurts city’s most beloved symbols. How to deal with friends who betray, More than 200 photographs and are increasingly abandon or wound you (Jan Yager) connected, and both people and illustrations show the evolution The pain of losing a friend through betrayal of Melbourne’s trams, from their money fl ow freely across borders. or unfair behaviour is rarely discussed, beginnings to the newest models. It’s a world with unprecedented yet widely experienced. Sociologist and opportunities for getting rich. friendship coach Dr Jan Yager helps us understand how to deal with and move on Th at’s why today’s international from destructive friendships, decide if a Politics crime scene is more pervasive than friendship is worth saving, and negotiate ever before, particularly in the friendships at work. RRP $24.95 SUPERCAPITALISM fallen states of Russia and its Robert Reich former empire, where Glenny is Thriving at School, 2nd edition Scribe. PB. $32.95 most compelling. He talks to A practical guide to help your child Robert Reich enjoy the crucial school years gangsters, policemen, and victims (Dr John Irvine & John Stewart) shows that of organised crime and delves into Current research shows that our children’s while super- the activities of drugs, illegal labour success in life will depend less on their IQ capitalism and traffi cking in arms and women. and more on their emotional intelligence. – the evolved Th is is smart writing and thinking This practical guide is deigned to help off spring of parents develop their children’s attitudes, on a topic often relegated to tabloid values and good habits, so they can be mid-twentieth journalism. happy and effective learners. RRP $24.95 century capitalism – is THE NATURES OF MAPS Helping Your Baby to Sleep working wonderfully to enlarge the Why gentle techniques work best Denis Wood (Anni Gethin & Beth Macgregor) economic pie, democracy – caring University of Chicago Press. for all citizens – is on a downhill HB. $100 Arguing against the practice of controlled slide. Supercapitalism shows how crying or sleep training, the authors (who Th is curious ERWKZRUNLQWKH¿HOGVRILQIDQWPHQWDOKHDOWK widening inequalities of income book dissects and child development) present important and wealth, heightened job a variety of research into babies’ emotional and brain insecurity and the eff ects of global development. They offer a range of gentle nature maps – sleep techniques that take into account a warming are the logical outcomes from depic- baby’s natural sleep habits. RRP $24.95 of capitalism gone mad – and what tions of species’ it all means for the relationships habitats to the  4YFPMWLIVWSJFSSOWSRJEQMP]LIEPXL between governments, big business reaches of the  VIPEXMSRWLMTW WSGMIX] and the average citizen. Milky Way  [[[½RGLGSQEY

17 Books

– and reveals the way that every sive collection: Richard Dawkins aspect of their presentation, from has selected 100 pieces of the very THE FEDERATION PRESS place names to titles, collaborates fi nest science writing, from great to mount an argument about real- thinkers such as Albert Einstein, ity. Richly illustrated and wittily Stephen Pinker, Francis Crick, The Book of the Board 2nd edition argued, this is a marvellously clever Stephen Jay Gould, Jared Diamond Effective governance for non-profit organisations and entertaining look at the dif- and Rachel Carson. An illuminat- David Fishel fi culties of ‘objectivity’. ing journey through the workings of our universe, and a must-read This invaluable handbook for boards and board members of non- PARADISE LOST for science buff s. profi t organisations explains the purpose of a board in a non-profi t Giles Milton organisation; the board’s formal and legal responsibilities; and the main Sceptre. PB. Normally $35 BONK: areas where a board can add to the organisation’s eff ectiveness. Our special price $27.95 THE CURIOUS COUPLING This second edition, while retaining an overall structure similar to the fi rst edition, has been Staff review OF SEX AND SCIENCE fully revised and updated to refl ect developments in the non-profi t environment. Particular Paradise Lost is Mary Roach revisions include: a new Checklists section; eight new interviews from Australian non-profi t Giles Milton’s Text. PB. $34.95 organisations in the fi elds of environment, sports, arts and youth development; a new account of the Mary Roach is chapter on alliances and mergers; eight new Resources, including governance charters, running a planning retreat, CEO appraisal and committee structures; new charts and destruction of no humourless diagrams, and three new contributors. the Turkish city scientist: she ISBN 978 1 86287 689 7 RRP $59.95 of Smyrna. Th e writes about Serial Survivors book is based her subjects on eyewitness (formerly, the Women’s narratives of surviving rape accounts of the science of ca- Jan Jordan events that unfolded in September davers and the 1922. Greek forces had previously afterlife, respec- What does it mean to survive an experience often described as “every woman’s worst nightmare”? This book presents the survival stories of defeated Turkey in 1919, continu- tively) with a winning combination 15 women who were all sexually assaulted by the same serial rapist in ing pre-existing hostilities between of irreverence, curiosity and smarts. Auckland, New Zealand. Their stories show how each stage of the aftermath became its own the two countries. Since the She wears her knowledge lightly. In exercise in survival – the assault, medical examinations, police interviews, going to court. Ottomans’ fall of 1897, the city Bonk, she ventures into the world of They also demonstrate how a sexual attack can impact not only the woman but also the of Smyrna was a predominately sex research, and fi nds that polyester people close to her; for when one woman is raped, a whole community hurts. Christian city. By early 1900, clothing is unattractive, even on ISBN 978 1 86287 679 8 RRP $39.95 Greeks had used the city’s port ac- rats; the most important thing in cess and settled there, as had Arme- improving sex is to talk about it; www.federationpress.com.au nians, Americans, Levantines and and that the pioneering age of sex other Europeans. Smyrna’s location research in the 1960s and 1970s and natural resources had attracted has given way to an era in which great interest. It had become at- conservative groups lobby aggres- June’s tractive to the Allied forces after sively against funding. She and her Best Non-fiction AUSTRALIA World War I; they decided to take husband even take part in a study it away from the Turks, who had themselves ... talk about immersion The Writings of Walter sided with Germany. Greek forces journalism! Read it in bed. Burley Griffin defeated the Turks, taking control of the city. From the ashes of this Edited by Dustin Griffin defeat rose the Turkish Nationalist Philosophy For the first time ever the complete writings and lectures of Movement, led by Mustafa Kemal this great architect and designer are collected in one single THE BOOK OF DEAD volume. Sumptuously produced in large format hardback (Ataturk) – who stirred up the on art gloss paper, it features reproductions of Griffin’s Muslim population that eventually PHILOSOPHERS designs, plans and buildings throughout. Each entry is con- entered Smyrna on 9 September Simon Critchley textualised with a short essay by Griffin’s grandnephew. 1922, intent on purging the city MUP. PB. Normally $29.95 HB 978-0521-89713-6 $199.00 512 pages of all that was not Turkish. Milton’s Our special price $24.95 book brilliantly captures the sense Staff review The Battle for Wau of foreboding, and highlights the Th e noble New Guinea’s Frontline 1942-1943 lack of protection awarded to the premise of By Phillip Bradley innocents of Smyrna. It is both this book is Announcing the first title in our new collaboration with the compelling and sad. to show how Australian Army - the official Australian Army History series. This the ultimate is the first book-length study of this key WWII battle, which took Michael Awasoga-Samuel is place so perilously close to our shores. Over seventy survivors of from Readings Carlton project of the the battle were interviewed in the making of this important new history of

work from the acclaimed author of On Shaggy Ridge. ‘ SPECIAL PRICE philosophy is HB 978-0-521-89681-8 $75.00 384 pages Science to teach us to accept death, and by doing so, Empire, Barbarism THE OXFORD teach us how to live. Critchley and Civilisation BOOK OF MODERN spends the opening chapters SCIENCE WRITING Captain Cook, William Hodges and the describing how philosophy in the Return to the Pacific Richard Dawkins (ed.) western tradition diff ers from both By Harriet Guest OUP. HB. $65 theologies and eastern or new-age Featuring 50 colour plates, this beautiful volume highlights the ‘If you could only ever read one philosophies, by not focusing on work of William Hodges, the artist who travelled with Cook on science book, this should probably an afterlife, or the preparation for his second voyage to the Pacific. be it,’ concluded the reviewer from it in this life, but rather on the HB 978-0-521-88194-4 $150.00 270 pages New Scientist. And it is an impres- everyday and constant acceptance

