Free july 2010 Readings Monthly

Lisa Gorton on Gregory Day • Peter Rose • Justin Cronin COURTESY PICADOR PUBLISHING. SEE REVIEW PAGE. 6 IMAGE OF BRET EASTON ELLIS' s COURTESY PICADOR PUBLISHING. SEE REVIEW PAGE.

Bret Easton Ellis’s sequel to Less Than Zero p 5

Highlights of July book, CD & DVD new releases. Many more inside.

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July event highlights : Annabel Crabb on Rise of the Ruddbot ; Oslo Davis; Gregory Day; Fiona Capp; Kate Jennings on Trouble. More events inside.

All shops open 7 days, except State Library shop, which is open Monday - Friday. Carlton 309 Lygon St 9347 6633 Hawthorn 701 Glenferrie Rd 9819 1917 Malvern 185 Glenferrie Rd 9509 1952. Port Melbourne 253 Bay St 9681 9255 St Kilda 112 Acland St 9525 3852 Readings at the State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston St 8664 7540 email [email protected] Check opening hours, find event details, or browse and buy online at www.readings.com.au

Explore the creative genius behind Batman, Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland. �� June – �� October ���� Open daily ��am – �pm Special late night Thursdays until ��pm Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne www.acmi.net.au 2 Readings Monthly July 2010

From the Editor Franzen Season Thisbarbara Kingsolver Month’s taking over his brother’s News role and spending program at special prices. Selected titles are At the risk of making people Wins Orange prize the rest of his days ‘with his head under a $19.95 each, plus an extra 10% off for Read- envious ... today, at time of Barbara Kingsolver has been cow’. But life throws up some surprises. ings customers with a valid MIFF mini or writing, I received a proof of awarded this year’s Orange Australian translator David Colmer said of festival pass (excluding Red Riding trilogy). the new Jonathan Franzen Prize for Fiction for The the win: ‘The great thing about this prize is Available at all Readings shops except State novel in the post. And I know Lacuna (A&U, PB, Normally that it’s the only major prize where trans- Library and online at www.readings.com.au I’m by no means the only one $35, Our special price lated novels compete on an equal basis with from July 22–August 31. very excited about the $29.95), her enthralling books that were originally written in English. September release of Freedom historical novel set in Mexico That’s every translator’s goal, really, for the Melbourne Prize (Fourth Estate, PB, $32.99), his first novel and the US, from the 1930s book to come to life in the new language for Music since The Corrections. In The New York Times to the 1950s in McCarthy’s America, and for no qualifications to be necessary.’ Entries for one of Australia’s most valuable recently, Franzen shared his passion for an incorporating real-life characters such as The prize is worth 75,000 euros to the author music prizes will close on 19 July. With a oft-overlooked Australian classic (albeit one Trotsky, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. and 25,000 euros to the translator. prize pool of over $100,000, the Melbourne set in America, at the insistence of a cynical Prize for Music 2010 and Awards is open to publisher): Christina Stead’s The Man Who Lionel Needs to Talk Melbourne Victorian musicians (performers and compos- Loved Children (Picador, PB, $30.95), which about the Orange International Film ers) across ALL music genres. Entry can be turns 70 this year. It's a chilling novel of Bookslut’s Jessa Crispin predicts that the win Festival made individually by musicians or groups, or family life, the relations between parents and will mean ‘we have about six months bliss- In a festival-dominated city, the Melbourne by nomination. To get an entry form, please children, and husbands and wives. I felt a fully free of commentators making nonsense International Film Festival stands out as visit www.melbourneprizetrust.org. little ashamed to be an Australian reader and statements about how women’s literature is an annual bright spot in the dark winter writer who’s never read it, after reading all too domestic, or how the Orange Prize months. For 17 days, Melbourne’s CBD the Hedgehog Film snippets like ‘the book operates at a pitch of is just reverse sexism and men should be cinemas will be packed with wall-to-wall Giveaway Revolution- psychological violence that makes allowed to win, etc.’ But Lionel Shriver, who film from around the world. With over 350 The Hedgehog is a new film to ary Road Everybody Loves Raymond look like ’ won the Orange in 2005 with her break- movies on offer, spanning a startling diver- be released in cinemas July 8 and, ‘I’m convinced that there are tens of through novel We Need to Talk About Kevin, sity of countries and genres, there’s bound to loosely based on Muriel thousands of people in this country who is still talking about her issues with the prize. be something to satisfy everyone, no matter Barbery’s French classic would bless the day the book was published, On the prize’s fifteenth anniversary, she was what their tastes. Look for the full MIFF The Elegance of the Hedge- if only they could be exposed to it’. So, that’s voted by the public as ‘winner of winners’ – program guide with The Agenewspaper hog (Gallic, PB, $24.95), a two for the reading list now ... but the win didn’t make her happy. She told on Friday 9 July, or browse the program at moving story about love, life UK’s The Independent: ‘The more prizes you your leisure at www.melbournefilmfestival. and the beauty of unexpected Virals are the give, the more meaningless they become. It’s com.au. The Melbourne International Film friendships. Buy a copy of The Elegance of the New Vampires a stupid thing to have more than one win- Festival runs 22 July–8 August. Hedgehog at any Readings shop and online at The book world is abuzz with ner; it’s diluting and it means nobody wins.’ www.readings.com.au and receive a com- talk of Justin Cronin’s new Kate Mosse, co-founder of the Orange, said MIFF Competition plimentary double pass to see The Hedgehog horror/sci fi/magic realism/ the complementary prizes such as this were We are thrilled to announce that we have film. Offer valid while stocks last. fantasy trilogy, which kicks off designed to support women ‘in all stages of two tickets to the MIFF opening night film with The Passage (Orion, PB, their careers’. and party on Thursday 22 July and two Bubbles for Normally $35, Our special tickets to the festival closing night film and Bastille Day price $29.95), published in Shirley Walker party on Saturday 7 August to give away. Melbourne University Publishing and Moët Australia this month. Ridley wins kibble Email us on [email protected]. Hennessy Australia are offering Readings Scott has bought the film rights for $1.75 Australia’s own women’s au and tell us in 50 words or less why you Monthly readers the chance to win a bottle of million, Stephen King has ‘blurbed’ it. It’s a writing prize, The Nita B would like to attend. Competition entries Veuve Clicquot champagne for Bastille Day. sprawling post-apocalyptic novel about a Kibble Literary Award, was must be received by July 20 and the two The first five newsletter readers to purchase a six-year-old girl who just may save the world, also awarded last month – to best entries judged by Readings will win two copy of Shannon Bennett’s Paris in a Read- after a top-secret military experiment Shirley Walker, for her family tickets to either the opening or closing night ings shop on Bastille Day (14 July) will win a code-named Project NOAH unleashes a virus memoir, The Ghost at the celebrations. One prize per entrant. bottle each. In Shannon Bennett’s Paris (Mie- that threatens to decimate it. Oh, and Wedding (Penguin, PB, gunyah, HB, $44.95), the chef and owner vampires, the hot theme of the moment, are $24.95). Professor Robert MWF 2010 of internationally renowned restaurant Vue in the mix – though Cronin has his own take Dixon, Chair of the Judging Panel, said: ‘In Program Launch de Monde takes you on a personal tour of on the myth, and here vampires as known as her lyrical elegy to the generation before her, In its 25th year, the Melbourne Writers Fes- his beloved city, with reviews of his favourite ‘virals’. ‘I took all the vampire novels and Ms Walker tells the story of legendary battles tival (MWF) is an internationally acclaimed three-star restaurants, bistros, bars and hotels, stories of my youth and said, “OK, let’s go do during the Great War. Based partly on family festival featuring over 350 writers from and his pick of the best places to buy wine, my version of it,”’ says Cronin, who wrote documents and historical records, it is also a around the world and more than 300 events. chocolate, truffles and caviar, plus recipes for The Passage – his third novel – after his young deeply reimagined account of the lives of the The festival will launch the 2010 program classic French dishes. Lavishly illustrated, this daughter asked him to write a novel ‘about a women and men who waited out the war at on Friday 16 July and the program will be is the book you’ll want for planning your trip girl who saves the world’. (I hope she’s getting home.’ The accompanying Dobbie Encour- available on the MWF website www.mwf. to the most romantic city in the world, while a good birthday present this year ...) The agment Award for a first published work com.au and distributed in The Age. Readings sipping a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne! second novel, The Twelve is due in 2012, went to Deborah Forster for The Book of is the official bookseller of the Melbourne while the final instalment, The City of Mirrors, Emmett (Vintage, PB, $23.95). Writers Festival. St Kilda Word is due in 2014. Unlike the last author to Prize 2010 benefit big-time from a literary flirtation with The Twin wins Impac Readings This year the St Kilda Village and Fitzroy the undead, Stephenie Meyer, Cronin’s The Twin by Gerbrand Warehouse Sale Street Traders’ Associations are proud to writing credentials are impeccable: he’s a Bakker (Scribe, PB, $29.95), Readings is holding a massive warehouse present the 2010 Word Prize and invite graduate of the famed Iowa Workshop. translated from the Dutch those within the 3128 postcode boundary to Look out for this one! sale from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 July for local publication, has (12pm–2pm Monday to Friday; 9am–5pm submit a piece of fiction or non-fiction, song Big Issue Fiction won this year’s International weekends) at our new warehouse, 314–318 lyric, poetry, short story or essay that best Edition 2010 IMPAC Literary Award, the Drummond St Carlton. Up to 80% off captures the essence of St Kilda. There are world’s richest literary prize books, CDs, DVDs and stationery. All stock $7000 in cash prizes to be won - first prize In an entirely biased plug (but it’s okay – for a single work of fiction. $4000, second prize $2000 and third prize it’s for charity), here’s a little diary note: look must go! Ostensibly a novel about the countryside, as $1000. Author (and bookseller at Readings St out for the annual Big Issue Fiction edition, seen through the eyes of a farmer, The Twin Kilda) Alec Patric is one of the judges, along on the streets 19 July–2 August. Includes Readings Annual is, in the end, about the possibility or MIFF DVD sale with author Kate Holden and singer/song- all-new stories from Christos Tsiolkas, Michel impossibility of taking life into one’s own writer Ian Bland. Entries close 5pm Friday 13 Faber, Toni Jordan, Linda Jaivin, Patrick hands. When his twin brother dies in a car Readings and Madman Entertainment are August 2010. More information and entry Allington and more. accident, Helmer is obliged to return to the again running our annual MIFF sale featur- forms at www. stkildaessence.com.au. —Jo Case small family farm. He resigns himself to ing fantastic films from the 2009 MIFF

CINEMA NOVA RECOMMENDS Book now, online or at the cinema box office. Paul Bettany Jennifer Connelly As he completes his landmark book Origin of the Species, Charles Darwin From the award winning novel must face criticism from both the church The Elegance Of The Hedgehog, and his own family. a young French girl and her building's 380 LYGON ST CARLTON concierge bond over a love of books. www.cinemanova.com.au Join our e-news for updates on the Met Opera, STARTS JULY 8 National Theatre and other stage spectaculars. STARTS JULY 15 Readings Monthly July 2010 3