18 Books of death-as-the-end as the only this fascinating extinct group. means of truly grasping life and Palaeontologist and popular living it. Th is is all good, and science author John Long provides Barbarians To Angels there are great examples of an easily readable text that explains The Dark Ages Reconsidered philosophers’ lives and deaths that each of the steps in going from Peter S Wells show that this is not merely dinosaur to bird, and how fl ight 7KLVERRNVKHGVOLJKWRQWKH theoretical, but very much a way evolved. least appreciated yet profoundly of life (and death). And in the important period of European cases of the lives that exemplify KLVWRU\WKHVRFDOOHG'DUN$JHV this, Critchley is at his best – in Business Peter S Wells, one of the world's brief little anecdotal listings TYPO leading archaeologists, surveys describing these lives and deaths the archaeological record to and the philosophies that David Silverman Scribe. PB. $35 GHPRQVWUDWHWKDWWKH'DUN$JHV accompanied them. Th e claim of 1RUWRQ‡+DUGEDFN ZHUHQRWGDUNDWDOO this book, however, is that all of Typo is a $32.95 these deaths are supposed to tell us story of the how to best deport ourselves American toward death and life – and I’m dream run not sure that it holds up. And of aground: what Rilke and Andreas-Salomé course, when you think about the happened A Love Story in Letters premise, why would philosophers, when one Translated by Edward Snow if they acknowledge death in order man poured and Michael Winkler his father’s life to live their lives, actually have He would become one of the most savings into buying a business, and much to say about death at all? important poets of the 20th how he lost it all. David Silverman’s Andrew Cornish is Manager century; she a muse of Europe's candid, often entertaining account of Readings Carlton ÀQGHVLHFOHWKLQNHUVDQGDUWLVWV shows what happens when part of In this collection of letters, Rainer an entire industry is lost, and how 0DULD5LONHDSRHWDQG/RX$QGUHDV Natural History that impacts American business. Salomé pen a relationship that spans Th is book has been widely lauded \HDUVDQGVKLIWLQJERXQGDULHV THE FLOWER HUNTERS for its insights into the tribulations 1RUWRQ‡3DSHUEDFN Mary & John Gribbin of running a business. ‘It is no $24.95 OUP. HB. $55 wonder that at least one business Th e fl ower school is making it mandatory www.johnwiley.com.au/trade hunters were reading for anyone considering intrepid starting their own business.’ explorers, – Th e Independent whose journeys were fraught by danger, Sport shadowed by the prospect of BLAZING SADDLES a grisly death, and inspired by Matt Rendell passion, dedication and the lure of Quercus. PB. Normally $29.95 fame and fortune. Th is fascinating Our special price $24.95 book details the lives and careers of Few sporting 11 remarkable, eccentric and contests have sometimes obsessive individuals roused such who travelled the world and blind established the science of botany. passions and fi lthy suspicions as FEATHERED DINOSAURS John Long & Peter ‘ SPECIAL PRICE the Tour de Schouten France. From Lance Armstrong’s incredible CSIRO. HB. $49.95 comeback from cancer, to Tom Feathered Simpson’s death on the slopes of Dinosaurs Mont Ventoux, the Tour has been dramatically the stage for some of sport’s most brings to life all monumental triumphs and darkest the known hours. Since Maurice Garin’s groups of inaugural victory in 1903, dinosaurs that hundreds of thousands of bore feathers. kilometres have been covered in Th rough the pursuit of the yellow jersey, eyes of one of the world’s most cycling’s holy grail, and few have acclaimed natural history artists, been without incident or drama. Peter Schouten, their peculiar physical traits are matched with living creatures to develop a series of imaginative life paintings of

19 Books

dissatisfi ed – not just in work, Essays but in life. A deeply meditative, CONTRARY RHETORIC: thoughtful book. LECTURES ON LANDSCAPE AND STOLEN TOMORROWS Steven Levenkron The Parthenon Marbles LANGUAGE John Kinsella WW Norton. PB. $21.95 The Case for Restitution FACP. PB. $29.95 Th e psycho- Christopher Hitchens, bestselling author of God is Not Great John Kinsella’s therapist The opening of the New Acropolis Museum in author of the Athens in spring 2008 provides the opportunity essays are to re-state the case for return of the Elgin concerned with groundbreak- Marbles to Athens. The British Museum's long- culture, place, ing Cutting has standing objection that there is nowhere in and poetic produced a Athens to house the Marbles is answered in language. From breakthrough emphatic style by Christopher Hitchens in book that will this elegantly argued and characteristically the ‘city’ to the forthright book. ‘bush’, and encourage the 30 per cent of women who have $39.95 Pb, ISBN 978-184467-252-3 with ‘prospect’ Publish June 2008, 192 pages and ‘refuge’ of landscape in mind, experienced childhood sexual abuse Verso his focus is up close. Looking at to think about, talk about and seek region through an international help for their secret shame. Th is Sex and Philosophy lens, he examines subjects as diverse book gives helpers and therapists Rethinking de Beauvoir and Sartre as the pastoral tradition, the fl ag, an empathic insight into the Edward Fullbrook and Kate Fullbrook forest protests, the meanings of the trauma of abuse – emotional and Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were two of the most letterbox, the Western Australian psychological impacts, situations brilliant, influential, and scandalous intellectuals of the 20th wheatbelt, racism and opera. and settings in which abuse takes century. They are remembered as much for the place, the child’s experiences. lives they led as for their influence on the way Kinsella is always willing to we think. Through a thorough examination challenge his audience. Survivors of abuse will recognise of Sartre and de Beauvoir's major works, the their personal history and journey authors present a compelling story of their GREAT AUSTRALIAN to recovery within these pages. romantic amd intellectual relationships. EULOGIES $39.95 Pb, ISBN 978-184706-066-2 New from Palgrave Macmillan Macmillan Palgrave from New Publish June 2008, 288 pages Richard Walsh (ed.) Continuum A&U. PB. $24.95 Parenting Th is quirky THE ATTACHMENT and oddly CONNECTION inspirational Ruth P. Newton book draws New Harbinger. PB. $26.95 together the Despite what most moving current fads in NEW and striking parenting SOUTH Australian might suggest, eulogies – a secure some for the famous, others for emotional ordinary people, extraordinarily attachment remembered. Th is is the eulogy between parent as celebration of life. and child is more important to a child’s cognitive development than fl ash Psychology cards and Baby Einstein toys. A LIFE AT WORK Grounded in solid scientifi c Thomas Moore research, this book looks at the Piatkus. PB. $35 biology of attachment theory, In the showing how attunement with bestselling their parents helps children to grow Care of the into well-adjusted, emotionally and Soul, Th omas psychologically stable and resilient Moore wrote adults. about ‘the great malady of the twentieth cen- READINGS WILEY/ tury ... the loss NORTON PROMOTION The F Word of soul’. Now, he turns to an aspect Receive 20% Jane Caro & Catherine Fox off selected Wiley/ of modern life that many of us How is it possible that, even in the 21st century, women carry the burden of guilt for defi ne ourselves by – work. A Life Norton titles having a messy home? Why is motherhood still a career killer? Why are women at Work is about fi nding the right at Readings for paid so much less than men? How has ‘feminism’ become the F word? In their job and, in the process, uncovering the month lively, insightful and warm-hearted book, feminists Jane Caro and Catherine Fox of June.Prices as ORRNDURXQGDQGÀQGWKDWVH[XDOLQHTXDOLW\LVVWLOOIULJKWHQLQJO\SUHYDOHQW and becoming the person you were marked. While stocks last. Avail- RRP: $29.95 meant to be. If you don’t do work that connects with your deep soul, able at Readings Carlton, Haw- www.unswpress.com.au he writes, you may always be thorn and St Kilda shops only.

20 Books

CHINA: A HISTORY on the castle accidentally one sum- SUSTAINABLE Books on China John Keay mer, De Blasi is befriended by the FASHION & TEXTILES Maybe it’s the Olympics, maybe HarperCollins. HB. $59.99 elderly, imperious yet still beautiful Kate Fletcher it’s having a Prime Minister who is an authoritative, engaging history patron of the Villa Donnafugata, Earthscan. PB. $70.95 speaks Mandarin, maybe it’s that encompasses regions like Man- Tosca Brozzi, who tells Marlena the This inspirational design handbook because it threatens to be the churia, Tibet and Mongolia that are story of her lifelong love story with presents a new vision of sustainabil- world’s next superpower ... what- rarely included in histories of this the last prince of Sicily, descended ity in the fashion and textile sector, ever the reason, books on China country. This book is informed by from the French nobles of Anjou. based on design thinking and prac- are big business at the moment. a wider knowledge of Asian history. tice. It brings together for the first time information about life-cycle BEIJING BLUR Art & Design environmental impacts, practi- James West By Margaret Snowdon cal alternatives, design concepts Viking. PB. $29.95 Travel and social innovation, and frames LE CORBUSIER LE them in a sustainability context. It Staff review LONELY PLANET OFFER In 2005 James GRAND challenges existing ideas about the Take a bite out West, a young Jean-Louis Cohen scope and potential of sustainable of your hotel bill! journalist at & Tim Benton fashion and textiles, and sets out a Purchase any the ABC Phaidon Books. HB. $250 broader, more inter-connected and Lonely Planet guidebook and in Sydney, Our special price $225 forward-looking picture, drawing receive a voucher for $25 off any landed an A spectacular on ideas of human needs, industrial Expedia.com.au Special Rate exchange job visual ecology, speed and rhythms, and Hotel purchase of $100 or more! at China Radio biography of participatory actions, as well as Lonely Planet have 1000 vouchers International the life and knowledge of materials. to give away so hurry and purchase in Beijing. Part of his job was to work of the your guidebook from a Readings massage passages such as ‘Central greatest A PLACE IN store now! Conditions apply Committee General Office and architect of the THE COUNTRY – see voucher for details. State Council General Office twentieth Stephen Crafti century, Craftsman House. HB. $69.95 recently issued opinions on further THE ROAD GETS containing approximately 2,000 A Place in the strengthening and improving the BETTER FROM HERE images and documents, many Country is a construction and management Adrian Scott of minor extracurricular activi- previously unpublished, represent- stylish look Vivid. PB. $29.95 ties’ into something approaching ing the full range of Le Corbusier’s at the new An engrossing English. But James is also young, architecture and his art. Barely seen architecture and entertain- and gay, and wants to see what’s photographs and correspondence of rural ing story of one going on. His first night is spent shed new light on his relationships Australia and man’s lone at a rave party on the Great Wall, with Josephine Baker, Eileen Gray, New Zealand. journey to fulfil where he’s told the only Chinese Fernand Leger, Pablo Picasso, Jean Forty-seven a lifelong he’ll need is Sui bian: ‘whatever’. Prouve and many others. rural retreats have been superbly dream. Join What he finds is a society that is, in photographed and are presented Adrian Scott as, one sense, disengaged – except at KARA WALKER: in their natural settings; from with virtually a very personal level. His encoun- MY COMPLEMENT, bushland to mountain top, the lush no experience and no support, he ters with the largely underground MY ENEMY, MY tropics to open farmland – these rides a basic stock motorbike 20,000 gay community reveal a group OPPRESSOR, MY LOVE designs are innovative, as well as kms across nine countries in three that only ‘wants to be happy’. His Philippe Vergne, et. al sensitive to their unique environ- months – from a remote corner of most poignant friendship is with Walker Art Centre HB $79.95 ments. Crafti, also the bestselling Siberia (battling giant mosquitoes a young Chinese man, Jack, who Kara Walker author of Beach Houses Down and driving rain, avoiding wild reveals that his father was executed is among the Under, comprehensively covers all bears) deep into central Russia and for minor drug crimes. What most complex styles: timber, concrete forms, steel on to remote western China, ancient emerges is an image of a conform- and prolific construction and rammed earth Persia and exotic Istanbul. A ist, narcissistic society, manipulated American art- housing and also conversion and rollicking tale of sheer physical and controlled, hankering after the ists of her renovation projects. This is fresh endurance, with a disparate cast of gadgets, trappings and products of generation. inspiration and practical informa- eccentric guest stars: drug-addled the twenty-first century – perhaps Over the past tion for anyone seeking or even just soldiers, tough Siberian truck not so different to us? decade, she dreaming about a ‘treechange’. drivers, crazy modern-day traders Mark Rubbo is Managing has gained international recogni- and desperate villagers. Director of Readings tion for her room-sized tableaux, A FIELD GUIDE which depict historical narratives TO THE NORTH THAT SUMMER IN SICILY BITTER SEA haunted by sexuality, violence and AMERICAN FAMILY Charles Li Marlena De Blasi subjugation and are made using the Garth Risk Halberg A&U. PB. $32.95 HarperCollins, PB, $33 paradoxically genteel eighteenth- Mark Batty Publisher. HB. $39.95 The bestselling This book recounts one Chinese century art of cut-paper silhouettes. Whimsy, anthropology and an author of man’s journey through a rapidly Set in the antebellum American artist’s eye for the poetry of the A Thousand changing China, from his birth South, Walker’s compositions play everyday, combine to create a Days in Venice in a Nanjing mansion during off of stereotypes to portray, often delightful A to Z of family life. explores the World War II, the son of a grotesquely, life on the plantation, You can create you own narrative fairytale government official, to his emigra- where masters, mistresses and slave by cross-referencing entries to suit landscape of a tion to England 21 years later, leav- men, women and children enact a your own tastes. Quirky, endearing long-forgotten ing behind the chaos of Mao’s subverted version of the past in an and fabulous. Sicilian castle Communist reforms. This is his attempt to reconfigure their status in this enticing tale. After stumbling story of the years in between. and representation. 21 Discover some new friends for life… Kids’ Books WALKER PROMOTION STICKY PAWS Walker Books are Clara Vulliamy the publishers of Orchard Books. HB. $24.99 some of the best Staff review contemporary A rather messy, disobedient little picture books – girl learns a lesson in behaving titles like We’re Going on a Bear herself when an even messier Hunt, the Maisy books, Owl Babies bear turns up at her house. and our own Bob Graham’s Th is gorgeous gift pack contains a much-loved titles. Every now wall frieze, picture book and very and again, they have a special cute teddy bear – yes, the bear promotion of the ‘buy two, get with sticky paws himself! I can’t one free’ variety. Th is month’s is wait to get my own sticky paws a particularly desirable one. Buy on this rambunctious story – two specially-stickered picture and the bear is defi nitely coming paperbacks and get a glorious to hang out at my house. hardback novelty book for free. Luna Soo is from Readings St Kilda Th e choice of free books is either Dear Mermaid – an enchanting LITTLE BEAUTY book full of letters, gifts and pop- Anthony Browne ups, or Tractor Factory – full of Walker. HB. $27.95 detail and moveable tractor parts. Once there was a Now a new generation can discover the best-loved Th ese are both lovely books which very special Puffin Classics ever. Each timeless tale will invigorate a love would make a great birthday or gorilla who lived of reading in your child as they become immersed in a world brimming special occasion present. in a zoo. He had with colourful characters, intriguing mystery and wild adventure! been taught sign language and had PICTURE BOOKS everything he TALES FROM OUTER needed. But he SUBURBIA was sad. He wanted a friend. Th ere Shaun Tan were no other gorillas, but the A&U. HB. $35 keepers had an idea, and gave him Staff review a friend, a little cat called Beauty. At the recent CBCA THE BEAR WITH THE Civil Ceremonies conference, PUMPKIN EATER Shaun Tan OF PONDICHERRY Program remarked in Bruce Atherton Established 1997 his keynote & Ben Redlich (illus.) address that Lothian. HB. $28.99 what we perceive How do you discourage a greedy as normality is an illusion, and guts pumpkin-eater from when you read these illustrated Pondicherry from feasting on The Graduate Diploma of Civil Ceremonies offered at Monash since short stories you recognise that granddad’s vegie patch? Find out 1997 was the first and remains the premier qualification for Australian civil they are universal themes depicted when you come to Port Melbourne celebrants. From 2009, students who have successfully completed the in a surreal context. Welcome to on Saturday, June 14 at 10am for requirements for the Grad Dip Civ Cer may undertake a further semester of study for the award of Master of Civil Ceremonies. Tan’s world, where reality is skewed a special reading and morning All communities need professional celebrants. People who understand: and you wonder – if you looked tea! Th is is a delightful laugh-out- sTHEPSYCHOLOGICALNEEDFORRITUAL more carefully, you too might fi nd loud picture book which will have sTHESTRUCTUREANDFUNCTIONOFCEREMONY meaning in places you wouldn’t kids in stitches when that greedy sTHEPOWEROFLITERATURE MUSICANDSYMBOLINTHECEREMONIALCONTEXT expect to. Tales From Outer guts from Pondicherry gets what’s sTHEPOTENTIALINCEREMONYFORENHANCINGCOMMUNITY Suburbia displays Tan’s masterful coming to him! For boys and girls 0ERHAPSYOUHAVEAGREATDEALTOOFFERINTHEROLEOFCOMMUNITYCELEBRANT use of various media to enhance aged 4+. Contact us now for more information. his unique stories. I loved quaint Phone: (03) 9905 2172 ‘Eric’, the evocative richness of LITTLE BLUE Email: [email protected] www.arts.monash.edu.au/religion-theology/civil/index.php ‘No Other Country’, the wisdom Gaye Chapman The Grad Dip Civ Cer (Monash) is recognised by The Attorney General’s of ‘Grandpa’s Story’ … oh really, Little Hare. HB. $29.99 Department for the purpose of registration as a civil marriage celebrant. I loved them all and I would need Staff review See www.ag.gov.au/celebrants for full details of the registration process. two pages at least to do justice to Gaye Chapman’s last book had a CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C this book, so buy it and fi nd out bewitching Kaito voluminously for yourself: you won’t be disap- draped in red. In Little Blue we pointed. From upper primary on. have a young girl, in a gown of Alexa Dretzke is from blue, searching for home. Th e Readings Hawthorn text and pictures gradually piece together the mystery of Little Blue