Companion 2011 (Hardie Grant, PB, 27 $34.95) has been completely revised and Matt Skinner updated. Join us for a taste of Scorpo Wines. Matt Skinner's Wine Guide 2011 (Murdoch, Monday 2 August, 6.30pm, Readings Haw- PB, $24.95) is a comprehensive guide to thorn. Free, but please book on 9819 1917. EventsAll our Readings book and music eventsin are Julyopening nights, importunate fans – and dark 250 wines, to suit all budgets and occa- free, unless otherwise stated. Bookings do not secrets. Through his friendship with dazzling sions. Matt will be in-store pouring reds and guarantee a seat, but rather indicate to us the publisher Julia Collis, Roddy Parr, who whites, and signing his book. Tuesday 27 3 number of people to expect. To see more events completed his PhD on legendary author July, 6.30pm, Readings Port Melbourne. Kylie Kwong or for updates on new events please visit the David Anthem, joins the household as Free, but please book on 9681 9255. To celebrate the release of events page at www.readings.com.au. David’s secretary. Julia’s agenda? For Roddy It Tastes Better (Lantern, to become David’s biographer. Wednesday HB, Normally $69.95, 14 July, 6pm for 6.30pm, Readings 27 Our special price $59.95), 4 Carlton. Free, but please book on 9347 Jeff Goodell Kylie will present a taste and Page to Picture 6633. in conversation share evening. With wine To celebrate the film release of The Hedgehog, with David Karoly by Scorpo and tastes from Nova has put together a panel of speakers her new book, the evening is Together with Scribe and AIIA we are Tuesday 3 August, 6.30pm– to discuss both the book and the film. Join 15 sure to delight. pleased to introduce Jeff Goodell, who will 8pm, Readings Hawthorn. Bookings on Dave Graney (musician/Triple R broadcaster/ Jim Davidson be talking to Australian climatologist David actor), Danièle Kemp (SBS French language in conversation 9819 1917 essential as places are limited. Karoly. Jeff Goodell’s book How to Cool the $20 per person. program), Philippa Hawker (The Age) and with Robert Manne Planet (Scribe, PB, $35) is sure to kick-start host Thomas Caldwell.S unday 4 July, 3pm, We are honoured to have Jim, one of Aus- debate in Australia. Right now, a group of Cinema Nova, Lygon Street, Carlton. tralia’s finest historians, discuss his new book scientists is working on ways to minimise Purchase tickets at Cinema Nova. Three-Cornered Life: The Historian Keith the catastrophic impact of global warming, 5 Hancock (New South, HB, $59.95) with with huge contraptions that suck CO2 from Jessica Watson Robert Manne. Everyone has heard of Man- the air. There are risks, but Goodell believes Jessica Watson, Australia’s celebrated young- 5 ning Clark, but Keith Hancock may be the the alternatives could be worse. Tuesday 27 est solo world sailor, will be signing copies of Allison Pearson more notable historian – among his many July, 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Free, her book True Spirit (Orion, PB, $35). Thursday 5 August, 5.30pm, Readings The author of the bestselling I Don’t Know achievements, his Australia (1930) is one of but please book on 9819 1917. Port Melbourne. How She Does It will talk about her new nov- the most quoted books about our country. Free, but please book on el, I Think I Love You (Chatto & Windus, Thursday 15 July, 6.30pm, Readings Carl- 9681 9255. PB, $32.95) – a book about puppy love, the ton. Free, but please book on 9347 6633. 27 complexities of female friendship and David The Female Eunuch: Cassidy. Monday 5 July, 6.30pm, Readings 40 Years On Port Melbourne. Free, but please book on 16 Monica Dux will be joined by Launches 9681 9255. Gregory Day Sarah’s Last Wish (Eve Hillary) is a chilling Leslie Cannold, and Karen glimpse into forced medicine. Sunday 4 in conversation Pickering (Cherchez La July, 2pm, Readings Hawthorn. Free, no with Peter Temple Femme) to discuss the impact need to book. 7 Peter Temple will talk to and influence of Germaine Lenore Taylor Gregory Day about The Greer’s The Female Eunuch – Join us for the launch of University of & David Uren Grand Hotel (Random, PB, at the time of publication and Melbourne lecturer Dr Katrina McFerran’s with Alan Kohler $32.95, Our special price now, 40 years on. (And yes, Adolescents, Music and Music Therapy: Meth- ods and Techniques for Clinicians, Educators Respected journalists Lenore $27.95), a novel about an they’ll touch on that Nowra essay.) Monica’s and Students (Jessica Kingsley, PB, $47.95). Taylor and David Uren talk Australian pub twenty-first- anniversary essay on the subject is published Tuesday 6 July, 6pm, Readings Carlton. about their new book century style, where the in the July issue of Kill Your Darlings (PB, Tuesday 27 July, 6.30pm, Readings Free, no need to book. Shitstorm: Labor’s Darkest toilets play automated $18). Carlton. Days (MUP, PB, $34.99). Dadaist recordings and the patrons’ libidos Free, bookings appreciated: info@ Singer and performer Paul Kelly will launch Shitstorm is the inside story are as voracious as their thirst for the local killyourdarlingsjournal.com. Fiona McGregor’s Indelible Ink (Scribe, PB, of the new Rudd Govern- ale. As events in the hotel take a twist that Normally $32.95, Our special price $27.95) ment’s response to the not even its inventive publican could have – a favourite of Readings, and of Christos biggest economic crisis in 75 years. imagined, a long-held local mystery begins 28 Tsiolkas. Thursday 8 July, 6.30pm, Readings Wednesday 7 July, 6.30pm, Cinema Nova. finally to unravel. Friday 16 July, 6.30pm, Fiona Capp Carlton. Free, no need to book. Free, but please book on 9347 6633. Readings Hawthorn. Free, but please book in conversation on 9819 1917. Michelle Griffin, Arts Editor at The Age, will with jane sullivan launch the wonderful Overheard by Read- My Blood’s Country (A&U, PB, $27.99) is an ings’ resident cartoonist Oslo Davis (Arcade, 8 intensely personal exploration and celebra- PB, $20), collecting the best of Oslo’s ‘Over- Gabriel Gaté 17 tion of the life and work of one of Australia’s Gruffalo craft event heard’ cartoons from the Sunday Age. Friday Join celebrity chef Gabriel Gaté as he talks premier poets, Judith Wright, through the 9 July, 6pm for 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. about Taste le Tour (Hardie Grant, HB, $35), Join us – and The Gruffalo himself – for a landscape and country she loved so much. Free, no need to book. which takes the reader on a gastronomic tour fun kids’ craft event. We’ll be making masks Wednesday 28 July, 6.30pm, Readings Carl- of regional France, introducing the classic and finger puppets for children aged 3–8 ton. Free, but please book on 9347 6633. Sally Muirden will launch Marie Lukic’s Gal- recipes from each region. Thursday 8 July, years – and there’ll be the chance to win axy Trotters (SidHarta, PB, $19.95). Sunday 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Free, but tickets for The Gruffalo show, which will be 18 July, 10.30am, Readings Carlton. Free, please book on 9819 1917. opening on 20 July at the National Theatre 29 no need to book. Saturday 17 July, 2.30–3.30pm, in St Kilda. Annabel Crabb In Backward Glances (Duke, PB, $55.95), Readings Port Melbourne. Free, but please In Rise of the Ruddbot (Black Inc., PB, Fran Martin looks at love between women 12 book on 9681 9255. $32.95), Australia’s funniest, most incisive in contemporary Chinese popular culture. Pages to Poetry political commentator chronicles our strange Tuesday 20 July, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Join us for our regular poetry reading event. and turbulent political times. Thursday 29 Free, no need to book. Sarah Day’s Grass Notes (Brandl & Sclesinger, 19 July, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, but Shane Maloney will launchThe Big Issue PB, $24.95) is her sixth collection of poems. Mark Aarons please book on 9347 6633. Fiction Edition 2010, featuring Michel Faber, Lisa Gorton’s first poetry collection, Press In The Family File (Black Inc., PB, $34.95), Christos Tsiolkas, Toni Jordan and others. Release (Giramondo, PB, $22), won the Vic- Mark Aarons – a member of Australia’s lead- Wednesday 21 July, at 6.30pm, Readings torian Premier’s Prize for Poetry. Simon West’s ing activist family, sheds new light on dissent 30 Carlton. Free, bookings appreciated. Email latest collection is The Selected Poetry of Guido in Australia. Monday 19 July, 6.30pm, Crafty Kids [email protected]; phone 9663 4522. Cavalcanti (Troubador Press, 2009). Monday Readings Carlton. Free, please book on at Hawthorn 9347 6633. 12 July, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Fun times ahead for 15 lucky kids. Turn In Spinning Out (Little, Brown, PB, $32.99), Free, no need to book. a plain old handprint into a work of art. Christine Darcas takes on the issues of love All craft supplies provided. Friday 30 July, versus career. Saturday 24 July, 4–6pm, 21 4.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Free, but Readings Hawthorn, Free, no need to book. 14 Kate Jennings bookings essential: 9819 1917. Cate Kennedy will launch Jon Bauer’s Rocks Peter Rose in conversation in the Belly (Scribe, PB, $32.95). Thursday 29 in conversation with with Jan McGuiness July, 6pm for 6.30pm, Bella Union, Level 1, Andrea Goldsmith Trouble: Evolution of a Radical (Black Inc., Trades Hall, Cnr Victoria and Lygon Streets, Peter Rose will talk about his PB, $32.95) collects Kate Jennings’ best and in August ... Carlton South. RSVP by Friday 23 July on new novel Roddy Parr short work from the last four decades. In 9349 5955 or [email protected]. (Fourth Estate, PB, Normally 1970, aged 21, she stunned a Sydney anti- 2 war rally with a pull-no-punches speech call- Join us for the launch of Fiona Wood’s debut $32.99, Our special price James Halliday YA novel Six Impossible Things (Pan, PB, $29.95) with Andrea ing for women’s empowerment which set the Wine critic James Halliday has a career that Wednesday $16.99). Thursday 29 July, 6pm, Readings Goldsmith. Roddy Parr takes tone for an unconventional life. spans over 40 years, and his annual wine 21 July, 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. us into the golden circle of a Free, companion is the No.1 bestselling wine literary giant. It is a world of but please book on 9819 1917. guide in Australia. James Halliday Wine 4 Readings Monthly July 2010 New Australian Writing Feature

Small-townLisa Gorton interviews Gregory Day about The Grand miraclesHotel(Vintage, PB, Normally $32.95, Our price $27.95)

just a fact for everyone. And that sense of what we as humans are in that place is par- ticularly rich now, I think, because we feel When I first started the places that we live in, the natural places, writing, I remember are in jeopardy.’ Noel and his friends create the Grand someone saying, Hotel in reaction to the corporate cultural tourism that is spreading across Mangowak. “How can you have Noel, who owns the Grand Hotel, and who tells its story, is an artist more interested in a story where Jane Dada than drinking. For him, the Grand Hotel is a modern-day attempt at spread- Austen sits alongside ing a new mutation of the Dada’s freedom virus: a creative, individual response to a game of country corporate control. ‘The Dada people were exemplars of that for me,’ says Day. ‘They football?” Well, I can were responding to the First World War: so atrocious, such a moment of industrialised well and truly read culture, the industrialisation of death, with these machines set against the human figure Jane Austen at half- in the landscape. The Dada response was, you can’t fight because they’ll just run you time at the football!” over. You can’t fight on their terms. You have to fight on your terms – you have to move the argument. For Dada artists, that meant unleashing what they called the freedom virus … It didn’t last long, it never For Victorian novelist Gregory Day, his teristic of Day to make a poetic allusion deur – like the explorer, Major Mitchell, could; because then it would have calcified. writing is inexorably linked to a sense of part of the real world of his novel: in The making his self-aggrandising mimetic maps, The corporates have always been deadly place. His three novels - all very different Grand Hotel, a local amateur historian lives the people were living in their imagination at colonising art for their own pathetic in form - are linked by their characters and in an upstairs room and, while he sleeps, as they built those hotels, just as Noel and purposes. I think Dada remains an appro- setting, the fictional Victorian coastal town his transistor radio broadcasts the history of Kooka are living in their imagintion when priate reaction to the blandness and scale of of Mangowak. Like the real-life coastal town the town as it plays out in his dreams. they create this Grand Hotel in Man- capitalism.’ Day calls his home, along Victoria's Great gowak.’ Ocean Road, Magowak is being transformed In his three novels about the fictional Man- Day’s achievement, in The Grand Hotel, by corporate cultural tourism. gowak, Day has invented miracles. He has The Grand Hotel is Day’s third novel set is to make these ideas part of the life of developed this particular kind of realism to in Mangowak – an imaginary town on his characters, and to make the life of his In The Grand Hotel (Vintage, PB, Normally catch the character of postmodern Austra- the south coast of Victoria, set between characters the force that drives his plot. $32.95, Our special price $27.95), his charac- lian life. Day explains, ‘When I first started the bush and the sea. Each novel has Day’s first Mangowak novel, The Patron ters fight back in a highly unusual fashion. writing, I remember someone saying, “How adopted a different narrative style. His Saint of Eels, won the Australian Literature Award-winning Australian poet, novelist and can you have a story where Jane Austen first, The Patron Saint of Eels, was a fable. Society Gold Medal; he is one of Austra- and critic Lisa Gorton spoke to Gregory Day sits alongside a game of country football?” Ron McCoy’s Sea of Diamonds, though set lia’s most popular writers. This success about The Grand Hotel for Readings’ New Well, I can well and truly read Jane Austen in contemporary Australia, took the style reflects his ability to bring different ways of Australian Writing Feature series. at half-time at the football!’ For Day, these of a nineteenth-century novel, while The thinking together. If The Grand Hotel is on juxtapositions define the nature of Aus- Grand Hotel works as a picaresque mystery. the one hand a novel of ideas, it is, on the tralian life. ‘I think Australia as an idea, What is consistent across all three novels is other hand, an engaging mystery. Day says, rather than a country, is a driving force for Day’s cast of characters and his lyrical, even ‘That’s storytelling, making the page turn a lot of us,’ he says. ‘It’s such an idea, and magical, sense of place. Day’s point is that and the characters live. It’s like an engine: it was always an idea … The way that idea our habitual way of describing reality does if there’s a bit sticking out here, it might be yrical though it is, Gregory was carried out means we’re thrown into not match the reality of our experience – in a great bit, but if it’s flapping around on its Day’s writing takes its constant juxtapositions. In my life and in particular, how a familiar place holds the own, it has to go. I always think, is this a energy from contradic- my interests – and this is true for all of us, past and present, memory, myth and fact story worth telling? Is it an amazing story? tion. He loves to challenge I think – we’re living with a series of things, together. Would you walk into a room and say, “I’ve stereotypes, to reconcile side by side, which, from some canonical got to tell you this!” It has to have some- seemingly incongruous view, would never be side by side. That’s This sense of place, more than anything thing of that for me.’ ideas. In his most recent what the colonies threw up. It’s a kind of else, defines the nature of Day’s realism, novel, The Grand Hotel, he tells how a realism, for me, to document that.’ which in the nature of its inventiveness, has Lisa Gorton is a poet, novelist and critic. group of friends create a Grand Hotel in most in common with Calvino’s Marcova- Her debut poetry collection, Press Release the fictional town of Mangowak. It’s a The Grand Hotel takes its name from a ldo and Furphy’s Such is Life. Day says, ‘For (Giramondo, PB, $22), won the Victorian form of protest: the local shire has roofed a 1920s novel and the 1932 film starring me, it’s a given that the past – and I mean, Premier’s Literary Award in 2008. L John Barrymore, Joan Crawford and Greta time prior to my birth – is in my present all section of the creek and converted the only local pub into lifestyle apartments. On the Garbo – at that time, the most expensive the time. We don’t need to read T.S. Eliot face of it, this could be a macho tale about film ever made. It is characteristic of Day’s to know about the relationship between the blokes and drinking; but this is a Dada playfulness to name his story of a small- past and the future and the present. It’s in happening, built on the site of the town’s town Aussie pub after this early Hollywood the nature of our biological and physiologi- first Grand Hotel. In this way, Day weaves extravaganza; Day’s playfulness typically cal set-up: we carry around time beyond ideas about Australian history, art, freedom works in the same way as his seriousness. our own span, all the time. When that type and consumer culture into the fast-moving He is fascinated by the combination of of existence is focused in one place, then story of a small-town pub. dream, practicality and self-delusion in the stories and the information, the feelings everyday life, saying: ‘The Grand Hotel as and inheritance, that we carry are embod- In Day’s Grand Hotel, the urinals play a concept actually enshrines a theme where ied in sites. Those sites are not just spaces; sound recordings, the burly barman is nick- juxtapositions are born. It is a self-generat- they’re also temporal narratives.’ named Joan Sutherland, and the windows ing site, where people come from different are boarded up to hide views of the sea. places and meet. Across Australia, in the ‘In the part of the world where I live, be- In the variety of their passions, the novel’s bush, are all these Grand Hotels, which are cause my family has been there a long time characters recall Dylan Thomas’s in the far from grand. That amuses me, going into … you just have to touch a thing, rub it a radio play, Under Milk Wood. It is charac- towns and seeing those attempts at gran- bit, for the stories to pour out. Now, that’s 5 Readings Monthly July 2010