22 as Will, the young boy who fi nds AMAZING SPIDERMAN MIDDLE READERS all men, constant and impossible her, gently persuades her his home POP-UP BOOK A BRIEF HISTORY OF to ignore. Suddenly, Todd and his has similarities to hers, and why X-MEN POP-UP BOOK MONTMARAY talking dog Manchee discover a gap not come home with him, which in Both Hardie Grant. HB. Michelle Cooper in the Noise: a girl. Insane priest actual fact is coming home for her. Normally $24.95 Random. PB. $17.95 Aaron also senses the hole. Th e ex- Lushly illustrated and gently told, Our special price $19.95 each On the island kingdom of Mont- istence of women is just one of the Chapman has recreated an art form Grab these deliciously retro collec- maray, in a ramshackle castle above many secrets kept from Todd, and into a beguiling tale. 3 up. AD tors’ editions while stocks last! a cliff top, 16-year-old Sophie con- he unwillingly leaves Prentisstown fi des in her journal. She refl ects on with only a map, Manchee and the UP IN THE TREE the goings-on of the eccentric mem- girl, Viola Eade. Th is novel never Margaret Atwood JUNIOR FICTION bers of her small, close-knit family stops for a moment – its pages Bloomsbury. HB. $18.95 GO GIRL SERIES and their relationship to the few explode with energy. Th e conversa- Th e charming Various Authors surviving inhabitants on this tiny tional writing style compels you to story of two Egmont. PB. Normally 9.95 isle. Given their geographic isolation fi nish the next page, the next chap- children who Our special price $5 there are many challenges but life is ter, with the ending leaving you decide to make Staff review full of secrets and surprises. Sophie’s champing at the bit for the rest of their home in the Th e popular Go story is a wonderfully warm, com- the series! Highly recommended for leafy branches of Girl series, with ing-of-age tale set in 1936 against both boys and girls aged 14 and up. a tree. Th is was its glitzy covers a backdrop of political confusion Jo Boyce, aged 16, is a Readings the fi rst ever and much-loved and rising fascism. It concludes in customer picture book by Margaret Atwood, website, has been nail-biting, heart-racing excitement. and was illustrated and hand- embraced by Highly recommended for girls 13+, lettered by Atwood herself. young readers especially if they adored the much- NON-FICTION aged 7-11 loved story I Capture the Castle. STORY OF THE throughout Australia. What their Athina Clarke is from ORCHESTRA NOVELTY parents and teachers don’t always Readings Port Melbourne Robert Levine THIS DINOSAUR realise is that these junky-looking ABC. HB. $24.95 IS SO BIG books are a highly responsible THEN An exciting, Nick Sharratt publishing venture, aimed at real Morris Gleitzman eye-catching Ladybird. HB. $19.95 girls and their everyday issues. Penguin. PB. $19.95 journey through Staff review While they are fun and easy-to- Long after you’ve fi nished Th en, the the instruments Th is is a big, read, the books set out to be an sequel to Morris Gleitzman’s Once, and music of the colourful, very alternative to the celebrity driven, Felix and Zelda’s story will haunt classical ‘fi rst’ dinosaur consumerist pre-teen culture which you. Th is is a harrowing, yet compel- orchestra, with book. Each page does seem to be rather dominant. ling book that children and adults an accompanying starts ‘Th is ‘Th ere is so much “tweenager” stuff must read. Morris Gleitzman will 70 minute CD. Illustrated in dinosaur is so teaching girls to aspire to mindless appear at our Hawthorn shop on exquisite and colourful detail with BIG it can …’ goals, I was sceptical about the Go Wednesday June 11 at 6.30pm. over 100 original drawings and Th en, with the Girl series with its glitzy covers ... photographs. Th is charming book eight giant magnets included, parent As it turns out, Go Girl books have includes an introduction to each and child can rewrite the story both caught my daughter’s YOUNG ADULT instrument of the orchestra, from together. Eg. Th is dinosaur is so imagination and shown her real-life SUPERIOR SATURDAY: the cello to the timpani; the stories BIG it can jump over a – car, tree, situations and an array of life skills KEYS TO THE KINGDOM of famous composers from Bach to or house etc, depending which to use.’ - J. McIntosh, mother and BOOK 6 Stravinsky; and an explanation of magnet you choose. Lots of fun to child psychologist. While stocks Garth Nix diff erent musical styles from Baroque to Modern. play and tell together or for the over last, we have selected titles in the A&U. PB. $15.95 threes to do on their own, changing series (some even with a free pencil Th e sixth book in MIX UP ART the ‘story’ every time. Can’t wait to case attached) for only $5. A good the fantasy share it with my grandson! chance to try them. KK adventure Keys MIX UP SHAPES Kathy Kozlowski is from to the Kingdom MIX UP WORLD Readings Carlton JOHNNY CATBISCUIT series is here! Herve Tullet TO THE RESCUE Arthur Penhali- All Hardie Grant. HB. $14.95 PRINCESS ROSEBUD: Michael Cox gon has defeated Th ese gorgeous ‘mix-up’ books HOW TO LOVE Egmont. PB. $12.95 fi ve of the seven are triple-layered fun for pre- A UNICORN Twelve-year-old Trustees, but his week is getting schoolers. In Mix-Up Art, bold, Dawn Apperley Wayne Bunn has worse and worse. Can he stop graphic paintings are divided into Orchard. HB. $28.99 just taken on the Saturday’s bid for ultimate power? three sections, so that you can fl ip Find out how a princess loves and job of becoming them back and forth to create your cares for her unicorn and gets an animal saving THE KNIFE OF NEVER own masterpieces. Mix-Up World her in tip-top condition for the superhero LETTING GO takes the world to pieces, creating Unicorn Show. Th e duties include – JOHNNY Patrick Ness some incredible sights - like an pre-show meals, eye-catching mane CATBISCUIT! Walker. HB. $29.95 elephant with a house on its back. and tail decorations, and much And there’s no time to lose, Customer review And in the die-cut delight Mix-Up more! Peek inside to fi nd a poster because the evil Doctor Septic Todd Hewitt, the last boy in Shapes, a collection of shapes are and special rosette: perfect gifts has imprisoned many cute, fl uff y Prentisstown is just 30 days from cut into the pages of the book, for pony-loving little princesses and helpless animals in his labora- turning 13 and becoming a man. introducing pink circle, purple everywhere! tory. So off Johnny goes to get the Todd has never seen a female, only oval, blue square and orange baddies, with a biff and a bash pictures in the other men’s Noise; triangle. and a natty line in Lycra outfi ts. images and thoughts fl owing from Can he save the day? 23 Readings Famous Bargain Table BARGAINS ON THE WEB JESUS THURBER LETTERS ODE LESS TRAVELLED: Our new arrivals are regularly Michael Grant James Thurber UNLOCKING THE added to our website. Just HB. Was $49.95. Now $14.95 HB. Was $49.95. Now $19.95 POET WITHIN click on the Bargains tab at Renowned Th e letters of Stephen Fry www.readings.com.au. historian Michael James Th urber PB. Was $23.95. Now $9.95 Grant analyses the (1894-1961), Stephen Fry DECODING stories behind the with photographs believes that if THE UNIVERSE: gospels in an and drawings, you can speak and Charles Seife attempt to bring us illuminate a rich read English you HB. Was 39.95. Now $ 16.95 the real Jesus. but diffi cult life. can write poetry. Lucid and Th e book was But it is no fun if exhilarating, this edited by Th urber’s daughter, you don’t know volume probes the NAPOLEON’S MASTER: Rosemary. where to start mind-boggling A LIFE OF PRINCE or have been led to believe that advances in science TALLEYRAND IN THE COMPANY anything goes. that are bringing David Lawday OF THE COURTESAN mankind to the PB. Was $45. Now $14.95 Sarah Dunant JOHN CONSTABLE: brink of a new Explores in detail PB .Was $25. Now $9.95 A KINGDOM OF understanding of the universe, the Talleyrand’s While the Papal HIS OWN mysteries of physics, and the nature perverse relation- city of Rome burns Anthony Bailey of space and time. ship with – brutally sacked PB. Was $35. Now $12.95 Napoleon, whom by an invading Bailey performs DRESDEN: TUESDAY 13 he fought with army including the chronicler’s FEBRUARY 1945 fl attery, courtesy Protestant heretics task with a Frederick Taylor and a straight face. – two of her most novelist’s heart, PB. Was 26.95. Now $13.95 interesting and which is why he is A major work of NEW FLAVOURS OF wily citizens slip away, their the pleasing history on one of THE LEBANESE TABLE stomachs churning on the jewels biographer that he the most destruc- Nada Saleh they have swallowed as the enemy is ... A picture tive acts of war PB. Was $29.95. Now $12.95 breaks down their doors. slowly emerges of a reactionary ever undertaken, Th e food of who became a revolutionary by examined from all Lebanon is one of WOMEN IN HISTORY default ... It’s a picture I fi nd utterly viewpoints. the great cuisines BOXED SET convincing. of the world: Was $99.95. Now $39.95 healthy, simple to Th is fabulous SECRET HISTORY GENERALISSIMO prepare, full of boxed set contains OF AL-QAIDA CHIANG KAI-SHEK AND fresh fl avours and biographies of Abdel Bari Atwan THE CHINA HE LOST sensual aromatics. some of the most PB. Was $27.95. Now $9.95 Jonathon Fenby fascinating women A unique, PB. Was $ 24.95. Now $ 12.95 LIFE CLASS in history. Titles fascinating and With a narrative Pat Barker are: Th e Courtesans invaluable as briskly paced PB.Was $32.95. Now $14.95 (Joanna Richard- perspective on the and vividly When war breaks son); Elizabeth the Great (Elizabeth story of al-Qa‘ida detailed as an out in 1914, Paul Jenkins); Lucrezia Borgia (Maria from a UK-based international Tarrant, a student Bellonci); Cleopatra (Michael Arab Muslim thriller, this at the Slade School Grant); Harriette Wilson’s Memoirs: journalist and

defi nitive biog- of Art, leaves Th e Greatest Courtesan of Her Age expert on the

raphy of Chiang behind his (Lesley Blanch, ed.); Unnatural organisation. Kai-shek masterfully maps his attempted life as Murder: Poison in the Court of James tumultuous political career. an artist and his I (Anne Somerset); Mary Tudor VIRAGO BOOK beautiful fellow-student Elinore to (H.F.M. Prescott). OF GHOST STORIES MAX PERUTZ AND tend to casualties on the front line. Richard Dalby THE SECRET LIFE PRINCE OF AUSTRALIA PB. Was $35. Now $14.95 Georgina Ferry SPECTACLE OF FLIGHT Kevin Childs Absorbing, HB. Was 49.95. Now $16.95 Robert Wohl PB. Was $29.95. Now $13.95 entertaining, Th is is the story of HB. Was $59.95. Now $16.95 A delightful deliciously the father of Elegantly written collection of stories unnerving, this molecular biology and generously about colourful anthology by some whose famous illustrated with Australian of the greatest research team rare photographs characters, storytellers of the uncovered the and art works, this featuring profi les twentieth century structure of DNA. book off ers a of the cheeky, is an irresistible read for those with Georgina Ferry’s gripping account outrageous and a taste for being spooked. story brims with life, has the zest of of aviation and its daring people who shaped an adventure novel and is full of infl uence on modern culture in the Australian culture. fascinating characters. years between 1920 and 1950. 24 New Release DVDs DVD OF THE MONTH BOSS OF IT ALL: HULA GIRLS SWEENEY TODD I’M NOT THERE: DIRECTORS SUITE $34.95. Director: Il Sang Lee $39.95. Director: Tim Burton. LIMITED EDITION $29.95. Director: Lars von Trier. A heart-warming Release date: 6.06.08 $44.95. Director: Todd Haynes Release date: 11.06.08 comedy about coal This tale of a Six actors portray Ravn wants to sell miners’ daughters 19th-century Dylan as a series his company, but a who took a London barber of shifting potential buyer once-in-a-lifetime with revenge on personae – public, wants to negotiate chance to escape his mind and a private and fantas- with his company’s their monotonous blade in his hand tical. Chock full non-existent lives and to has it all: blood, of extras, including president. So he become unwitting heroes to their romance, wit, documentaries, hires an out-of- depressed mining town, as well as exhilarating music and stunning unseen footage, Dylan videos and work actor to play the whole of Japan. visuals. Also available for the first a tribute montage of the late Heath the role ... time Sweeney Todd starring Angela Ledger. Also available: I’m Not CASHBACK Lansbury for only $14.95! There standard edition $39.95 ORCHESTRA SEATS $29.95. Director: Sean Ellis $29.95. Director: Daniele Thomson Ben develops A SOFT SKIN BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Three momentous insomnia after $29.95. Director: François Truffaut BADLANDS events are about to getting dumped by A well-known The Terence occur: the one con- his girlfriend and scholar becomes Malick classic stant is the bubbly ends up working infatuated with an Badlands is now Jessica, who works the late shift at the airline stewardess available for the as a waitress on local supermarket and hopelessly pur- first time on DVD the Avenue to pass the hours, sues the doomed at just $14.95!!! Montaigne. A zesty where he meets a colourful cast of affair. This French comedy. characters, all of whom have their compelling drama own ‘art’ of dealing with boredom. famously echoes THE KITE RUNNER Truffaut’s own life. INSIDE PARIS $39.95. Director: Marc Forster. BELLA $29.95. Director: Richard Chris- Release date: 19.06.08 $39.95. Director: Alejandro Gomez TWO ENGLISH GIRLS tophe Honore. Release date: 18.06.08 An epic tale of Monteverde. Release date: 19.06.08 $29.95. Director: François Truffaut Post break-up, Paul fathers and sons, A true love story Truffaut regular moves back in with of friendship and about how one day Jean-Pierre Leaud his brother and betrayal, that takes in New York is Claude, who on dad. Depressed, he us from the final changes three a turn-of-the- becomes house- days of Afghani- people’s lives century trip to bound. Tension stan’s monarchy to forever. Bella Wales meets the rises when their the atrocities of the reminds us of the Brown sisters,

mother arrives. Taliban reign. surprises that await Anne and Muriel, us each day. beginning a complex and destruc- JOY DIVISION tive romantic ménage a trois. LAST EMPEROR: BARAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION $29.95. Director: David Gebroe. $29.95. Director: Majid Majidi $24.95. Dir: Bernardo Bertolucci Release date: 11.06.08 A GORGEOUS Underneath this The story of Pu Yi, The definitive GIRL LIKE ME fable of sacrifice from his elite documentary $29.95. Director: François Truffaut and devotion is a origins to his about four four The beautiful political film about forced abdication young men from Bernadette Lafont Afghani refugees and eventual post-industrial plays a nympho- suffering in Iran. return to the Manchester, maniac murderess An example of throne. Includes England who made who uses her filmmaking that theatrical version a legendaty band. considerable stares boldly at the and director’s cut. charms to disarm human spirit. MARGOT AT her victims and GLUE THE WEDDING trap unwitting males into 2 DAYS IN PARIS helping her. $24.95. Director: Alexis Dos Santos. $39.95. Director: Noah Baumbach. $39.95. Director: Julie Delpy Release date: 11.06.08 Release date: 19.06.08 Marion and Jack FINALLY SUNDAY Patagonia: Lucas, Margot sets off to attempt to $29.95. Director: François Truffaut a 15-year-old time the wedding of resuscitate their A businessman bomb of hormones, her estranged, relationship with is wanted for the boredom and free-spirited a holiday. But the murder of his family alienation, sister, but from the combination of wife’s lover. His hangs out with minute she meets Marion’s overbear- secretary refuses to mates and copes by her fiance – the ing parents and condemn him and getting high and unemployed artist flirtatious ex-boyfriends only sets out to investi- getting off. Malcolm - Margot starts to plant add fuel to the fire. gate the case. seeds of doubt about the union. 25 DVDs

CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR MY SO CALLED LIFE EXPERIENCE THE VERY BEST OF $39.95. Director: Mike Nichols. $39.95 Release date: 11.06.08 Th e fi rst TV show FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT Th e true story to get adolescence of how a playboy right, this is the congressman, a epic series that renegade CIA launched the agent and a beauti- superstar career of ful Houston social- actress Claire ite joined forces to Danes and served lead the largest and as a role model for many of the most successful covert operation in teen angst oriented shows on history to end the Cold War. television today.

The Soft Skin Two English Girls MISSING CALIFORNICATION François Truff aut’s devastating “One of Truff aut’s best fi lms.” $19.95. Director: Costa-Gavras SEASON ONE portrait of a doomed aff air Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times When an $39.95. Release date: 19.06.08 American freelance David Duchovny writer living in is author Hank Chile at the time Moody, whose life of the 1973 coup is spinning that installed gloriously out of right-wing dictator control as he Augusto Pinochet juggles his sex and disappears, his wife and father drug addictions become embroiled in a far reaching while raising a daughter and trying political conspiracy. A highly to win back the love of his life in A Gorgeous Girl Like Me Finally Sunday! acclaimed political thriller. this edgy new series. Jet black French comedy from François Truff aut’s stylish neo- the great François Truff aut noir thriller and his fi nal fi lm BOUDU SAUVE A COSA NOSTRA DES EAUX (OUR COUNTRY) OUT NOW ON DVD AT ALL GREAT STORES $29.95. Director: Jean Renoir $29.95. Director: Francesca FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO UMBRELLADVD.COM.AU A comic tale of an Comencini. Release date: 11.06.08 anarchistic social What’s the value of outcast, Boudu, a life in a corrupt who attempts city? A Cosa Nostra suicide but is presents an entirely rescued by a diff erent view of prosperous Parisian Italy – in many

NEW FROM HOPSCOTCH bookseller. ways, it’s the grim, dark deep blue BELLA WINE LOVERS’ hues of modern-day Milan that star Inspired by a true in a fi lm about money. story, Bella is a GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA powerful and heart- $39.95 warming story about Th e acclaimed TIGER BRIGADES friendship, family and our capacity for series moves from $24.95 love in the face of the the history of What links a fatal unexpected. 10 QUESTIONS FOR wine-making in bank heist, an Out 19 June. ambitious prince, $39.95 THE DALAI LAMA Australia to the Against the backdrop of an exotic land, a challenges of an opera première, lone filmmaker is granted one hour to ask 10 growing new grape the Chief of Police questions of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. varieties; from and the triple Out 5 June. $29.95 wine-making to alliance between wine etiquette. England, France LUCY SULLIVAN IS and Russia? Tiger Brigades is the SECRETS & LIES French Untouchables. Mike Leigh’s GETTING MARRIED JOY DIVISION: multi-award UNDER REVIEW winning Sixteen-part UK ANIMALIA hilarious, drama series, $19.95 bittersweet adapted from Ian Curtis is $19.95. Release date: 5.06.08 Marian Keyes’ comedy is an eulogised in this Comedy, adven- unmissable and best-selling moving slice of novel, Lucy compelling ture and mystery real life. Sullivan is combine in this Getting Married. documentary, Out 5 June. which traces the fast, fun animated $14.95 Out 5 June. $24.95 brief life of the series featuring two band to its kids, Zoe and Alex, reincarnation as who are swept into New Order after Curtis’ death. a unique world of Includes live footage of the band speaking animals. Based on the 85'*9.5= +4:+8:'/43+4: performing live, and rare photos. highly acclaimed picture book by Graeme Base.