Book Staff Review of the Month imperial bedrooms Q&A with Peter Rose Bret Easton Ellis Peter Rose is one of Austra- Picador. PB. $32.99 lia’s foremost literary figures Our special price $27.95 – well known in his I discovered Bret Easton Ellis long-running role as editor aged 15, during the 1988 of Australian Book Review Easter school holidays. and as author of the Accompanied by a friend bestselling memoir Rose Boys who wanted to see Moon- and Miles Franklin long- struck instead, I saw Less listed novel A Case of Knives. Jo Case spoke Than Zero at the old Hoyts in to him for Readings about his latest novel, a Bourke Street. The only wickedly funny satire set in the literary reason I wanted to see this film was my then world, Roddy Parr (Fourth Estate, PB, obsession with the Bangles’ version of Simon Normally $32.99, Our special price $29.95). and Garfunkel’s Hazy Shade of Winter, a power-pop masterpiece recorded for the In Roddy Parr, you return to the characters film’s soundtrack. and invented world of your first novel,A Case of Knives: ruthlessly charming sociopath I then sought out the book, and realised publisher Julia Collis and the famous Anthem Andrew McCarthy, cute as he was, was family, which includes a former PM and a totally wrong as Clay. His Clay was straight As well as being set in the literary world, the Nobel prize-winning author. What drew you to and concerned – the real fictional Clay was novel is littered with literary references, from return to this world? Was there unfinished busi- an amoral, bisexual coke-fiend who didn’t During my 20 years anecdotes involving your fictional character’s ness? And do you have plans for a third novel care much about anyone. I also learned friendship with the real-life Patrick White, to about Julia and the Anthems? that Julian, played wonderfully by Robert in publishing I’ve references to Henry James. Was this an aspect Downey Jr. (who later blamed making the Yes, as with nearly everything I write – you worked to weave into the text, or was it an film for escalating his drug problems) did unfinished business. I knew I wanted to worked with some organic process? And did you have any qualms not die in the book. Now, more than two write about a very similar world, bridging about mixing fact and fiction together (ie. decades later, Ellis has written the sequel. literature and politics and the performing real characters and Patrick White)? arts – so why not revisit the Anthem world, This film is referenced in Imperial Bedrooms’ It happened pretty automatically, without examining my characters from different per- desperadoes, but no soon to be famous opening line: ‘They had my fretting about the ethics of it. I’ve always spectives? All I had to do was to give Philip made a movie about us.’ From the start, the liked the roman-à-clef. Alan Hollinghurst Anthem, the former PM, a literary brother, one quite as diabolical fourth wall is broken, allowing Clay not only and Edward St Aubyn are just two British and hey presto! I was very pleased to be able to comment on the film itself (it didn’t turn writers who have done this brilliantly in to reacquaint myself with Julia Collis. All as Julia Collis. a profit, it was nothing like the book), but recent years. But we haven’t seen so much of my life I’ve been drawn to serial novels – or also to distance himself from the ‘author’ this in Australia. As for qualms: writers have romans-fleuves – with their gradual accre- Ellis, a passive and somewhat cruel observer I do think it is related to acting, to sheer many responsibilities, but they also have a tions. And yes, I do have plans for more. make-believe, which is probably why so who once hovered on the periphery of his certain licence. Ultimately, though, my book social scene. many novelists crave success on the stage, ei- is not about the heavyweights – it’s about Your book features some wonderfully complex ther physically or in a literary sense. Terrify- two young people who are tested. The book starts casually enough. Clay, having characters who are perversely likable – like ing though fiction can be – with its responsi- swapped cocaine for alcoholism, is back in Julia Collis and the famously reclusive, acerbic bilities to embody characters, dramatise their Roddy Parr, novice biographer, asks ‘who am Hollywood as a reasonably successful screen- (and contrary) world-renowned author David lives, imbue them with plausible yet original I most obligated to – reader, subject, publisher writer casting his next film – a period piece Anthem. They’re great fun to read – were they psychologies, understand everything about myself’. Who do you think a biographer is most set in the mid-eighties. The only problem is fun to create? And as a literary insider yourself, them – the pleasures are quite addictive. obligated to? Or does it depend on the book, that someone is following him and stalking did you draw on any real-life observations or Daunting it may be, but it’s also very play- the author, the subject and the relationships him via text message. After several awkward characters? ful, in the best sense – the lost sense. involved? encounters with his old friends (Blair and Not real people as such – that would be lim- Trent are living together, Rip is still sleazy, Years ago I wrote a family memoir, which iting, not to mention presumptuous. During The novel explores ideas of storytelling – in the and Julian is sober but strange) he meets, then made me realise what a complicated thing my 20 years in publishing I’ve worked with form of gossip, media reports, biography and beds, aspiring actress Rain Turner, with vague biography is, with the competing demands some real characters and desperadoes, but fiction based on fact – and how it shapes what promises of a role in the movie. of art, ethics, fidelity, veracity, empathy, no one quite as diabolical as Julia Collis. She we think we know about people and events. It entertainment, etc. No wonder so many Rain is too old for the part and has no dis- makes me want to take up smoking again reminds us that we need to be sceptical (or at biographers end up disliking their subjects. cernable talent, yet Clay – strangely and drink more cocktails. But I can’t deny least thoughtful) about what we read and hear. Will Roddy fall out of love with David An- beguiled by her – continues to lead her on. borrowing phrases and mannerisms and Was this something you specifically wanted to explore? What attracted you to these ideas? them? We shall see. His newfound obsession comes at a cost as predicaments from people I’ve known. That’s he slowly realises she is not who she seems, all a writer can do – the magpie life. Roddy, though clearly very bright, still Your novel makes some interesting observations and the text messages and shadowing cars behaves like a rather young man. He is about fame and how it can trick us into an just get worse. Was his meeting her really David Anthem says, ‘Fiction’s like play-acting. guileless in a pretty threatening world, full of imagined intimacy with public figures. It also accidental? And how is she connected to People don’t realise ... What we crave is other older characters who have been tested by life looks at the divide between the public figure almost everyone he knows? lives, other fates, respite from our own shriv- and who have acquired a kind of protective and the private person, and where these identi- elled selves.’ Do you agree with his view? Do It is at this point the novel becomes strange, carapace. Roddy has such idealised notions ties blur. Stella Anthem says to Roddy about her you enjoy the ‘play-acting’ aspect of writing brilliant and frightening, quite unlike any- about people. Now he comes up against uncle, ‘To you David is an idea, a phenom- fiction? masters of dissembling and evasion. thing you expected (but what do you expect enon, a library. To us he’s just an indispensable from Bret Easton Ellis?) Clay – previously father or husband or uncle.’ What interested a somewhat detached character – is drawn you about this subject? into a violent, Kafkaesque drama he is at Roddy is a thoroughly literary young man, the centre of, yet is continuously told is ‘not with a profound respect for David Anthem’s about him’. writing. But he also allows himself to be Slices of his private life, horrific and almost seduced by Anthem and his set, and we’ve unbelievable, are slowly revealed to the all seen what happens when the Great World reader, and late in the story, when ‘a copy decides to sport with an outsider. of the book that had been written about Your day job involves the serious business of us over 20 years ago’ is found floating in a editing a literary magazine (Australian Book swimming pool during a particularly violent Review) and writing reviews. Is it a relief to and distressing scene, I start to question indulge your darkly comic side in your novels? what is ‘real’ in the novel and what is not. It And do you find it difficult to switch between is this play with reality, even in the context different forms of writing – literary criticism, fic- of fiction, that is the genius (some would say tion, poetry – or does it offer welcome variety? pretension) of Ellis. It seems to suit my particular imagination. I Rumours of a film abound already, with talk know we’re all meant to concentrate on one of reuniting the original cast – including thing in this ultra-specialised world, but I Downey Jr., whose Julian will rise from the like switching off and becoming someone dead as if the first film had not been made. else, working another part of my brain, as it He will then win an Oscar for the role, cap- were. That’s probably why I have always cho- ping off his own Lazarus-style career resurrec- sen to marry literature with a professional tion. And that will be the best postscript to career of sorts. I’m not sure that isolation or this story. specialisation would suit me. Oslo Davis www.oslodavis.com Kate O'Mara is from Readings Carlton Readings Monthly July 2010 6 New Fiction AUTHOR the reasons behind this detachment from the real world, and the remarkable thing about TOU R Australian this book is that this seriously shocking denouement is not its most unsettling Fiction element. It is the story of Rose, and her search Special Price & Staff Review for something – men, purpose, passion or company – that is most compelling and Roddy Parr heartbreaking. A brilliant poet, Rose survives Peter Rose by working part-time in a publishing Fourth Estate. PB. Normally $32.95 company and finds solace not in her lacklus- Our special price $29.95 tre group of friends, but her therapist. Her The book’s blurb talks about manipulative ex-husband, the absent father how Peter Rose takes us into and the curiously named Gary Gravelly are all the ‘golden circle of a literary shady and elusive, but they are secondary to COUNTERINSURGENCY* HOW TO COOL THE PLANET* giant as seen through the eyes the gradual revelation of Rose’s character and David Kilcullen Jeff Goodell of Roddy Parr, an outsider, why she is drawn to such men. This book will an ambitious young man A compelling picture of modern warfare, Can out-there technology save the quietly creep up on you and have you by someone who’s had his boots on the ground world if we can’t be bothered lowering who has just completed his re-examining your own relationships. in the world’s worst trouble spots. greenhouse-gas emissions? PhD on the legendary David Jane Cockram is a guest reviewer Anthem’. While this is true, it does not do justice to the dazzling array of characters in Sustenance EVERY MAN IN THIS PLAY* this novel. All of the characters depicted in Simone Lazaroo VILLAGE IS A LIAR* Stuart Brown, MD this tightly woven book could well star in their own volume. The layers of stories craft a UWAP. PB. $32.95 Megan Stack ‘Reading this book can help portrayal of a society that hides behind fear, A moving tale of redemption A riveting, surprising the reader become happier and love from a three-time account of life in and more successful.’ pain and anger. It is less than ‘golden’ and more about basic human traits. The novel is winner of the WA Premier’s combat zones across — Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD, Book Awards. When a the Middle East. author of Happier compelling for this reason. Rose has written a novel about us all, although he has hidden it beautiful island hotel is behind high profile characters living as the taken hostage, the Balinese staff, Western guests and PRAGUE majority of us do not. Roddy Parr kept me CRAZY LIKE US* there because of the grand story, and stays poorly nourished captors Ethan Watters Arthur Phillips with me because of the kindness and empathy are brought together for one night. During How the US exports its ‘Ingenious debut novel … the author bestows on his characters. this time, the hotel’s cook is compelled to with a wry generosity and own ideas of mental Chris Gordon is events coordinator at Readings provide spiritual and physical sustenance to illness, and their haunting poignancy to rival everyone, regardless of their involvement. treatment, to the his wonderfully subversive wit.’ The siege affects everyone differently, and — The New York Times rest of the world. Special Price all will come away from it with profoundly new views on life. Making News Tony Wilson Nowhere Man www.scribepublications.com.au *Also available as eBooks Pier 9. PB. Normally $29.95 John M. Green Our special price $27.95 Pantera. PB. $32.99 Charlie Dekker is an Aussie Sonya Wheen’s husband