26 and can stand alongside Blood and Chocolate and All This Useless Beauty New Release CDs as proof positive that a little negativ- ity never hurt anyone. He can still SUMMER AT EUREKA LAY IT DOWN sound like a dour smart-arse, but CD of the Month Pete Murray Al Green he’s being doing it for so long it’s really quite endearing. ML ROCKFERRY $29.95 $29.95 Pete Murray is by now a household Al Green hugged Duffy JIM name, the biggest male vocalist me once, and I $29.95 Jamie Lidell So many young in the country. Multi-platinum can still smell albums, Number ones and an abil- the Sta-Fro and $24.95 soul singers Anyone who is familiar with Jamie coming out of ity to call the shots when it comes hear his to his career. He recorded this new bottomless Lidell will surely testify that the the UK at the man is in possession of one hell of moment! album at his home studio on the guffaw and feel the pat of his ringed northern NSW coast which he set fingers on my back. Then he was a voice, even if we have only been Having grown afforded glimpses of his talents up in a small Welsh village, with no up a few years ago. He seems to be gone, back onto stage where he just about the happiest musician continued to smile his ear-to-eterni- on previous outings. With Jim, it record collection, and then leaving would seem that Jamie has come full school at 15 to pursue a singing going around – and that hap- ty smile and tease us with his fake piness can be heard throughout introductions – a juddering halt circle to create a more stripped-back career, Amy Duffy (Duffy to you and soulful sound, the results of and me) admits she had a lot of this album. Musically it is still a three bars into Let’s stay togeth- mainly acoustic pop-rock affair, er while the Reverend asked us at which are glorious. The record kicks catching up do musically. Schooling off with Another Day, a beautiful her in the wonders of Motown, Stax but the angst from earlier albums is length about our relationship with nowhere to be found. DC God, laughing at our frustration. little soul-pop gem which the great and Bacharach was Suede’s Bernard Jackie Wilson would no doubt have Butler, who also co-produced and When I hear him fold his arms on LESSONS TO Tired of Being Alone or whisper on been proud of. From here, we are co-wrote Rockferry. The album is taken on a trip through a collection immersed in 60s style soul and pop BE LEARNED Simply Beautiful or catch the horn Gabriella Cilmi break on Loving You I am a of songs which have the ability to and the distinctive crackly edge to move the listener in more ways than $29.95 goosepimpled neckhair-raised Duffy’s voice shines with a power one. From retro soul to funk and For a CD giggling fool of a man and I love it. reminiscent of Dusty Springfield. even ballads, Lidell has gifted us recorded and When I hear Lay it Down, I can When listening to Rockferry, you with one of the records of the year. arranged by shrug and smile. My relationship need to remind yourself that you’re Declan Murphy is from Sugababes with God may be shaky, but my listening to modern music by a Readings St Kilda hotly-tipped young artist and, as on stalwarts and relationship with Al Green is soon-to-be Franz unsulliable. ML Amy Winehouse’s amazingly HALF SEAS OVER Ferdinand collaborators Xenomaina, successful Back To Black, certain Jeff Lang songs on this album genuinely do and with Saint Etienne input, Amy LIE DOWN IN THE LIGHT $29.95 sound like they were recorded in the Winehouse comparisons seem a Bonnie Prince Billy Having been a staple of the Aus- sixties. Fantastic. little inappropriate. Certainly there’s $29.95 tralian roots scene for close to 20 Morgana Keating is from more soul’n’sass than jazz’n’junk I know, I know – another one. Bon- years and honed his chops playing Readings Hawthorn herein, and if anyone should go in nie Prince Billy seems to be making the ‘for people who like’ box it a CD every two months. What’s with the likes of Albert Collins and should probably be the similarly different about Lie Down in the Rory Gallagher, Jeff Lang should be considered a national treasure. BOWERY youthful-at-debut Joss Stone, Light ? There’s a warmth and a His latest release once again shows Firekites though Ms Cilmi’s cheery bounce is lushness in the arrangements that definitely the sound of a girl acting means the word ‘skeletal’ needn’t the depth of the man’s ability as $29.95 not only a virtuosic guitarist, but as This CD turned up a few weeks ago her age rather than acting the soul appear in this review. There’s a Diva. Fresh as a daisy. relaxed and comfortable voice that a truly fine writer and interpreter in the post. There was no informa- of songs in his own right. His love tion at all about it. But after a few Mark Luffman is from means this reviewer needn’t consult Readings Malvern a thesaurus to avoid the word of the blues is as always present on minutes, I was quickly hooked, as tracks such as Copper Mine and The were my colleagues in the office who ‘squawk’. And there are enough ANYWHERE I epiphanies and affirmations in the Savannah Way, the latter co-written all enquired as to what it was I was with another local favourite, Suzan- playing. This has never happened LAY MY HEAD lyric sheet to make quoting them Scarlett Johansson less like paraphrasing Sartre. What’s nah Espie; but with songs such as before – we are four people who Southern Highlands Daughter and $29.95 the same about it? It’s lovely. ML like generally quite different music. Five Letters he also explores a more The mind may have boggled but the So anyway, it turns out they call folk-influenced sound to stunning ears do not lie – Scarlett Johansson’s MOMOFUKU themselves Firekites and they’re effect. Half Seas Over is a record collection of Tom Waits songs is Elvis Costello from Newcastle (in NSW not the which displays a musician full of quite free of car-crash compulsion $29.95 UK), a bunch of musicians who integrity, dedication to craft and at and wince-inducing whimsy. The Elvis Costello has been trying to be have done other things without too the peak of his powers. DM much success. The easiest compari- narcoleptic down-toned voice is a amused rather than disgusted for small surprise soon forgotten as the rather a long time now – certainly sons I can give you are The Kings of HOWL AND MOAN Convenience and The Sea and The CD progresses and it emerges that since his first record. And since there’s a connection between the then, the more gloriously he fails in Abbe May & The Cake. But Simply Bowery is a beauti- Rockin’ Pneumonia ful record, flowing easily between singer and the songs, and that this that objective, the better his records $24.95 vocal tracks and instrumentals. One isn’t simply some smart idea from have been. For all the cod-classicism Oooh but she does howl and she of the best Australian albums I have some savvy publicist. The only way and jazzzzzz and songsmith bacha- does moan. Western Australian heard in a long time. this was ever going to be spectacular rachannalia, it’s the popping blister Abbe May positively rocks out like Dave Clarke is Readings was as a disaster. It’s not. ML and righteous ire that informs his no other chick I’ve heard for a long Music Division Manager best work. Momofuku has all that, time. Heavy, bluesy guitar riffs with

27 CDs

her incredible wailing vocals make HUNGRY SAW Howl and Moan pack a short but Tindersticks tight punch. Those that saw her per- $24.95 “SMART, FUNNY AND SEXY” formance on Rockwiz last year will The flame lit by pop romantics - GRAZIA know what I mean. For those who Leonard Cohen and Scott Walker “THE YEARS FUNNIEST SMART MOVIE” like it loud. Highly recommended. still burns brightly in UK act The Morgana Keating is from Tindersticks. Their first album in - TIME Readings Hawthorn five years sees them perform as a trio, aided by some guest musicians. HERE BE DRAGONS The results are a lighter, brighter

AVAILABLE JUNE 11 Krista Polvere sound, albeit with their trademark Readings Special Price $14.95 melancholic vocalist Stuart Staples Another young new Aussie gem is delivering the goods. A much easier Krista Polvere, an alternative folk/ listen than the past few efforts. And country artist catching the ears and perhaps due to the fact that there eyes of Ron Sexsmith, Ray LaM- are less members in the band, a less ontagne and Ryan Adams to name chaotic sound is quite welcome. a few. Adams was so impressed he A very welcome return to form. DC took her on tour with him and has collaborated with Krista on Here BEAUTIFUL MACHINE Be Dragons, her debut album. This Shihad is a lovely, refreshing album with $29.95 broad appeal for fans of Mazzy Star, The seventh studio album from one Natalie Merchant and acoustic folk of the most powerful rock bands to music. MK hit our shores opens with a track that is indicative of the whole album SONGS IN A & E – Shihad at their best. One Will Spiritualized Hear The Other kick-starts proceed- $25.95 ings with the perfect levels of muscle Back in the 90s, and melody – a great example of Jason Pierce’s what melodic heavy rock should Spiritualized be. The following tracks build on were one of the the momentum from the brilliant biggest UK acts opener, featuring everything from willing to down and dirty riffing to atmo- challenge pop’s three-minute spheric soundscapes to complete a disposable tune orthodoxy. I was quality release that is sure to catapult particularly taken with them and Shihad to the worldwide success it “...it’s one of the best their Ladies & Gentlemen We Are deserves. Highly recommended. action-thrillers ever made. Floating in Space is a favourite James Power is from ” album from that time. The openly Readings St Kilda - THE SUNDAY TIMES drug influenced tunes were beautiful symphonic pop masterpieces. Much FLIGHT OF THE has happened since: a near death CONCHORDS experience, the music world has Flight Of The seemingly moved on and Spiritual- Conchords ized have lost most of their stature $24.95 in it. Which is a shame, as for a time Full of songs from their hilarious they were making beautiful records. and critically acclaimed HBO TV This album, whilst being okay, only series that encompass everything serves as a reminder to go back and from the opening piss-take of the rediscover their (above-mentioned) French, to their love of Bowie and masterpiece from 1997. DC robots. Think along the lines of a folksier cardigan-wearing Tenacious SATURDAYS = YOUTH D from New Zealand and you’re M83 kind of in the ballpark. Funniest $29.95 buggers I’ve heard in ages and for This album is the sound of M83’s those who love a laugh, a great sound wiz Anthony Gonzalez div- album to brighten up any day. JP ing headfirst into his ocean of love of everything 80s but in a current SUNDAY AT DEVIL DIRT day wetsuit to ensure all the vitals Isobel Campbell are looked after in a polished 2008 & Mark Lanegan fashion. Full of synths and 80s drums $25.95 and production, Gonzalez anchors There are some unique and unex- himself in his favourite fluro-ridden pected pairings in music today … period, with dips of his hat (or head-

ON DVD NOW some don’t work, some do – bloody band) to his fellow countrymen, hell, this pairing does. Following up www.universalpictures.com.au Daft Punk. That’ll keep today’s kids their brilliant Ballad of the Broken Artwork © 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. happy and on the dance floor. JP