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WAG to hugely successful author of self-help only is this a white-knuckled thriller with a books and is raking in the millions. Lucas disturbing edge – its initial drafts predicted Dekker is their teenage son, a shy writer the future. In August 2001, the author struggling to emerge from the shadows of fictionally blew up New York’s World Trade both his famous parents. He wins a creative Centre. Following 9/11, he revised the novel writing competition sponsored by muck- and included a financial catastrophe before racking British tabloid The Globe and as he is the GFC, which he’s now brought in with initiated into the murky world of dodgy devastating effect. journalism, his father is caught in a masked ménage-a-trois that features in the same news- paper. Lucas’s junior column becomes an overnight sensation and the paparazzi start chasing him as much as his father. He faces a International tough decision: to report on the scandal that is affecting his own family, or clam up and see Fiction his shot at a writing career fade away? Tony Guest Review Wilson has crafted a darkly funny and revealing story about today’s celebrity culture, Kindling invasion of privacy and the machinations Darren Groth involved in creating a smutty story for the Hachette. PB. $24.99 masses. Some novels – even some Kath Lockett is a guest reviewer truly great novels – can take a Ches is a psychologist specialising in trauma. He is eighty while to seduce you. This is years old and blind. When he is called as an expert witness not the case with Kindling, Guest Review in a murder trial he is baffled by the man in the dock: Huey which opens on a panicked Dunstan is quiet, polite and sorry for all the trouble he has Men of Bad Character man searching his house for caused. Can he be responsible for this brutal crime? Kathleen Stewart his son even as reason dictates that the boy isn’t The Crime of Huey Dunstan is a heartrending novel UQP. PB. $32.95 Don’t be fooled by the jaunty there; a mere two pages in and already you about justice, the law and humanity. cover of the latest book from know that Darren Groth is not a writer who acclaimed writer Kathleen wastes time. What follows is alternately ‘A tale told with such beguiling modesty that its Stewart– the men of bad relayed by the father, Nate, and his ten-year- old autistic son, Kieran. Several fiction writers toughness, maturity and emotional power will character from the title are less good-hearted rakes than have been drawn to depict autism in recent take you by surprise.’ HELEN GARNER men of seriously bad, bad years, the most notable example being Mark character. The woman who Haddon withThe Curious Incident of the Dog loves them is Rose. She is a bit of a drifter, in the Night-Time. But while Haddon never actually specifies that his protagonist is TEXTPUBLISHING.COM.AU and seems to be floating through life in a daze. Only gradually do we become aware of autistic, it’s likely that those who enjoyed Curious Dog (and even the two or three 7 Readings Monthly July 2010 people who are yet to read it) will also love sells goods, his mule pulling a cart full of life’s Special Price Special Price Kindling. For, amongst other things, Groth necessities: pins, coffee, tobacco. In a place suggests that accepting imperfections – both where hard winters bring no income from his Inheritance Tony and Susan others’ and our own – is more rewarding than snowbound neighbours, it is a difficult living, Nicholas Shakespeare Austin Wright misguided. The story of Kindling is engross- his own violent epileptic seizures sometimes Harvill. PB. Normally $32.95 Atlantic. HB. Normally $29.99 ing, and its characters beautifully realised, but hindering his route. Howard’s observations of Our special price $27.95 Our special price $24.95 it’s ultimately this kind of insight that makes the landscape around him, and George’s of his Finding out you’ve inherited Susan Morrow is living the novel irresistible. family, make for an eloquent and vivid read. 17 million pounds sounds comfortably in her second Olivia Mayer is a guest reviewer Interspersed with beautiful meditations on like a dream come true. But marriage, when a mysterious Latin phrases and notations on the workings there’s more to it than that in parcel arrives. It’s from her and history of clocks, to whittle it down to a Staff Review this powerful tale of betrayal ex-husband, who she left 15 story of a man and his father is to miss the and redemption. Andy’s not years ago, and inside is the The Radleys beauty of this novel, which is the writing going so well – his fiancée is manuscript of his first book. Matt Haig itself. Harding’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about to dump him, he’s As she reads it, Susan Text. PB. $32.95 is an original, captivating book. stuck in a dead-end job, and he never has becomes fascinated and then obsessively Home sweet home for the Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton enough cash. Plus, he’s running late to his entangled with its protagonist, Tony Hast- Radley family is a nice house, favourite teacher’s funeral. When the funeral ings. Originally published in 1994, nine years in a nice street, in a nice, The Daylight and the leads to unexpected consequences, Andy before Austin Wright’s death, this reprint is a quiet British village. Peter the Dust: Selected Short needs to decide how far he’ll go to change his timely promotion of a dark, riveting and village doctor and his wife Stories life. emotionally arresting American classic. Helen live the kind of life Janet Frame you’d expect, humming along The Truth About Love Vintage. PB. $23.95 Guest Review to the tune of suburban In 2004, Janet Frame died at Josephine Hart mediocrity, punctuated with the excitement the age of 79, shortly after Tiger Hills Little, Brown. PB. $24.99 of book club meetings and weekly dinners receiving the New Zealand Sarita Mandanna Josephine Hart, the bestsell- with the neighbours. Their teenagers, Clara Icon award. She had spent Orion. PB. $32.99 ing author of Damage (filmed and Rowan, are mired in the usual teenage much of her life writing There’s been a bit of a buzz in with Jeremy Irons and angst and embarrassment. So what is it about critically acclaimed fiction, India about Sarita Mandan- Juliette Binoche), is re- the Radleys that makes them appear so including the diverse stories na’s debut novel, Tiger Hills. nowned for her taut, unusual? Why does the chatter and chirp of in this collection, produced Quite apart from the large emotionally resonant writing birds stop near their house? What are they over four decades. All are powerful, unique advance she reportedly about the dark side of love. doing with all that 60+ sunscreen? When testaments to her genius, and together they received for it, it is set in the This intense story, set in Clara reacts to the unwanted advances of a cover a lifetime’s worth of themes and Coorg region in southern Ireland, is about the often unbearable weight local boy at a party with zeal, the blood- preoccupations. Some are fantastic, some India, an area rarely explored of humanity’s most celebrated emotion. It soaked outcome starts to answer some are realistic. Five have never before been in English literature, even though it is often explores the ways in which we hide pain from questions, but raises even more: the Radleys collected. touted as the ‘Scotland of India’. Set in the those we love, use love as a healing balm, are a family of abstaining vampires. Whether Coorg’s lush coffee plantations, this is the surrender to love, and sacrifice our lives for you are a vamp-fan or not, The Radleys is a our loved ones. The Timescalls it a ‘bleak tale, Guest Review story of a beautiful, feisty young woman, dark, thrilling and laugh-out-loud funny Devi, her childhood friend, Devanna, and beautifully told, about the one burden we portrait of a modern family that strikes at the The Crime of Huey Machu, the tiger killer. The first time Devi must all, as human beings, survive: love’. unbeating heart of what lies beneath. Dunstan meets Machu, she decides that he is the one Ingrid Josephine is marketing and events for her. But Devanna in turn loves Devi assistant at Readings James McNeish Text. PB. $32.95 deeply and the tragic consequences of his Finally: an original psycho- unspoken love will tear all their lives apart. Journals Guest Review logical thriller! Professor Tiger Hills also explores the changing political Kill Your Darlings 2 Chesney is a blind psychol- climate in late nineteenth and early twentieth- Rebecca Starford (ed.) Light Boxes ogist specialising in trauma. century India, and the effects of colonialism KYD. PB. $18 Shane Jones When Chesney is first asked and then independence on this hill commu- The first volume of this new Hamish Hamilton. $19.95 to interview Huey Dunstan nity. A sweeping saga, this is a tantalising Melbourne-based quarterly Light Boxes is simple and in his cell, the accused openly read, with some critics labelling it a cross sold out its print run. Issue 2 elegant, but this means that confesses to the motiveless between The Thorn Birds and Gone with the will once again provoke and Shane Jones is able to explore murder of an innocent man and apologises Wind. entertain, with another lead a vivid and completely for all the trouble he’s caused. Yet Chesney Kabita Dhara is a guest reviewer essay set to get people different way of telling a listens to his sixth sense (heightened perhaps talking: Monica Dux on the story. His writing is poetic legacy of The Female Eunuch, due to his blindness) and is not satisfied, Special Price and beautiful and made all sensing there is more to the case than first 40 years on. There are humourous essays from the more unique by the way appears. Why does Huey seem determined to The Passage Benjamin Law and Michaela McGuire; Ruth he alters perceptions or changes the way text incriminate himself? What follows is Justin Cronin Starke on meeting with Mills & Boon in appears on a page. He does this with such Chesney’s account of the case. The reader Orion. HB. Normally $35 London; Gideon Haigh on biography; skill that instead of standing out, his tech- follows his thoughts and reflections as he Our special price $29.95 retrospectives on Love My Way, True Blood niques augment the story. Light Boxes is a tale pieces together clues from Huey’s past and the Even before publication, this and Barbara Trapido; and new fiction from of a town persecuted by winter, but it is a psychological mystery is gradually untangled. sci-fi epic was an internation- Virginia Peters, Leanne Hall, Pierz Newton- strange winter. Called ‘February’, this winter The novel is beautifully written, with great ally famous book. It attracted John and Sam Rutter. makes its own demands, bans thoughts of insight into life in the shoes of a blind man. a $3.75 million publishing flight and slowly erodes the people of the Within the setting of the courtroom, deal, sparked a Hollywood Staff Review town. It has lasted for hundreds of days and McNeish steers us away from the strict ideas bidding war, and is the first as it gets worse, the solutions become more of guilt versus innocence, to issues of justice of a planned trilogy. Fortu- Harvest: Winter 2010 drastic. This is his first novel and it is clear and humanity. A highly recommended read. nately, it lives up to the hype. PB. $16.50 that Jones has approached it with enough Kiera Gee is a guest reviewer Six-year-old Amy Harper Bellafonte has a Harvest, one of Australia’s open-mindedness to make its uniqueness critical destiny to play out in Justin Cronin’s newest crop (haha) of effective. Like the title suggests, Light Boxes is Special Price dark vision of the future. A plague wipes out literary magazines, has tender and illuminating, a story that is small most of humanity, its victims turning into quickly established itself as enough to be read by anyone, but large The Importance of ravenously hungry killers, and the world is one of its best. The first enough to fill any heart. transformed into a nightmare. thing that strikes the casual Rafael S.W. is a freelance reviewer Being Seven: 44 Scotland Street, browser is what a beautiful Book 6 Stories: All-New Tales object it is – the thick, Staff Review Neil Gaiman creamy paper stock, the intricate illustra- Alexander McCall Smith tions, the generous space and design layout Polygon Press. HB. Normally $34.95 & Al Sarrantonio (eds) Tinkers Headline. HB. $32.99 showcasing each piece. But of course, the Paul Harding Our special price $27.95 real delight is the writing; a savvy mix of Another delightful tale from There’s an exciting and Bellevue. PB. $23.95 surprising diversity of genre opinion, lengthy review, fiction and poetry. With the looming notion of an author who never fails to Stand-outs for me included co-editor please, this is a brilliant new in this collection. The only his nearing death, George rule is that all of the stories Davina Bell’s thoughtful and provoking Washington Crosby lies in addition to the series. So response to Ted Jones’ famous swipe at far, each novel has been a are imaginative as opposed to the middle of his living realistic fiction. Neil Gaiman ‘navel-gazing’ young writers in Mother room, on a rented hospital page-turning, witty and Jones; Chris Flynn’s bound-to-be-controver- sometimes uproariously – author of Stardust and bed, surrounded by his Coraline – and Al Sarranto- sial piece urging Australian writers to be family. His illness causes time funny look at the inhabit- more global in their outlook; and gorgeous, ants of 44 Scotland Street. Join Bertie and nio have done a fantastic job bringing to become a loose construct together authors from Joyce Carol Oates to poignant, finely wrought stories from Ruby and the life he has lived – as well as the life of his overbearing mother; Angus Lordie and Murray and Nicola Redhouse. This his gold-toothed dog, Cyril; and a familiar Joanne Harris to Chuck Palahniuk. Fresh new his father before him – become as immediate voices are also present in the mix. Quite home-grown magazine is a fine read. as reality. In the unforgiving landscape of cast of favourites, as they attempt the Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly age-old quest for happiness. This is the best simply, this is a stunning, mind-opening rural late-eighteenth to early-nineteenth- collection with something for everyone. century Northern America, Howard Crosby kind of bedtime reading. Readings Monthly July 2010 8

New Crime Fiction Dead Write with Kate O'Mara It’s long, clichéd, over-com- love the others you’ll probably love this. coming detective, is called to investigate and Ethel and Joan Go to Phuket – releases plicated and in some places mysterious human remains in an old his newest Dr. Siri Paiboun caper this month rather implausible, but We have two more special building, and what she discovers will shake with the comparatively staid title Love Songs Giorgio Faletti’s gargantuan price crime novels this the police force to its core. from a Shallow Grave (Quercus, PB, $29.95). I Kill (Pier 9, PB, Normally month, both aimed at $32.95, Our special price completely different Staying local, The Boys Karin Slaughter, who is $24.95) is still my pick for audiences. Raphael Car- screenwriter Stephen Sewell’s wonderfully self-deprecating the month. Despite its faults, detti’s Death in the Latin Animal Kingdom (Victory, enough to have an ‘I Hate I really couldn’t put it down and was quite Quarter (Little, Brown, PB, PB, $29.99), based on David Karin Slaughter in 50 Words sad when it ended – everything needed for a Normally $32.99, Our Michôd’s highly acclaimed or Less’ competition on her blockbuster commercial thriller is here: exotic special price $27.95) is an academic mystery film – itself loosely based on own website, unleashes setting (Monte Carlo); burnt-out FBI agent set in and around the venerated halls of the the infamous Pettingill clan Broken (Century, PB, with a tragic past; dogged detective whom no Sorbonne. This received some rave reviews in and the Walsh Street murders $32.95), and Simon Kernick one believes until it’s too late; and a particu- Europe, with L’Express comparing it to one – is released this month. gives us The Last 10 Seconds (Bantam, PB, of my favourites, Arturo Perez-Reverte. $32.95), described rather clumsily by one larly nasty serial killer with serious family Until a Swedish bookseller issues. Throw in some handsome playboys, reviewer as having ‘more twists and turns Lynda La Plante will be recommended his first book than a boa constrictor on speed’. talk radio, psychotic US army folk, Formula 1 preaching to the converted Echoes of the Dead to me, I’d Rain Man glitz and an autistic boy with a -like with her sixth Anna Travis never heard of Johan And finally, no Dead Write memory, and you have some seriously silly novel Blind Fury (Simon & Theorin, who won last year’s would be complete without and spectacularly violent adventure. Schuster, PB, Normally Glass Key Award for The some true crime. This Janet Evanovich’s Sizzling $32.99, Our special price Darkest Room. Now trans- month, I’m going a little Sixteen (Headline, PB, $27.95), but her huge fan lated into English (Black highbrow with a selection Normally $32.99, Our base will not be disappointed. Swan, PB, $24.95), this second instalment in from one of those ‘serious’ special price $27.95) is the A murderer she helped put away contacts her a planned quartet set on the windswept island publishers. Paul Schneider’s Bonnie and Clyde latest Stephanie Plum, and with information he claims will solve a triple of Öland is, if it’s anywhere near as good as (Henry not having a copy of the homicide – but does he really want to help? the first, sure to be a treat for all of you who Holt, PB, $25) is a well-researched, beauti- book, I can’t find much that love that Scandinavian ‘death in the cold’ fully written piece on two of history’s most Set in Sydney in the vibe, as an astute Readings customer once glamorised and perhaps misunderstood synopsises the plot in any post-Roger Rogerson, post meaningful way. Even a search on the usually coined the genre. outlaws, weaving fact into a stunning Police Integrity Commission narrative that will keep you up all night helpful fantasticfiction.co.uk site only turned early nineties, Ex-NSW Just briefly, author and grab some donuts and – even though you know how the story ends. up gibberish like this; ‘ police officer P.M. Newton’s cartoonist Colin Cotterill – Cluck-in-a-Bucket And get ready for grand- debut Old School (Viking, who in his varied writing scale fun Number sixteen is a sure-fire bet For PB, $32.95) comes highly career has given us such bestseller lists: number one! ’ (capitalisation recommended by me and wonderful titles as Pool and and punctuation as published). I can tell you several others whose opinions count for its Role in Asian Commu- there’s a stoner, a guy called Vinnie and a more (including Matthew Reilly and nism, Disco for the Departed drug-dealer with a pet alligator, and if you Andrew Rule). Nhu ‘Ned’ Kelly, an up-and- Bonnie and Clyde

Naxos New Booksfor anyone Non-fiction with a passing interest in The Blue Hour: AudioBooks Australia’s landscape and the woman who A Portrait of Jean Rhys Biography gave it a voice. Lilian Pizzichini Samantha Ellen-Bound is from Guest Review Bloomsbury. PB. $24.99 CAE Book Groups A great modernist writer, My Blood’s Country Jean Rhys is most famous Fiona Capp Guest Review for her novel Wide Sargasso A&U. PB. $27.99 Sale Sea – a superb take on A long-time admirer of poet My Dirty Shiny Life Charlotte Brontë’s Mr Judith Wright’s work, Fiona Lily Bragge Rochester and the ‘mad- Capp wrote My Blood’s Viking. PB. $32.95 woman in the attic’. As this Country with the intention Writer and performer Lily vivid and sensitive biogra- of tracing the landscape that Bragge has certainly experi- phy shows, the novel was also partly served as inspiration for enced more than most when autobiographical, as Rhys grew up in the most of Wright’s poetry, but it comes to toxic family West Indies and led a deeply troubled, also Wright’s experience of dynamics and rampant dislocated life after moving to Europe. In it; how it infused the way she saw the world addictions. The story of her the words of The Daily Telegraph, ‘Pizzichini and the people living in it. In a sort of dirty, shiny life is not a pretty shows a near-perfect understanding of her pilgrimage, Capp physically travels all over one. But then, as she says: subject’. Australia, retracing Wright’s steps from her ‘Pretty is not and never was my lot.’ She Up to childhood home in New England, to the spares us few details in this firecracker of a Every Man in this mountains and rainforests of Queensland, memoir. Her childhood was spent pulled Village is a Liar: to Wright’s final resting place in Canberra. between a charming, sociopathic career An Education in War Through Capp’s anecdotes, research and criminal father and head-teacher mother. % own encounters, we get an insight into the Oh, and don’t forget Uncle Bob the paedo- Megan Stack landscape that shaped both Wright’s poetry phile. In adult life, fondness for booze and Scribe. PB. $35 off and her political activism. Capp writes that pills, escalating to a full-blown heroin When 9/11 happened, Megan Stack was a fresh- 30selected classic and her intention was not to worship, but to addiction, saw her losing both custody of her learn. Her growing frustration with her son and her grip on life. Crippling bouts of faced 25-year-old foreign contemporary fiction, inability to do so is apparent when she finds depression, suicide attempts and a stint in a correspondent. A few weeks so much of the land changed or destroyed locked psychiatric ward probably didn’t help. later, she found herself in poetry and children’s from what Wright knew and wrote about But at the point when the only way left was the Middle East. From classics on audio CD – perhaps a perfect analogy to the very either up or terminally out, Bragge found Afghanistan and Pakistan, ideas Wright was trying to communicate. salvation in a way you may not see coming. she travelled to violence- Sale on all through July, Capp writes with a high reverence for both My Dirty Shiny Life is consistently eye-open- ravaged Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya her literary hero and the landscapes she ing and entertaining, with judicious use of and Yemen, with many narrow escapes at Readings shops and visits. There is a lovely, nostalgic feel for humour cutting through the darkest along the way. Her gripping and breathtak- at www.readings.com.au. ing memoir, written in a novelistic style, place and the environment. The insights car-crash moments. Handy Life Rules, such Sale on at all Readings shops except into Wright’s beliefs, loves and family as ‘No. 19: Ecstasy is not child-friendly’, offers a first-hand account of combat zones, and charts her gradual move from excite- State Library. Please note this offer relationships are touching without ever offer tips for readers seeking moral guidance. is only available for a limited time falling into sentimentality. Fans of Wright’s Vicky Booth is Program Administrator of CAE ment to disillusionment as the body count and stock is limited. And please work will find My Blood’s Country satisfying Book Groups mounts up around her. note that there are no rainchecks. and fascinating, but it is also a great read Readings Monthly July 2010 9