28 CDs

Seas album, Isobel Campbell and already a dance floor essential, it’s multicultural music cities in the GAUGHAN LIVE AT Mark Lanegan continue along the the second single to surface, This world, here it is. Alongside Fela Kuti THE TRADES CLUB 4 same path as their previous effort, Boy’s In Love, with trace elements of and King Sunny Ade, there were Dick Gaughan but this time with added musical techno-pop greats such as Depeche heaps of musicians from Nigeria and $19.95 layers to complement themselves. Mode, which really sums up the all over West Africa making records A very lively collection of Gaughan Once again, it’s the combination of sound of the album. The sounds and firing up what was then a vibrant classics, recorded at Dick’s favourite Campbell’s sweet serene vocals and get even louder and more infectious nightclub scene. Have a listen to live venue at the end of his annual Lanegan’s trademark deep gritty when you first hear the driving the incredible sax solo on track 59 UK tour – which has become a growl that makes this album an synths of Are You The One. Also new (Nigeria Disco Funk) and there’s tradition, now immortalised on this absolute killer that is a must-have and worth mentioning from the plenty more like it to follow. If you CD. As you expect from Gaughan, for any music lover. JP electro-pop genre that’s so in vogue like a more funky, brassy sound, go this is a passionate mix of traditional is Cut Copy’s In Ghost Colours, an for the first disc mentioned – but for folk (Now Westlin Wind, Both PAUL WELLER album that is sewn together with me, the second disc has the edge with Sides the Tweed) political songs (No 22 Dreams passages of woozy dreamscapes some wild, ‘out there’ distorted wah- Gods, Thomas Muir of Huntershill, $25.95 between the straight-up jams. Think wahed fuzz guitar, African-style, over Whatever Happened) and a couple At first listen, you feel like this Presets, but even better. Buy them, pounding Afrobeat rhythms. Track of jaw-dropping Celtic instru- album has been recorded live to dance to them, love them! three, In the Jungle (instrumental, by mental sets. Gaughan plays fiery mike in the studio. A combination Belle Katavatis is from Readings the Hygrades) is a scorcher, but it’s guitar in the now standard Celtic of electric guitar, acoustic guitar Hawthorn and St Kilda hard to single it out as a highlight. tuning DADGAD throughout and and piano tracks, some with lush Cover art and liner notes are exem- demonstrates his mastery of melodic orchestral arrangements, fill this – at JOHN HIATT plary on both discs. PB picking, combined with powerful times overly long – release. With Same Old Man strumming techniques. PB continued listens, like all good $29.95 standard version. KOOKATHA / albums, most of the songs grow and $33.95 CD & DVD deluxe version GUNDITJMARA CLAN CLOSER TO HOME jump out at you. Smart lyrics (as Well, one thing Dave Arden Nick Charles always), sung as only Weller can, is certain with $29.95 $29.95 with catchy and subtle hooks. There John Hiatt. He Multi-talented songman Dave Lovers of fine finger style guitar, are definitely a few strange ones, but knows his Arden is from Western Victoria and rejoice. Lord knows, right here, in you also don’t feel underwhelmed audience and for has been a touring musician with Terra Australis lives one of the best when the songs finish. If the album the last 35 years Archie Roach and the Black Arm practitioners of this, most fine of had 14 tracks it would be regarded has been making his own style of Band, among many others. On arts. Nick Charles has quietly been as a classic. Songs like Push It Along, music that is unlike anyone around. Kookatha, Arden has stepped up and wowing anyone who has had the Where ’er Ye Go and the beautiful He should probably be more delivered a very good debut album good fortune to be in his presence Night Lights stand out. LF popular, but is more well-known as a with songs from the heart dealing when he plays for some years now. writer, whose songs are better with issues of identity, family and Yet he is still yet to obtain the fame SANTOGOLD interpreted by others. He’s no Bruce community in a tough world. The that should so righteously be his. Santogold Springsteen, probably more like John album opens with a real sign of Hopefully, his new album, Closer $24.95 Prine, but his stories ring no less true. intent, with unforgettable electric To Home will be the tipping point. Let me say straight up ... this is Real stories of real people living real guitar riffing and an anthemic qual- A dozen tracks slide effortlessly in NOT the type of CD I would lives. Great arrangements abound on ity that should make it a classic. Lost style from jazz to folk to bluegrass, normally review. But this homage this release, but you still feel he could in Two Worlds also features some in a style so dextrous, and nimble, to 80s pop is supercharged with sing these songs on his front porch in beautiful electric guitar work. Arden you would swear that more than tribal rhythms, bells and whistles, the middle of the day while sucking plays acoustic and electric guitar and several pickers are a pluckin’ loops, beats and great vocals. Viva- down a few coldies with mates. I bass, sings soulfully and can really – not so. Seriously, if you love cious frontwoman Santi White and really enjoyed and empathised with put his message across on this all guitar music, and you love your former counterpart in a previous this album and its stories. original collection of songs co-pro- country, look no further than ska punk band, John Hill, join a Lou Fulco is from Readings duced with Shane Howard. PB this splendid recording. revolving door of other members in Port Melbourne. Garry Mansfield is creating a good humoured, never GAUGHAN LIVE AT from Readings Carlton wordy American pop roots classic, THE TRADES CLUB 4 Often compared to M.I.A. but far Folk & World Dick Gaughan more accessible, these bombastic by Paul Barr $29.95 Jazz bass infused songs mix reggae, punk, A very lively collection of Gaughan electro and indie rock. The first NIGERIA DISCO FUNK classics, recorded at Dick’s favourite LONG PLAYER track L.E.S. Artistes is everything SPECIAL: THE SOUND live venue at the end of his an- Hollie Smith great about this album!! LF OF THE UNDERGROUND nual UK tour – which has become a $21.95 LAGOS DANCEFLOOR tradition, now immortalised on this At 16 years of age, Hollie Smith APOCALYPSO 1974-79 CD. As you expect from Gaughan, won Best Female Jazz Vocalist in her The Presets $31.95 this is a passionate mix of tradi- home country, New Zealand. A few $29.95 NIGERIA ROCK SPECIAL: tional folk (Now Westlin Wind, Both years later, more awards came her way. In her own compositions, we IN GHOST COLOURS PSYCHEDELIC AFRO Sides the Tweed) political songs (No hear a sensuous and steamy voice: a Cut Copy ROCK AND FUZZ FUNK Gods, Thomas Muir of Huntershill, Whatever Happened) and a couple cross between soul and jazz, which $29.95 IN 1970S NIGERIA of jaw-dropping Celtic instrumental seems to be the rage lately. A tal- The highly anticipated sopho- $31.95 sets. Gaughan plays fiery guitar in the ented multi-tasker, she has written, more album by the Sydney-based Two very exciting new compilations now standard Celtic tuning DAD- arranged and produced the album. electronic duo does not disappoint! from Soundway, who are doing a GAD throughout and demonstrates If you like your singers earthy and Apocalypso is a thumping, unrelent- great job reissuing long-lost gems his mastery of melodic picking, com- soulful, this is right up your alley. ing collection of futuristic grooves. from Nigeria. If any more proof bined with powerful strumming Sid Grane is from Readings Malvern While the first single My People is was needed that Lagos, Nigeria in the 1970s was one of the great techniques. PB 29 Classical CDs SPECIAL OF THE MONTH MAHLER: COMPLETE WAGNER: THE GREAT BEETHOVEN: MOZART: VIOLIN SYMPHONIES OPERAS FROM THE NINE SYMPHONIES CONCERTOS, SINFONIA AND SONGS BAYREUTH FESTIVAL (COMPLETE) CONCERTANTE Sir Simon Rattle, Karl Bohm, Wolfgang AND OVERTURES Anne-Sophie Mutter, CBSO, BPO, VPO Sawallisch, James Anima Eterna, Yuri Bashmet EMI Cat. No. 5007212 Levine, Orchester der Jos Van Immerseel London Philharmonic $39.95 (14 CDs) Bayreuther Festspiele Zig Zag Territories Cat. No. DG Cat. No. 4775925. This is a Decca. Cat. No. 4780279 ZZT0804026. (6 CD Set). $79.95 Normally $39.95. fantastic $94.95 (CDs) Here is a wonderfully fresh, Our special price $14.95 collection of This is another period instrument performance This two CD the Mahler unbelievable of Beethoven’s complete sympho- set is the perfect Symphonies box-set that we nies from the Amsterdam-based opportunity and Songs, all couldn’t ignore. Belgian ensemble Anima Eterna. to finally get beautifully conducted by arguably This is the The recorded sound quality and those recordings the greatest conductor of recent complete balance are excellent. If you are in of the Mozart times. Symphonies 5 & 10 are Wagner operas, all recorded at the search of a version of these works Violin Concertos that you have with the Berlin Philharmonic, Bayreuth Festival at the theatre as far removed from Karajan’s or been meaning to buy, but never No. 9 with the Vienna Philhar- that was created especially to stage Bernstein’s as possible, then this quite got around to. Even better, monic and the remaining seven these works. Included here is Karl set is the one for you. There are you get the concertos played by with the City of Birmingham Bohm’s monumental ring cycle, several original instrument perfor- one of the world’s great violinists, Symphony Orchestra, which but it would be unfair to single mances of the complete Beethoven Anne-Sophie Mutter and one of course includes his legendary out any particular performance, as symphonies available, however the of the world’s great orchestras, performance of the second all are outstanding. Birgit Nilsson, bonus with this set is the inclusion The London Philharmonic. symphony. There have been Wolfgang Windgassen, Astrid of Beethoven’s overtures. But wait – there’s more. There is other Mahler cycles, but somehow Varnay and Peter Hoffman are just Catherine Koerner is from also a wonderful performance of Rattle brings something new to some of the outstanding singers in Readings Hawthorn Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for the table. He is well served by this collection. This is a must for Violin and Viola with the mighty the musicians in all orchestras all opera lovers. PR ROUND-UP OF Yuri Bashmet on viola. Miss this and the sound quality is first rate. ELOQUENCE bargain at your peril. N.B. There All in all, highly recommended. SCHOENBERG, SIBELIUS: NEW RELEASES is limited stock of this title. Phil Richards is from VIOLIN CONCERTOS This month sees the re-emergence Readings Carlton Hilary Hahn, Esa-Pekka of five Ernest Ansermet gems Salonen, Swedish Radio from the vaults of Decca released THROUGH A BRETT DEAN: Symphony Orchestra. by Universal Australia on the budget label Eloquence: GLASS DARKLY: VIOLA CONCERTO, ETC. DG Cat. No. 4777346. $29.95 ROGER SMALLEY Brett Dean, Sydney I first saw Royal Ballet Gala: Ernest Ansermet CHAMBER WORKS Symphony Orchestra, and heard Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Australian String Simone Young Hilary Hahn Covent Garden. Cat. No. 4429986. Quartet and friends Our special price $19.95 when she was 2CD Set $14.95 $29.95 This absolute 19 years of age The original treat on the performing the Sibelius: Symphony no. 2; ASQ (now young Sydney first Shostakovich Violin Concerto Tapiola: Symphony no. 4 know as the Symphony Live with the West Australian Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead Grainger label features Symphony Orchestra – and she Ernest Ansermet. Cat. No. 4800044. Quartet) vibrant was amazing. This new record- 2CD Set $14.95 premieres recordings of four diverse works ing may be the most interesting Brahms Symphonies 1 & 3; three charming new works by one of our foremost composers. and the most rewarding of her Symphony 2; Haydn Variations / from the Perth-based composer/ Dean is the soloist in the world (still very young) career. I was Tragic Overture; Symphony 4 / pianist. A one-time student of premiere of his monumental Viola not familiar with the Schoenberg, Academic Fest Overture/ Nanie /Alto Stockhausen, two decades ago Concerto, with Simone Young but what a fascinating piece it is Rhapsody; German Requiem Smalley began reintegrating into conducting. You also get the – and Hahn’s playing is beautiful. Ernest Ansermet his music the romantic tonalities playful Twelve Angry Men for 12 The first and third movements Cat. No. 4800448. 3CD Set $24.95 of Chopin and Brahms, often (surprise!) cellists, the haunting are stern and angular and the basing his pieces on deconstructed Intimate Decisions for Solo Viola, second is sensual and sumptuous. Liszt Eine Faust-Symphonie; fragments of their music. and the orchestral Komarov’s Up against the classic Sibelius Mephisto-Valse; Procession Nocturne The Piano Quintet and the Fall, inspired by the first person Concerto, on first viewing it seems (From 2 Episodes from Lenau’s Faust); lovely String Quartet No. 2 both to die in space. A renowned chalk and cheese, but somehow Battle of the Huns. Magnard: draw upon Chopin, although performer and conductor, in the hands of Hahn and Symphony. No. 3. Ernest Ansermet the particularly delightful Trio Dean’s compositional language Salonen, these two works fit Cat. No. 442 9992. 2CD Set $14.95. for Horn, Violin and Piano is thoroughly modern but very nicely together. PR Wagner Lohengrin: Prelude, Act I; is based entirely on original unafraid of simplicity and Gotterdammerung: Siegfried’s material. Completely original, emotional directness. Funeral March; Meistersinger: and highly accessible. Recording A remarkable disc, at Prelude, Act I; Parsifal: Prelude & and packaging are up to the usual a very friendly price. Good Friday Music. Ernest Ansermet Melba standards. RM Richard Mohr is a friend of Readings Cat. No. 4800567. 1CD $9.95.