The Frock-Coated Communist: The Life Australian Studies and Times of the Special Price Original Champagne Socialist Kevin Rudd: The Making Tristram Hunt of a Prime Minister Penguin. PB. $26.95 Patrick Weller Karl Marx wasn’t the only MUP. HB. Normally $59.95 father of communism. One Our special price $49.95 of his most famous works, The first two years of any The Communist Manifesto, prime minister’s tenure was co-authored by demand a steep learning Freidrich Engels, a tactician curve. This unique biogra- and thinker in his own right, phy takes us behind the who expressed profound office – and the man who views on everything from feminism to holds it – as never before Darwinism. But although Engels’ politics revealed in Australian were radical, he lived comfortably as a politics. Embedded political scientist and middle-class Victorian gentleman. How did biographer Patrick Weller spent two years he reconcile his political ideals with his observing and talking to the people around personal life? According to The Guardian, Rudd to explain how one person came to Tristram Hunt tells Engels’s complex story the job and sought to meet its demands. with ‘affectionate objectivity’ and ‘remark- able clarity’. Special Price My Friend the Hawke: The Mercenary Prime Minister James Brabazon Blanche d’Alpuget Text. PB. $34.95 MUP. HB. $59.99 Making friends with a Our special price $44.95 notorious mercenary doesn’t In an election year, it’s lead to a heart-warming tale, prudent to look back at the as British war reporter James figures who shaped Austra- Brabazon found. He and lian politics. This is a timely Nick du Toit, an infamous work from Blanche African mercenary, first met d’Alpuget, well-known on the bloody frontlines of author of the bestselling and the Liberian civil war – and when du Toit award-winning Robert J. became Brabazon’s bodyguard, he was the Hawke: A Biography – and, infamously, the only journalist permitted to film behind other woman during Bob Hawke’s first rebel lines. But then Brabazon found marriage, now his second wife. Not himself embroiled in a dangerous, betrayal- surprisingly, this is a thorough, intriguing filled world. Du Toit ended up in prison; and intimate look at Hawke’s time in Brabazon wrote this book. power, combined with an astute analysis of how power is deployed. The Well at the World’s End The Family File A.J. Mackinnon Mark Aarons Black Inc. PB. $32.95 Black Inc. PB. $34.95 The quest for eternal youth Aged just 14, Mark Aarons’s has inspired some excellent father attracted the attention stories – and here is another of ASIO. Over the years, one, in the original and they compiled an 85-volume astonishing form of a file on him. At 13, Aarons memoir. The Well at the followed in his father’s World’s End is a mysterious, footsteps, continuing a legendary pool rumoured to family tradition of commu- be the Scottish fountain of youth. On nism, which in the eyes of ASIO made leaving his job, A.J. McKinnon set out by them ‘subversive revolutionaries’. Now a land and sea to find the Well, with nothing documentary maker, journalist and author, but a rucksack, some fireworks and a map Aarons has finally gained access to his of the world. This is a modern-day, real-life family’s ASIO file. He has combined this Gulliver’s Travels by the engaging author of with his family’s own stories to recount a The Unlikely Voyage of Jack De Crow. fascinating tale of Australian radicalism.

The Diaries of Sofia Special Price Tolstoy Sofia Tolstoy (with a foreword The Making of Modern by Doris Lessing) Australia Alma. PB. $29.95 William McInnes For nearly 50 years, Sofia Hachette. PB. Normally $35 Tolstoy was married to the Our special price $29.95 author of War and Peace and In 1945, Australia was a Anna Karenina. She listened different country to the one to his stomach complaints we inhabit today. How did and his tales of novels in we get from there to here? In progress. She bore children, an evocative examination of raised them, and then our national journey, helped raise their children. She lived William McInnes has through a turbulent time in Russian blended his own anecdotes history, and turbulent fights in her mar- with those of other Australians, on the riage, which eventually estranged her from themes of romance, religion, family and her husband. All the while, she kept this home. McInnes is also working with valuable, compelling diary, until Tolstoy's Essential Media and Entertainment on a death in 1910. 'The diary entries bear four-part documentary based on the book, ;GDBI=:6JI=DGD;EA6N:GH witness to a remarkable life: the life of an and they’re collecting more Australian exceptional woman, married to one of the stories. To contribute, or read other stories, most exceptional men of the time, with all visit: http://makingaustralia.abc.net.au. her passions and difficulties laid bare. This ;gdb[ddiWVaa]ZgdidaVj\]^c\"hidX`oZgd# is a book that is interesting for what it says about the predicament of women in the IVWad^YhVgZ[jcjci^andjgYVYWZXdbZhi]Zhidgn### past, and how that compares to their present circumstances.' ‒ The SundayTimes 10 Readings Monthly July 2010 Rare & Curious: Accompanied by stunning photographs, this The Secret History of journey through Irish-Australian experience Great new titles Governor Macquarie’s sharply brings into focus the period between 1798’s Irish Rebellion in NSW and 1921’s from Hachette Collectors’ Chests peak of Irish influence and visibility – also the Elizabeth Ellis year the Irish achieved their modern indepen- PORTRAIT Miegunyah Press. HB. $49.95 dence.

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Unsurprisingly, a high academic ORION TPB3DVVDJH73%$86B3)3LQGG ROYAL 234mm x 153mm  Rise of the Ruddbot: Observations from standard is displayed here – Macintyre is the THE PASSAGE Ernest Scott professor of history at the the Gallery University of Melbourne and the former Justin Cronin Annabel Crabb A journey is about to begin. An president of the Academy of the Social Black Inc. PB. $32.95 Sciences in Australia. epic journey that will take you Despite what the cover through a world transformed implies, this is not a dubious by man’s darkest dream, to the sci-fi novel about our prime very heart of what it means to minister zapping Australia be human. And beyond. with his laser eyes – instead, Cartoons it’s an insightful and hilarious Overheard political commentary. Oslo Davis $35.00 9780733624940 Walkley Award-winner Arcade. PB. $20 Annabel Crabb, the ABC’s chief online Long before he came on political writer, is at her best here, as she board as Readings’ resident dissects our key political figures – from Tony cartoonist (I still can’t believe ‘People Skills’ Abbott to Julia ‘La Gillardine’ our luck), I was a huge fan of Gillard. A fantastic read for a turbulent Oslo Davis, thanks to his election year. whimsical, witty and thoroughly entertaining Shitstorm: Inside ‘Overheard’ cartoons in The Labor’s Darkest Days Sunday Age. For the uninitiated, ‘Overheard’ cartoons illustrate a snippet of overheard Lenore Taylor & David Uren conversation from the public places of MUP. PB. $34.99 Melbourne, beautifully evoked by Davis’s If the vulgarity of ‘shitstorm’ trademark line-drawings. The humour is COMPANION BOOK worries you, keep in mind often rooted in the disconnect between what that it’s the term Kevin Rudd is said and the situation, and the small ironies TO THE 1982 used to describe the global and hallmarks of modern life (for example, a MAKING OF MODERN NATIONAL financial crisis. And, consider- lone man on the street lying down his mobile AUSTRALIA ing the scope of the disaster, it that he’s ‘in a business meeting’). And, of wasn’t inaccurate. Rudd and William McInnes BESTSELLER course, there’s the prurience of collectively his government hadn’t been in listening in to people’s unassuming, spontane- Written by bestselling author power long when they were forced to deal ous conversations; the little thrill of recognis- William McInnes, with Since its first publication in with the worst economic crisis in 75 years. ing the locations. The observations and contributions from people 1982, Blanche d’Alpuget’s Lenore Taylor and David Uren have based eavesdroppings range from Melbourne hip (at their inside-story look at Labor’s response on right round the country, this Robert J Hawke has remained what looks like a literary event: ‘I love going is an affectionate journey interviews with all of the key political players. the benchmark by which out and catching up with everyone I hate’) to through the post-war years the universal (on a brutally packed tram: ‘I in Australia. other political biographies are A Voice of Reason: can’t tell if that’s my phone vibrating or measured. Reflections on someone else’s’). This fantastic collection Australia contains over 100 ‘Overheards’ for you to 9780349122557 $32.99 9780349122557 This all-new biography, Hawke: Ian Lowe revisit and enjoy at your leisure. Brilliant. The Prime Minister, begins UQP. PB. $34.95 Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly as Bob Hawke wrestles the When we think about the Labor leadership from Bill world’s end, disaster block- Hayden and a few weeks later busters might lead us to wins the 1983 federal election picture a tidal wave hitting Environment to become Prime Minister, the White House. Australia, How to Cool our fragile home, might not the Planet: where he presides over some of come into it at all – but in his the most influential economic informative and well-reasoned Geoengineering reforms Australia had ever seen book, Professor Ian Lowe pulls our nation’s and the Audacious and steers Labor to victory fate into view. A leading scientist and the Quest to Fix the through three subsequent president of the Australian Conservation Earth’s Climate Fund, Lowe argues that in order to survive elections. Jeff Goodell the twenty-first century, we need to act now Scribe. PB. $35 on more than just climate change. ‘Geoengineering’ might bring DEATH IN THE AVAILABLE 14 JULY to mind bizarre ways of LATIN QUARTER Sinners, Saints counteracting climate change & Settlers – at least, it did for Jeff Raphael Cardetti Richard Reid & Brendon Goodell when he came across A riveting and thrilling adventure Kelson (photographer) the term. This is his thought- through the narrow streets and National Museum of Australia. PB. $39.95 ful, thoroughly researched palatial mansions of Paris’s Shamrocks, leprechauns and look at scientists who are atmospheric Latin Quarter. crocks of gold aren’t the only pursuing diverse methods to fight catastro- testaments to the major Irish phe, including CO2-sucking contraptions cultural influence in Australia. and cloud-brightening machines that would Since the First Fleet, Irish deflect sunlight. In a Clean Skies interview, immigrants and their when asked how likely it is that some of these techniques will eventually be implemented, www.mup.com.au descendants have played a central role in our history. Goodell didn’t hesitate: ‘I think it’s inevitable.’ 11 Readings Monthly July 2010 The World According The German Genius: to Monsanto: Europe’s Third Pollution, Politics Renaissance, and Power the Second Scientific Marie-Monique Robin Revolution and the Spinifex. PB. $34.95 Twentieth Century We’re often too busy to Peter Watson think about where our food Simon & Schuster. HB. $49.99 comes from. But as this Before the Nazis took power, widely-acclaimed exposé and Germany had been building its companion documentary itself up as a Western film demonstrate, we should intellectual and cultural make time to pay attention. centre since the mid-1700s. Marie-Monique Robin spent In 1933, German philoso- three years investigating Monsanto, the phers, scientists, engineers, world’s leading producer of GMOs. In this artists and writers had won prize-winning, controversial account, she more Nobel prizes than the British and lays out the dirt she dug up on the recently Americans combined. Of course, Hitler’s ‘green’ Monsanto’s history with hazardous warped efforts to promote his nation’s inter- chemicals. Monsanto’s GM corn and soy ests backfired, eclipsing Germany’s achieve- products are found in a high percentage of ments with a legacy of evil. Peter Watson households. illuminates the development of the ‘German genius’, examining how it shaped and continues to shape the Western world. The Icarus Syndrome: CPoliticsounterinsurgency A History of American David Kilcullen Hubris Scribe. PB. $29.95 Peter Beinart For those seeking to MUP. HB. $34.99 understand the struggle In the Greek legend, Icarus against terrorism, this is a grew overconfident, flew too great place to start. It offers close to the sun, and rare, clear-headed insight plummeted when his into the realities of the ‘War wax-structured wings on Terror’. Dr David melted. Peter Beinart’s Kilcullen has his PhD in insightful book draws on political anthropology, but he’s not merely this tale in its examination an academic – he spent 22 years in the of three American generations and their Australian army, before serving in the US actions during World War I, the Vietnam State Department. Notably, Kilcullen War and the recent Iraq war, respectively. worked as a senior advisor to General He makes a convincing case that arrogance David Petraeus, famous for ‘the Surge’ and optimism led these generations to go strategy in Iraq. too far. Newsweek says ‘it’s a rollicking history … Beinart is a wonderful story- penguin.com.au The Party: The Untold teller’. Story of China’s Communist Rulers Moral Combat: A Richard McGregor History of Word War II Allen Lane. HB. $49.95 Michael Burleigh China has developed into a HarperCollins. HB. $69.99 superpower, and under- There are hundreds of books standing the people in about World War II – in- charge is increasingly credibly, this offers an important. Strangely, there original take. By examining hasn’t been an in-depth look the moral sentiments of the at the Chinese Communist leaders and societies Party – the world’s largest involved in the war, Michael political organisation – until now. After 20 Burleigh makes an astute years of reporting in the region, Richard analysis of the ways in which these moral McGregor delves into the truth about foundations influenced what are now seen China’s secretive rulers, and looks at how as the war’s key events. The Daily Telegraph they can maintain their grip on the world’s calls his book ‘a work of erudition, vast most populous country. According to practical knowledge and abundant common Forbes, ‘McGregor lays bare the secretive sense, beautifully and wittily written, and machinery of the party’. packed with insight’.

History The Birth of Classical GCulturalaza Law: L aw,Studies Europe: A History Morality and Politics from Troy to Raimond Gaita (ed.) Augustine UWAP. PB. $29.95 Simon Price & This thought-provoking Peter Thonemann collection is based on last year’s Wednesday Lectures – Allen Lane. HB. $69.95 an annual series of free Even after thousands of public lectures delivered at years, Western society the Australian Catholic continues to retain much of University. The collection classical culture. Not only explores the moral dilemma are we still obsessed by we found ourselves in, following the Israeli ancient gods and heroes, but invasion of the Gaza Strip. Raimond Gaita our languages, calendar and is a professor of philosophy at the ACU, political systems – just to and is currently taking part in this year’s name a few – have all been shaped by the Wednesday Lectures on international law. classical era, which developed in the Mediterranean. But, as this fascinating and elegantly presented book points out, those who lived during the classical era were influenced by their own reverence for an even more ancient past. Readings Monthly July 2010 12 A Short History of Celebrity Fred Inglis CPsychologyrazy Like Us: Princeton University Press. HB. $47.95 The Globalisation of A sensational Some might be surprised to learn that ‘celebrity’ wasn’t the American Psyche disappearance and born with the Beatles. The Ethan Watters a grand mystery cover of this enlightening Scribe. PB. $35 For decades, America has that is deadly for history displays a portrait of Lord Byron, the ‘mad, bad been homogenising world those who seek and dangerous to know’ culture with everything from to solve it. Romantic celebrity poet. McDonalds to Coke – but Byron is just one of many who’ve taken part that’s not all. In this unset- This is the true in celebrity culture, examined here by Fred tling book, Ethan Watters story of what lies Inglis, a professor of cultural history. He looks examines how ideas about at how celebrity has changed over more than mental health set out by the hidden, deep in two centuries, reflecting our best and worst, American Psychological Association are the Amazon. entertaining us and encouraging social spreading around the world, with increasingly cohesion. problematic results. Recently interviewed on The Daily Show, Watters posed the question: ‘Do we really want the rest of the world thinking like us, in this way?’ The Boston Globe calls his book ‘groundbreaking and Food & Wine shocking’. Special Price It Tastes Better: Significant Literary Event Over 100 Recipes Using My Favourite Careers Sustainable Produce Special Price Bestselling author Peter Kylie Kwong 101 things I Rose reveals an insider’s Lantern Books. HB. Normally $69.95 Learned series view of the Australian Our special price $59.95 literary scene Delicious food doesn’t have to be bad for the environment. A witty, seductive In fact, seasonal and sustain- and moving novel able produce is tastier than imported ingredients, as these of a famous writer 100 mouth-watering recipes and his protégé demonstrate. Kylie Kwong has travelled around Australia, 101 Things I Learned in Business School 9780732290276 | $32.99 meeting – in her words – the ‘growers, Michael W. Preis & Matthew Frederick harpercollins.com.au farmers, fishermen, artisans and food 101 Things I Learned in Culinary School providores’ behind the environmentally Louis Eguaras & Matthew Frederick friendly food she loves. Her simple but delectable recipes, such as Red-Braised Lamb 101 Things I Learned in Fashion School Shoulder with Roast Garlic and Tamari, are Alfonso Cabrera & Matthew Frederick an incredibly enjoyable way to help fight 101 Things I Learned in Film School climate change. Neil Landau & Matthew Frederick MORE STANDOUT TITLES FROM Little, Brown. HB. Normally $24.95 each AUSTRALIAʼS BEST SMALL PUBLISHERS SPUNC Our special price $19.95 each Philosophy Pursuing career goals, armed with appropri- Hopes and Prospects ate information, is particularly important Noam Chomsky in the wake of the global financial crisis. This series takes a look at four popular Hamish Hamilton. PB. $26.95 industries, providing a practical, enjoyable With all of the global way for anyone interested or involved in challenges we’re facing right these industries to learn more. Each book now, it might seem easy to is packaged in a fun, gift-book format, throw our hands up in particularly useful for recent college or high despair. During the first school graduates, although seasoned profes- decade of the twenty-first sionals will also appreciate these helpful century, we’ve seen wide- overviews from industry insiders, overflow- spread ‘War on Terror’ and ing with fascinating insights and tips. experienced a massive financial crash. But not Barbara Hanrahan ~ A biography Australia Dances only does Noam Chomsky still see a great Annette Stewart Creating Australian dance 1945-1965 deal of hope for the future, he also perceives a $39.95 (Wakefield Press) Alan Brissenden & Keith Glennon, way we can move forward, in Latin America’s $70.00 (Wakefield Press) This authoritative illustrated biography democratic wave and in ‘global solidarity Travel illuminates the life of a great Australian Details an astonishingly creative time for movements’. Volunteer: writer and artist and travels with her from Australian dance, culminating in the foun- A Traveller’s Guide Adelaide to ‘swinging London’ of the 1960s dation of the Australian Ballet, all docu- Mad Men and ... and back again. mented in this new illustrated hardback. to Making a Difference Philosophy: Around the World Nothing Is as it Seems Lonely Planet A Special SPUNC Presentation Rod Carveth, for Students, Practitioners & Lonely Planet. PB. $24.99 James B. South Over the years, Lonely Planet Enthusiasts of Publishing & William Irwin (eds) has developed a reputation for Digital Futures for Wiley. PB. $24.95 producing reliable, intricately With its critically acclaimed detailed, and relevant travel Small Publishers third season out on DVD, guides. Volunteer – now in an 2.30p.m.15 July 2010 Mad Men is undeniably updated second edition – is the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne established as one of the no exception. Its chapters smartest, sexiest shows on cover everything from Join Richard Nash (Cursor) and Kate television. It’s a thought- choosing the right experience for you to Eltham (if:book Australia) in a discussion provoking show, deserving of setting up your own aid organisation, and The Nancy Singh Letters, Nancy Singh about publishing business models, commu- the in-depth analysis that this more than 170 volunteering organisations are $24.95 (Wakefield Press) nity and digital platforms and hear about philosophical examination delivers. Part of an subjected to detailed reviews. Anyone wanting Richard’s vision for a community-centred In the spirit of William Donaldson’s Henry exciting Wiley series which explores philoso- to make a genuine difference as an overseas Root, who wrote to British public figures with future for publishing. Full details, and to phy and pop culture, this diverse collection volunteer should buy this guide. outlandish questions and requests, The Nancy book, head to www.spunc.com.au covers everything from identity to feminism Singh Letters bring us hilariously up to date with to authenticity to race, as these themes are what our public figures are thinking. spunc.com.au represented in Mad Men. After this, you’ll cer- The Small Press Network tainly see Don Draper in a different light. 13 Readings Monthly July 2010

Commedia dell’arte created by Franz Anton Bustelli in 1760 (which were newly released Music in a limited edition by the Nymphenburg Music and Sentiment Porcelain Manufactory in 2009) have been Charles Rosen redressed by 16 internationally renowned Yale University Press. HB. $39.95 fashion designers, including Vivienne West- How does music stir and wood, Christian Lacroix, Victor & Rolf, and direct our emotions? Charles others. The photographs taken and selected Rosen, an internationally by the volume’s editor, Florian Böhm, depict renowned writer and pianist, scenes from the fashion designers’ studios and astutely observes the variety of detail views of production. stylistic devices and tech- niques used to display or Difference on Display: guide sentiment. In the Diversity in Art, process, he examines a vast range of musical Science and Society examples, from the Baroque period’s ‘unity of Andree van Es sentiment’ all the way to the ‘obsessive Program revealed in The Age and at the sentiments’ of more recent composers, such as NAi. PB. $75 Stravinsky. There’s no dogma about ‘correct’ This excellent volume examines the question MWF website Friday 16 July 2010 listening, but rather an informative journey of what is normal and who decides this from Bookings open 16 July at www.mwf.com.au through useful tools and terms. a variety of angles. The pursuit of perfection dominates our lives, and has become a norm Sign up for our regular e-bulletin for the latest news in Western society. Being beautiful and happy is an option, so being unhappy must be our Art & Design own fault. Yet by participating in this process The Finger of homogenised perfection, we deprive our- Angus Trumble selves of the chance to really live – an irony not lost on many of today’s artists. More By the best selling author MUP. HB. $44.99 than 90 artists – including Marlene Dumas, Wide ranging, and subscrib- Thomas Hirschorn and Louise Bourgeois – of e Unlikely Voyage of ing to the school of ‘curiouser show us different ways of seeing the world. and curiouser’, Angus Jack de Crow Trumble’s exploration of the Nurturing Walls: finger is an enjoyable, entertaining book. The finger Animal Art ‘This is a wonderful book is involved in many diverse by Meena Women … warm, humorous and and fascinating aspects of art, Gita Wolf and Madan Meena entertaining.’ language and cultural practice throughout Tara Books. HB. $44.95 history and is of course ongoing in its Art from the walls of Meena tribal homes in —Bookseller+Publisher influence. Well researched and with so many Rajasthan is celebrated on the pages of this RRP . diverse side trips into all manner of subjects, stunning handmade book. The women of the Out Now * this book delights the inner dilettante. It community paint the mud walls and floors www.blackincbooks.com delves into literary references, physiology and of their homes, marking their festivals and anatomy, art, language, fashion (nail polish the changing seasons. This book pays tribute and gloves), culture (play and combat) and to this extraordinary tradition of public art the peculiarities of the thumb. Elizabethan by women, also known as Mandan painting, gauntlets to Michael Jackson’s white glove, with a focus on a favourite theme: animals slender nails on Spanish nobles to hot pink and their young. The teeming world of Mee- nail polish on Marilyn Monroe, counting the na art has been carefully recreated as a series days in a month, communicating hand signals of silkscreen prints, on craft paper reminiscent of eleventh-century monks to contemporary of mud walls. STANDOUT TITLES New from Italy, the beauty of classical Indian dance to a FROM TWO STANDOUT lethal karate chop, expressing pleasure or One Place after displeasure, the genetic similarity of fingers to Another: Site-Specific SMALL PUBLISHERS genitals – these references are but a tiny Art and Locational Glissando sample of the straightforward and regular to Identity (Sleepers Publishing) the obscure and esoteric to be found in The Miwon Kwon David Musgrave Finger. MIT. PB. $33.95 Margaret Snowdon is Art & Design buyer at $27.95 Site-specific art emerged in the late 1960s in Readings Carlton Sleepers brings you reaction to the growing commodification of another outstanding Street/Studio: art, and the prevailing ideals of art’s au- debut novel.“Four-and- tonomy and universality. In recent years, the a-half stars... a wise, The Place of Street Art presumption of unrepeatability and immobil- lyrical romp of a book.” in Melbourne ity encapsulated in Richard Serra’s famous —Bookseller + Alison Young, Ghostpatrol, dictum ‘to remove the work is to destroy the Publisher Miso & Timba work’ is being challenged by new models of While Darwin’s theory explains our common Thames & Hudson. PB. $59.95 site specificity, and changes in institutional The Danger Game descent, scientists have grappled with the reasons Through a series of intimate and market forces. This book examines site (Sleepers Publishing) why human evolution defies the principles of natural specificity as a complex cipher of the unstable Kalinda Ashton selection and why, although we dominate the planet, conversations, Street/Studio we have become the weakest ape. In this fascinating offers an exclusive behind-the- relationship between location and identity in $24.95 narrative, leading archaeologist Timothy Taylor scenes look at how street art the era of late capitalism, and addresses the proposes that it was our early adoption of tools, has entered the mainstream work of, among others, John Ahearn, Mark Winner of the objects, and, now, technology that changed us. Dion, Andrea Fraser and Fred Wilson. Sydney Morning $49.95 Hb, 9780230617636 and become one of the most Herald Best Young Palgrave Macmillan collectable new art forms. It Novelist Award. offers an unparalleled insight Tracing the Past, Draw- “...masterful, poignant, into the work of ten of Australia’s most ing the Future: Master powerful and true.” influential, dynamic and creative artists living Ink Painters in Twenti- —Christos Tsiolkas” in Melbourne, detailing how – in an increas- eth Century China ingly lucrative and commercial industry – Xiaoneng Yang Many-Coloured Realm they negotiate the street, the studio and the 5 Continents. HB. $115 (Wombat Books) gallery space. Tracing the Past, Drawing the Future examines Anne Hamilton $19.95 Commedia Dell’Arte a crucial turning point in the development of Chinese ink painting in the twentieth Elves, goblins and Couture Edition century, a change represented by the beau- demons ~ a starlit Florian Blohm (ed) tiful and innovative work of four artists: fantasy for young Birkhauser. HB. $259.95 Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), Qi Baishi adults written in the With its medieval market scenes, Batman, (1863–1957), Huang Binhong (1864–1955) great traditions of After marrying Count Leo Tolstoy, Sofia Behrs kept a CS Lewis and Lewis detailed diary until his death in 1910. Sofia’s life was Minnie Mouse, Dior’s studio, David Bowie and Pan Tianshou (1897–1971). With careers not an easy one: she idealized her husband, but was and Buster Keaton, this book functions like spanning over a century of radical change Carroll. tormented by him; even her many children were not a film. It blends historical figures with pop in China, these artists were instrumental in an unmitigated blessing. In the background of her art, and the production of the finest porcelain life was one of the most turbulent periods of Russian propelling the ancient tradition of Chinese SPUNC represents more than history: the transition from old feudal Russia to the figures with sensuous haute couture. But ink painting into the modern era, in the face 80 small Australian publishers. three revolutions and three major international wars. what’s truly exceptional about this publication of compelling Western influences. As a group, Ask Readings today about SPUNC $29.95 Pb, 9781846881022 is more than just the extraordinary objects their work represents an alternative approach these titles, and more. The Small Alma Books it presents. The 16 porcelain figures of the to questions of relevance and modernity. spunc.com.au Press Network Readings Monthly July 2010 14