30 .63/"6 0OF
PG
UIF
MFBEJOH
MJHIUT
PG
(FSNBO
&YQSFTTJPOJTN

NOSFERATU “With Nosferatu, Murnau created some of cinema’s most lasting and haunting imagery” Joshua Klein, 1001 MOVIES YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE

OTHER GERMAN CINEMA CLASSICS

XXXEJSFDUPSTTVJUFDPNBV "7"*-"#-&
50
08/
0/
%7%
/08

Post all orders to: Readings, Order Form PO Box 1066, Carlton, 3053

Please supply the following items : Please send to : ____ X ______$ ______Name : ______

____ X ______$ ______Address : ______

____ X ______$ ______Postcode : ______

____ X ______$ ______Phone : ______Order No. : ______

____ X ______$ ______‰ Payment enclosed or please charge my ‰ VISA ‰ MC

____ X ______$ ______Card No. : ______

Postage (see rates below) : $ ______Expiry Date : __ __ / __ __ Signature : ______

Please send me your monthly newsletter: Yes No Readings ABN: 45 005 153 533 Total : $ ______‰ ‰

POSTAGE RATES: AUSTRALIA: BOOKS: Melb. Metro: 1-6 items $6.50; Other VIC: 1–6 items $7.50; Anywhere else in Aust: 1-6 items: $7.95. Order 7 or more and we’ll pay the surface freight to anywhere in Australia CDs, DVDs: flat rate: $4.80. Order 6 or more and we’ll pay the surface freight to anywhere in Australia. WEBSITE: Melb. Metro: $6.00. Anywhere else in Aust.: $7.95. Order 7 or more items and we’ll pay the surface freight to anywhere in Australia. NEW ZEALAND: 1-3 items: $7.50; 4 or more items: $10.00. NOTE: Prices correct at time of printing but subject to change.

31 AVAILABLE FROM READINGS

SONNY LANDRETH ABIGAIL WASHBURN & THE SPARROW QUARTET ‘FROM THE REACH’ Louisiana slide guitar genius Sonny Landreth does something unprecedented in his career, ‘THE SPARROW QUARTET’ collaborating with an amazing lineup of friends on Debut from new outfi t led by Uncle Earl’s his brilliant new album 'From The Reach'. banjo-player, and featuring Bela Fleck. Stunning east-meets-west concept - call it Sino-Old-Time Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Dr.John, Jimmy Buffett, if you dare! Eric Johnson, Mark Knopfl er and Robben Ford all lend a hand on an album that evokes the spirit of “The artist who best embodies the notion of his native Louisiana, both in the music Americana as a worldwide musical language” and the lavish artwork. OUT THE TENNESSEAN 31.05.08

MALCOLM HOLCOMBE ISOBEL CAMPBELL & ‘GAMBLIN’ HOUSE’ MARK LANEGAN First Australian release from Blue Ridge Mountains -born maverick. ‘SUNDAY AT DEVIL DIRT’ Second collaboration from former Belle & “Malcolm Holcombe is one of the great Sebastian and Screaming Trees entities. undiscovered singer/songwriters.” KASEY CHAMBERS “If anything, this is better than 2006’s Ballad of the Broken Seas... Campbell’s binged on Harry “I’ll say it again, Holcombe is a guitar picking, soulful Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music - original up there with whoever you care to name from hence the arcane Keep In Mind, Sweetheart and Hank, thru Townes Van Zandt to Tom Waits.” OUT the siren-haunted Seafaring Song...Lanegan KEITH GLASS, RHYTHMS 07.06.08 delivers some career-best performances, broken and vulnerable on Salvation, sonorously evil on The Raven and, on Backburner, like a semi- comatose gris-gris man. Way rootsier than Nancy & Lee, these two really hit the spot.” MOJO JOHN HIATT CAROLINE HERRING ‘SAME OLD MAN’ ‘LANTANA’ First album in 3 years from the great American First Australian release from this wonderful singer-songwriter who toured here in March - for Mississippi-born singer-songwriter. the fi rst time in nearly 20 years! Limited deluxe edition features exclusive DVD with 6 Hiatt “Lantana is the best modern Southern Gothic classics - Memphis In The Meantime, Have a Little since Lucinda Williams’ Sweet Old World.” Faith In Me, Tennessee Plates, Perfectly Good AUSTIN CHRONICLE Guitar, Crossing Muddy Waters and Cry Love! “Insightful, evocative writing is the common denominator of Lantana, a compelling acoustic album rooted in the complexities of women’s lives, especially women of the south. “ NO DEPRESSION

STEVE EARLE DANIEL LANOIS ‘LIVE FROM AUSTIN, TX’ ‘HERE IS WHAT IS’ DVD and CD releases. Recorded live for Austin DVD and CD available. A great documentary, and its City Limits, around the time of Steve’s great stunning soundtrack. Film features cameos from 2000 album ‘Transcendental Blues’. 15 tracks, Brian Eno and Sinead O’Connor, and CD is “a world including the best tracks from that album and unto itself, drawing from seemingly random sources it’s predecessors ‘I Feel Alright’ and ‘El Corazon’, to weave a work of mystic, spiritual power” including ‘Hardcore Troubadour and ‘Telephone UNCUT Road’, as well as killer versions of earlier clas- sics like ‘Devil’s Right Hand’ and ‘Copperhead Road’. This is Steve Earle & the Dukes at their absolute best!

www.shock.com.au