Mysterious Benedict Staff Review Society and the Perilous Journey Red Dice & Phantom: Trenton Lee Stewart The Last Vampire Kids’ Books Chicken House. PB. $16.99 Volume Two Book of the Month Special Price What could measure up to the excitement Christopher Pike of being recruited into a secret society – to Staff Review I Love My Grandma Hodder. PB. $18.99 infiltrate and expose a nefarious organisa- Alisa Perne isn’t the kind of vampire who The White Cat & I Love My Grandpa tion with only your own wits, puzzle-solving sparkles – she slaughters. After all, you don’t Holly Black Anna Walker abilities and acrobatic prowess to help you? get to be 5000 years old without spilling a Scholastic. HB. $12.99 each We rejoin the members of the Mysterious little blood, and that’s precisely how she’s Gollancz. PB. $29.99 Our special offer: Buy both for $20 Although some may meet the Benedict Society half a year after the events managed to survive as the last vampire on The special relationships between chil- introduction of another of the first book. Reynie, Kate, Sticky and earth. After Alisa kills a detective who has dren and their grandparents deserve to be urban, paranormal young Constance are safe and happy in their new discovered her true nature, she sets out on celebrated. In these two lovely books, part adult novel with a world- homes, but also a little bit bored. Reunited, the trail to find out who hired him. And as of the I Love series, join Ollie on his latest weary sigh, this is no the kids are plunged into an even more peril- she draws closer to uncovering the truth, adventures – this time with his grand- ordinary example. White Cat, ous mission as they journey across the world she starts to suspect that she might not be parents. Once again, Anna Walker has the first in Holly Black’s to save their benefactor. What makes this the last vampire after all. This reissue is a produced delightful rhymes and charming Curse Workers series, is a adventure series so enjoyable is the friend- bind-up of the first two books in the classic illustrations in these fantastic new additions chilly, dark and devious book. Living in a ships between the main characters and the vampire series that predates Twilight. It’s a to her series. world similar to ours, Cassel belongs to a idea that family is where you make it. Well, gritty, engrossing book for older teens that family of Curse Workers, who are both that and the mind-bending mission. constantly questions what it means to be magicians and mobsters. Cassel is uncursed, Look Out Leon Marie Matteson is from Readings Port Melbourne human. Unlike the late detective, you won’t a straight kid in a crooked family, and every Jez Alborough regret meeting Alisa Perne. Walker. HB. $24.95 Holly Harper is from Readings Malvern day carries the guilt of having killed his best Staff Review friend three years ago. But is it just guilt Leon the chameleon wants to go exploring, that’s propelling him to almost sleepwalk off so his Dad teaches him how to blend into The Red Wind: Also available: Evil Thirst & Creatures of a building, haunted by a white cat with a his surroundings with magic. Blue to hide The Kingdom of the Forever (The Last Vampire Volume Three), message he can’t understand? Nothing is as it from the crocodile, brown to hide from the Lost, Book One Christopher Pike, Hodder. PB. $18.99 seems in White Cat. Black edges towards hippo – and yellow to escape the hungry snake. But what will Leon do when there Isobelle Carmody One Perfect Pirouette perfection with this uncanny tale that’s part Viking. HB. $19.95 Harry Potter Sopranos are too many colours around? Jez Alborough Sherryl Clark , part . Full of a slimy, I didn’t think Isobelle Carmody could create uses simple words and images with interac- UQP. PB. $16.95 creeping kind of magic, plus knocks, twists a more delightful creature than Little Fur, and unreliable narration, this novel is a tive tabs to make this a sweet and satisfying read for three to five year olds. CM but I was wrong! Bily and Zluty are such The Dance Academy make-sure-all-your-doors-and-windows-are- sweet, good-natured, caring characters that I Series locked, yet can’t-put-it-down kind of read. was captivated from the start. On a bare, un- Callie Martin is from Readings St Kilda Various Moomintroll Anniver- yielding plain the two brothers have worked sary Celebrations ABC. PB. $12.99 Picture Books tirelessly to create a natural paradise around Last year a school librarian Tove Jansson’s Finn Family their stone home, but in this, the first of asked for suggestions for good Ellis Rowan’s Fairy Moomintroll (Puffin, PB, a trilogy, their world is threatened by the young adult fiction about World $12.95) – that much-loved brewing of an unnatural storm. Carmody dance, and though we Susan Hall & Ellis Rowan (illus.) story peopled with shy but relentlessly builds the sense of foreboding managed to import a couple, adventurous little creatures, National Library of Australia. Board. $12.95 with her wonderful storytelling, and – as in there wasn’t much about. So with names like Snufkin, Ellis Rowan, one of Australia’s greatest natu- the Little Fur series – also with her ethereal it’s great to see offerings on Snork Maiden and Little My ralists and illustrators, produced hundreds illustrations. I couldn’t put it down. This the subject from two (and a magical Top Hat) – of vivid and highly detailed paintings. This lovely little hardback is a perfect gift for Australian publishers this month. From UQP turns 65 this year. In celebration, Puffin are fun flap book is filled with some of her most children eight and up. AD comes Sherryl Clark’s One Perfect Pirouette, releasing some Moomintroll books for the beautiful pictures, accompanied by clever about Bryanna and her family, and their very young, using the author’s original rhymes. Children can search for fairies and Young Adult difficulties when they move cities so she can artworks and illustrations. In Moomin’s Lift elves hiding in Rowan’s flowers, while learn- attend the National Ballet School. And from the Flap Hide and Seek (PB, $12.95), Staff Review ing some fascinating facts. ABC, the Dance Academy series is set at the Moomintroll can’t find Little My, and his The Emerald Casket: Sydney Dance Academy, and related to the friends don’t seem to know where she is ABC TV series of the same name. There are Me and You either – but what’s under Moominpappa’s The Billionaire Trilogy Anthony Browne five titles, each by a different author, includ- hat? And in Moomin’s Birthday Button (PB, Book Two ing Meredith Costain’s Tara: Learning to Fly Doubleday. HB. $29.95 $19.95), Moomin thinks his friends have Richard Newsome Waiting for their porridge to and Penni Russon’s Christian: Behind Barres. forgotten his special day. Among other Text. PB. $19.95 See a full list of titles on our website. KK cool, a family of three bears things, there are also some simple activity After an action-packed, go for a walk in the park. books, Moomin’s Splendid Summer Sticker Indiana Jones style ending to Non Fiction & Activity While they’re out, a little girl Book (PB, $9.95) and Moomin’s Brilliantly the first book Billionaire’s who’s lost her mum comes Busy Colouring Book (PB, $8.95). Hooray Curse, Gerald, Ruby and Sam Staff Review across their house after for a Moomin invasion! KK are back and holidaying in wandering the streets alone. India. But of course, it’s Klutz Book What will the bears find on Middle Readers never just a holiday and of Animation their return? A stunningly illustrated, fresh before they know it the trio Klutz. HB. $29.99 Staff Review look at the classic children's tale. are running through markets and rummag- Ever wanted to be a director? With the Klutz First Hero: Chronicles ing through stalls on a quest to outwit a Book of Animation, you too can get behind Staff Review of Avantia Book One deadly cult and to try and stop the once- the camera and learn how to make animated Adam Blade again present Mason Green from getting to masterpieces. Simply download the easy-to- Twinkle the Emerald Casket. Even with its fast-paced use SAM animation program (for Windows Nick Bland Orchard. PB. $15.99 tempo, Newsome still manages to incorpo- or Mac) and follow the steps in the book. Evil armies and brave orphans are locked in Scholastic. HB. $24.99 rate the wonders of India, giving young Soon you’ll have talking fruit, magic shoes a grim war of beastly battles that will see the Nick Bland’s The Wrong readers a taste of a beautiful country and a that move by themselves, and a film-starring winners dominate Avantia. Just when you Book is shortlisted for this different culture. action hero, Clay Block, the plasticine actor think that only boys will love the combat year’s Children’s Book Katherine Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn included on the front cover. For ages nine and want to be the seemingly indestructible Council of Australia Awards and up, check out http://video.klutz.com/ Tanner, along comes an even more deter- (winners announced in animation/ to see all the amazing animations mined, strong and feisty girl. Gwen is every Special Price August). Now he’s produced you can create! HH bit as gutsy and heroic as Tanner. Action- something altogether packed adventure for ages nine and up. Theodore Boone different, but just as Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn Young Lawyer The History Files: wonderful. Penny Pasketti is surprised to John Grisham History’s Greatest Hits, see a little star land in her garden: a Lucy the Lie Detector Hodder. PB. Normally $25 The Famous Events We friendly, fun-loving star who is great Our special price $19.95 Should All Know About company. But how do you help a star to get Marianne Musgrove Although Theo Boone is only 13, he knows Joseph Cummins home again, when the shining night sky is & Cheryl Orsini (illus.) all about the legal system and already thinks so far away? Illustration and text work Random. PB. $14.95 Pier 9. HB. $34.95 of himself as a lawyer. But when he suddenly perfectly together in this satisfying story. Following Marianne Musgrove’s wonderful Covering 2000 years of history, this fascinat- becomes involved in a court case, it’s not The Australian urban setting is so familiar, Lucy the Good, this is another hilarious tale ing book explores 22 events that have shaped exactly a dream come true. A cold-blooded but so full of mysterious suggestion as the about Lucy van Loon. When Lucy scratches the world – from Caesar’s downfall to 9/11. murderer is about to be set loose and only real extent of Penny’s adventure is quite her dad’s new car, she fibs to avoid copping the Dynamically designed and beautifully illus- Theo knows the truth. Bestselling author subtly revealed. Highly recommended for blame – but somehow, her lie becomes outra- trated, it captures the drama and excitement and ex-lawyer John Grisham has finally two-and-a-half to six year olds – and for geously enormous, involving everything from of these key events, while breaking down turned his brilliant storytelling skills to anyone who likes a happy, tingly spine. her best friend to a telepathic camel. Maybe difficult concepts and themes. Young readers young adult fiction. Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton it’s time she told the truth … hungry for knowledge will love this. Readings Monthly July 2010 15 Schulz and Peanuts David Michaelis HB. Was $60. Now $19.95 Snoopy’s creator is also one Readings Bargain Table of the most misunderstood Arthur Boyd: Art & Life Dog of the Marriage Museum: The Macleays, figures in American culture. Janet McKenzie Amy Hempel their Collections and This first full-length biogra- HB. Was $120. Now $39.95 PB. Was $24.95. Now $14.95 the Search for Order phy of Charles Schulz reveals Arthur Boyd was one of the For the last 20 years, Amy Robyn Stacey & Ashley Hay the early experiences that greatest twentieth-century Hempel has been a quietly HB. Was $79.95. Now $29.95 shaped his life and work. Australian painters. Janet powerful presence in Australia’s first British visitors McKenzie’s book covers 250 American fiction. The grand were enchanted by our Something To Tell You of Boyd’s works, giving scale of her achievement is extraordinary fauna and Hanif Kureishi special attention to the demonstrated in this short fauna. The 70-year-old, rich publications he beautifully story collection. and rare family collection of HB. Was $49.95. Now $16.95 illustrated. Alexander Macleay is The 1970s were a time of sex captured here. and drugs, but also of Atlas Maior: Anglia, Graphic Design in struggle between the forces of Scotia et Hibernia Germany 1890–1945 labour and capital. Thirty Joan Blaeu Jeremy Aynsley My Favourite years on, a successful Ingredients psychoanalyst reflects on his & Peter van der Krogt HB. Was $60. Now $29.95 1970s coming-of-age and HB. Was $160. Now $59.95 After the Franco-Prussian Skye Gyngell HB. Was $49.95. Now $19.95 first love – and a brutal act of A Baroque cartographical war, an incredible commer- violence he can never escape. masterpiece, this was first cial boom breathed new life Skye Gyngell’s sustainable published between 1662 and into German advertising. cooking follows the turning Stonefish 1665, in Latin. Now, all 58 A new style was developed of the seasons. An acclaimed maps of England and 55 and took hold for more than chef and food writer, Gyngell Keri Hulme maps of Scotland and Ireland half a century – aggressive, snaps up the freshest PB. Was $29.95. Now $9.95 have been released in this aesthetically adventurous and ingredients when nature A stonefish is, in Maori exquisite two-volume set. distinctly German – presented here in 253 makes them available. This is narrative, pounamu – green- colour illustrations. what she loves to cook most. stone or jade which swam to The Beast of New Zealand’s South Island Homes in the Sky Nocturnes in fish form. If we cast our the Camargue lines out, we find ‘nothing is Xavier-Marie Bonnot Charles Pickett (Signed Limited Edition) Kazuo Ishiguro exactly what it seems’. A PB. Was $32.95. Now $9.95 & Caroline Butler-Bowden compelling collection from HB. Was $69.95. Now $19.95 One summer’s night, a HB. Was $59.95. Now $24.95 Booker Prize-winner Keri Hulme. centuries-old ceremony is An award-winning celebra- The author of The Remains of disrupted by the discovery of tion of Australian apartment the Day and Never Let Me The Stories Of English Go, Ishiguro has produced a a body apparently torn apart living. With 250 lavish David Crystal by huge teeth and claws. The photographs and architec- sublime, intimate and witty PB. Was $26.95. Now $9.95 Marseilles murder squad’s tural renderings, this is a story cycle in Nocturnes, Whatever happened to ‘thou’ Michel de Palma is drawn comprehensive look at many exploring ideas of love, music and ‘thine’? Would a into Provence, where mythol- of our most iconic and and the passage of time. Victorian cockney have said ogy is still part of day-to-day existence. sought-after apartments. ‘observation’ or ‘hobserva- The Bedside Book of The Housekeeper and Pompeii: The Life tion’? The English language is Algebra, From Vectors the Professor of a Roman Town a constantly evolving wild Mary Beard organism, and although it to Variables: Yoko Ogawa can be elusive and hard to HB. Was $59.95. Now $29.95 Michael Williers PB. Was $32.95. Now $14.95 pin down in the present, its wonderfully Following last year’s local HB. Was $24.95. Now $14.95 A brilliant maths professor entertaining history is examined here. exhibition, interest in A collection of practical and lives with only 80 minutes of Pompeii is at a peak. theoretical problems offering short-term memory. Entrust- Twenty-First Century This is an in-depth look at something of interest to ed to care for him is a Pompeian life from Britain’s Design: New Design everyone. Each section is sensitive, clever young leading classicist. Icons, from Mass presented in an easy-to- housekeeper with a ten-year- old son. Market to Avant-Garde follow style. Marcus Fairs HB. Was $59.95. Now $19.95 The Infinity Of Lists Risotto with Nettles: Journey through an intoxi- The Complete Stories Umberto Eco A Memoir with Food cating array of contempo- David Malouf HB. Was $99.95. Now $59.95 Anna Del Conte rary movements, styles and HB. Was $45. Now $14.95 Throughout history runs the HB. Was $39.95. Now $16.95 trends. This accessible and Shocking violence, quick poetics of lists, expressing the During the war, Anna Del engaging survey will help humour, appealing warmth ever-changing spirit of the Conte was forced to move to you identify today’s leading and harsh cruelty – all are times. It has played a role in the Italian countryside, designers and future design inhabited by David Malouf’s ancient bestiaries and where her family ate well but classics, while placing today’s masterful imagination. A 16th-century naturalism, but lived dangerously. This is a scene in a historic framework, and charting comprehensive compilation also in art and literature, memoir of the life and the incredible explosion of design world- of his shorter work. from Homer to Joyce, and flavour of that time. wide. from Gothic cathedrals to Warhol.

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SEE THE FULL LIST OF TITLES AT WWW.REA DINGS.COM.A U 16 Readings Monthly July 2010 THE LONG HOT SUMMER Released 7 July. $24.99 Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and Orson Welles New Release DVDs co-star in this riveting tale of life in the Deep South. Provocative and compelling, DVD OF THE MONTH SHUTTER ISLAND THE MEN WHO it simmers with sexual THE HURT LOCKER $39.99. Blu-ray $49.99 STARE AT GOATS tension, bawdy humour and a clash of personalities. $39.95. Blu-ray $49.95 It’s 1954, and up-and-com- Released 14 July. $39.99. Blu-ray $44.99 ing US marshal Teddy Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan Iraq. Forced to play a EL CID dangerous game of cat-and- Daniels (Leonardo McGregor), is in Kuwait mouse in the chaos of war, DiCaprio) is assigned to investigating the Iraq War FALL OF THE ROMAN an elite Army bomb-squad investigate the disappearance when he meets Special Forces EMPIRE unit must come together in a of a patient from Boston’s operator, Lyn Cassady Released 7 July. $19.99 each city where everyone is a Shutter Island. As a hurri- (George Clooney). Lyn Two classic Anthony Mann potential enemy and every cane cuts off communication reveals that he was part of an historical epics, digitally object could be a deadly with the mainland, more dangerous American army unit trained remastered. Charlton Heston bomb. This Academy Award-winning movie criminals ‘escape’ in the confusion, and the to develop parapsychological skills, including and Sophia Loren star in El made a star of Jeremy Renner and with a puzzling, improbable clues multiply. invisibility, remote viewing, cloud bursting, Cid, the eleventh-century great ensemble cast, it will have you on the walking through walls, and intuition. hero who fought to unite edge of your seat. A SINGLE MAN Spain and drive out Moorish Released 7 July. $39.99. Blu-ray $49.99 ALICE IN WONDERLAND invaders. Sophia Loren also PERCY JACKSON AND It’s 30 November, 1962. $39.99. Blu-ray $49.99 stars with Alec Guinness, Stephen Boyd and THE LIGHTNING THIEF George Falconer (Colin From visionary director Tim Christopher Plummer in Fall of the Roman Firth), an English professor Empire $39.95. Blu-ray $44.99 Burton comes this epic , which charts the decadence, corrup- at a Los Angeles college, is tion and intrigue that tore Rome apart. It’s the twenty-first century, fantasy adventure, putting a finding it difficult to cope but the gods of Mount magical and imaginative with life following the death Olympus have walked out of twist on one of our most REPULSION of Jim, his partner of 16 the pages of Percy Jackson’s beloved stories. Nineteen- BITTER MOON years. As he routinely and Greek mythology texts and year-old Alice returns to the Released 7 July. $19.99 each fastidiously prepares for his suicide, George into his life. Zeus’s lightning whimsical world she first Two movies brought to the reminisces about his life with Jim and spends bolt has been stolen, and encountered as a young girl, reuniting with screen by Roman Polanski. this day with various people. Percy is the prime suspect. her childhood friends to end the Red Bitter Moon is a spellbinding More troubling is the disappearance of Queen’s reign of terror. erotic drama both disturbing THE DEAL Also released this month: The BBC 1966 Percy’s mother. As Percy adapts to his new and offbeat in its depiction film starring John Geilgud and Leo McKern status as a demi-god, he finds himself caught $29.95 of a voyage of wild obsession. ($19.99) which is genuinely arty, entertain- between the battling titans of Mt Olympus. The Deal probes the rivalry Psychological thriller ing and eminently watchable; and the 1933 He and his friends embark on a cross-coun- between real-life prime Repulsion stars Catherine version starring Cary Grant and W.C. Fields try adventure to catch the true lightning ministers Tony Blair Deneuve as an isolated and sexually ($12.99), a black-and-white gem containing thief, save Percy’s mother, and unravel a mys- (Michael Sheen) and Gordon repressed young girl who descends into surreal settings, still a classic. tery more powerful than the gods them- Brown, who, for the sake of a a nightmare of violence and schizophrenia. selves. nation, struck an extraordi- nary deal. Scathing, witty LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL LOS OLVIDADOS FANTASTIC MR. FOX and imaginatively filmed, The LA FEMME NIKITA HIGH HEELS Deal is an intense and riveting film that is $34.99. Blu-ray $44.99 Released 14 July. $34.95 each. OPEN YOUR EYES regarded as the prequel to The Queen. Mr. Fox, Mrs. Fox, and all Blu-ray $39.99 each Released 7 July. $29.99/$29.99/$24.99 Two fantastic cult movies, their fox babies live under a HUMPDAY Three great Spanish movies, hill under a tree, along with long unavailable, return on by directors Luis Buñuel, Released 14 July. $29.95 Badger, Rabbit, Weasel, and DVD. Jean Reno is Leon, a Pedro Almodovar and When Andrew shows up at all of their families. To make deadly and elusive killer. He Alejandro Amenabar Ben’s place after ten years, the ends meet, every night, Mr lives a routine life until the respectively. Los Olvidados is old friends bond. At a party Fox steals a meal from one day his 12-year-old neigh- regarded as one of the of Andrew’s liberal arts pals, of the three crooked farmers. bour Mathilde (Natalie greatest and most heart- they hear of an amateur porn Eventually, the greedy, fed-up farmers band Portman in her screen debut) wrenching films about competition called Humpfest, together to end Mr Fox. This marvellous rings his doorbell. With regard to La Femme poverty and childhood. High Heels is a sexy and drunken machismo sees tale is, at its heart, about family and Nikita, I refer to Jean-Luc Goddard: ‘All you thriller which pits mother against daughter. them daring each other to friendship. George Clooney and Meryl need to make a movie is a girl and a gun.’ Open Your Eyes is the film that inspired make a man-on-man porno. Streep provide voices. Wise man, that Jean-Luc! Vanilla Sky and stars Penélope Cruz. KENJI MIZOGUCHI

“The greatest of Japanese filmmakers, or quite simply one of the greatest of filmmakers.” Jean-Luc Godard

Influential Cinema from Around the Globe

DIRECTORSSUITE.COM.AU Readings Monthly July 2010 17 COME AND SEE EAST OF IPSWICH Released 7 July. $24.99 Released 14 July. $24.95 Elem Klimov’s powerful, Written by Michael Palin. mesmerising and dynamic Sleepy, ultra-respectable New Release CDs award-winning feature has Suffolk is not for naïve been deservedly hailed as one 17-year-old Richard. In this CD of the Month to many, but the recording of the album itself has remained shrouded in mystery of the greatest war films ever holiday hell he meets fellow Intriguer produced. The brutality teenager Edwin, who and innuendo. This is a fascinating glimpse shocks to the core, and the introduces him to love, lust Crowded House inside the world of the Rolling Stones at director’s attention to style and the joys of jazz cafés. Normally $26.95 their absolute peak. The fact that most of and detail make it all too believable, leaving Our special price $21.95 this footage has never seen the light of day the audience stunned and bewildered to the PROPERTY LADDER: Neil Finn and Crowded since being filmed in those dark, dank rooms very last. This film has been digitally VOLUME ONE House effortlessly waltz forty years ago makes it a must for both fans through another selection remastered and the print has been restored. $24.95 and anyone with an interest in the history of of brilliantly penned songs. popular music. Great stuff. DM Property Ladder follows It’s easy to expect perfec- PICASSO AND BRAQUE amateur developers as they tion from Crowded House, GO TO THE MOVIES renovate their properties, Big Echo and because we often get it we can become a bought purely to improve Morning Benders Released 14 July. $34.95 little jaded by such releases. Not so here, and sell on at a profit. Each $25.95 Both born at the same time with lyrics which make you want to read the episode follows different One of my favourite 2010 as the birth of cinema itself, CD booklet, musicianship which makes you Picasso and Braque were projects from start to finish. releases so far, Big Echo is a sit up and notice, and vocals and harmonies sometimes cheerful, pioneering figures in modern which transport you to a comfortable place art. This documentary, occasionally serious but OCEAN WAVES – that’s the power and majestic melancholy always wonderful blend of hosted by Martin Scorsese, of Crowded House. Neil Finn seems to relish examines the link between $29.95 indie pop and 1960s-era recording again with this quartet, and it soaring voices, run through with tinkling the Cubist style the two Rarely seen outside of Japan shows. Saturday Sun introduces the album, artists helped establish and the early cinema and never before released in keyboards, lovely strings and addictive guitar inviting us on a personal tour of his emo- riffs. Standouts include the far-too-short Cold which arguably influenced this style. Australia, Ocean Waves is tions and imagination with much beauty in Studio Ghibli’s hidden gem. War and hooktastic Hand Me Downs. I’ll be store, none more so than the blissfully sweet singing them all aloud in my car and A VERY BRITISH COUP Young Taku's quiet life is Elephants. Beautiful bookends to a beautiful $34.95 turned upside down with the frightening passers-by. experience. LF Fiona Hardy is from Readings St Kilda When plain-spoken, arrival of Rikako, a beautiful Lou Fulco is from Readings Carlton charismatic former steel- student from Tokyo. worker Harry Perkins The Drums becomes prime minister in a DUMBO: 70th ANNIVER- Close-Up: Volume One The Drums $25.95 landslide Labour Party SARY SPECIAL EDITION Suzanne Vega victory, his socialist agenda Remember when you once mused, ‘What if $24.99. Blu-ray $37.99 $24.95 horrifies the entrenched Morrissey joined the Beach Boys?’ No? Well, The shortest of Disney’s When I was a teenager, Suzanne Vega blazed ruling class and the right- here it is anyway: The Drums’ new self-titled major animated features, the trail for the re-emergence of singer/ wing media. As Perkins presses ahead with LP, this is a great album, from the sad-but- Dumbo involves a baby songwriters in the mid-to-late 1980s, which plans to close down US military bases, break jaunty opener Best Friend (‘You were my best elephant with unusually large included Tracy Chapman, Tanita Tikaram up newspaper monopolies and dismantle friend, but then you died’) through pouting ears. Ostracised from the rest and Shawn Colvin. Vega’s first two records British nuclear weapons, the establishment post-punk to Let’s Go Surfing, which – for of the circus animals and are classics of that genre, and her decision and its American allies conspire in a brutal an album released in our winter – smacks goaded by a group of to revisit and re-present her catalogue in an backroom struggle to regain control. unfairly of summer. FH jive-talking crows, Dumbo acoustic setting allows us to fully appreci- discovers the ability to fly. ate her voice and lyrics. This is an ongoing Renmin Park project, so don’t be alarmed if your favou- Cowboy Junkies rites aren’t here. Even songs you might not $24.95 recognise are impressive in this intimate For a band that’s been going context. for 25 years, Cowboy Junkies Michael Awosaga-Samuel is from Readings still manage to break new Carlton ground. Songwriter Michael Saint Bartlett Timmins and family spent three months living in a Damien Jurado small Chinese village. Clearly inspired, he $20.95 introduces field recordings (à la Alan Lomax) Recorded over the course of which sit perfectly alongside the band’s a week with producer/ trademark blues-pop sound. It’s a loose song musician Richard Swift on cycle, chronicling a star-crossed young couple production duties, Saint from the town of Jingiang. As usual, Margo READINGS/MIFF DVD Bartlett sees American Timmins sounds great out front. This is troubador Damien Jurado reportedly the first of four new albums we can in a more stripped-back mood than on expect over the next 18 months! previous offerings. There is a sense of shade Dave Clarke is from Readings Carlton and space on this record, which works beautifully in allowing Jurado’s pensive Cinema storytelling to come to the fore, with some The Cat Empire beguiling results. Tracks such as Rachel & Normally $26.95 Cali and The Falling Snow are standouts. Our special price $21.95 They feature some gloriously restrained Melbourne pop/funk band The Cat Empire acoustic-guitar work and shimmering exploded onto the scene in 2003 with their keyboards, all of which serve to lighten the debut album. It was a huge hit and since darker undercurrent of yearning contained then they’ve gone from strength to strength. within the lyrics. Although other sonic SALE Cinema is studio album number four and elements are added throughout, the overall features more of their trademark up-tempo, FIL MS FROM THE MIFF 2009 feel is one of focused calm. Ultimately, brass-infused pop numbers. From a hugely Jurado has delivered another fantastic album. popular and successful live act, this album * Declan Murphy is from Readings St Kilda PROGRAM FOR ONLY $19.9 5 will surely be a crowd-pleaser. Stones in Exile DVD Sid Grane is from Readings Carlton SHOW YOUR 2010 MIFF MINI OR FESTIVAL PASS Rolling Stones Lustre FOR A FURTHER 10% OFF THE SELECTED DVDS. $21.95 Ed Harcourt This is the perfect documentary to accompa- $25.95 ny the recent reissue of the Stones’ master- SALE ON 22 JULY TO 31 AUGUST 2010. The fifth studio album from this immensely piece Exile on Main Street. It features fantas- * SELECTED TITLES ONLY. WHILE STOCKS LAST. talented English singer- songwriter, Lustre is tic archival footage from the now-legendary in keeping with both the sumptuousness and recording sessions, which took place in the fine quality of his previous releases (includ- basement of Keith Richards’s villa in the ing the Mercury Music Prize-nominated south of France in 1971. Having fled Britain Here Be Monsters). It features incredibly to escape astronomical debts incurred due to beautiful vocals (reminiscent of Jeff Buck- archaic tax laws, the band set about record- ley), and characteristically honest and SALE ON AT CARLTON * HAWTHORN * MALVERN ing their most celebrated work amidst a haze speculative lyrics. On his official MySpace * PORT MELBOURNE * ST KILDA * WWW.READINGS.COM.AU of hangers-on and drug-induced debauchery. blog, Ed Harcourt says of the album: ‘It’s The glorious results are by now well known 18 Readings Monthly July 2010

got horns, violins, howling, mellophones, To the Sea the Langley sisters, barks, whistles, hell I Jack Johnson even sung down by a creek in the middle of Normally $26.95 Country the night’. Highlights include Killed By The Some Strange Country Our special price $21.95 Crooked Still Morning Sun, Church Of No Religion, Hay- Hawaiian native and unofficial kingpin of wired and Do As I Say Not As I Do. Highly beachside pop-rock, Jack Johnson’s newest $25.95 recommended! delivery of breezily spun folk songs capture I’ve liked the New England-based Crooked Miranda La Fleur is from Readings St Kilda the mellow mood of his previous albums, Still for some time now. This exceptionally complete with a sunny-surf vibe. Johnson trained group possesses an authentic quality We Are Born kicks up the tempo on this one ever so that comes only with experience and extensive Sia slightly, but he’s done nothing to alienate his study. There’s much to meditate on and savour $24.95 fans. Indeed, some are calling this his best with their fourth release, and the title track is This is the fifth studio album yet. stripped back and timbre raw. Singer Aoife release from Adelaide-born O’Donovan’s voice floats over a beautiful musi- Sia. She’s renowned for her cal landscape. This is a confident record by a previous involvement with for Francophiles fully formed ensemble that will continue to expand their already loyal following. MA electronic duo Zero 7 (as Francophiles rejoice! Just in time for Bastille guest vocalist), as well as her Day and Le Tour De France we have a double gorgeous single Breathe Me which featured on dose of French popettes to treat your ears with: the final episode and scene of the HBO TV series Six Feet Under. A departure from her Mademoiselle Folk & World down-tempo work of the past, We Are Born is Berry How Sweet the Sound a bold and energetic pop album, which clearly $24.95 Joan Baez exhibits her vocal diversity and talent. It’s a This debut album was first DVD $19.95. CD $24.95 very fun, upbeat listen, featuring an endearing released in 2008, but it’s A thorough look at Joan Baez’s early days as a cover of Madonna’s 1989 song Oh Father. new to Australia, thanks to high school pacifist, through her discovery of MLF the Cartell label. Berry is a folk music and her subsequent performing and Homeland CD/DVD French singer/songwriter recording career. We see lots of archival per- whose jazz-inflected style is formance footage of Baez performing solo and Laurie Anderson rooted deeply in the tradition of chanson with Bob Dylan, revealing her emerging song- $39.95 française. She’s currently riding a wave of writing ability and unabated commitment Laurie Anderson has just been to Australia, success in France that has seen Mademoiselle to social justice, right up to the present day. curating the Vivid Festival in Sydney with go gold. Nominated for Best Debut Album Interviewees include Dylan, Roger McGuinn husband Lou Reed. To say this album has at the French Grammies, and featuring the and David Crosby. All this, as well as the social been much anticipated would be quite an catchy single Demain, it’s a mostly French context of the Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam understatement. She performed this music album that takes a poetic and sophisticated movements, help place her music and life into in Melbourne a couple of years ago and her look at love, with all the beauty and an extremely informative documentary. devoted fans have been waiting patiently melancholy that eternal subject can inspire. Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton ever since. In fact, for two years she’s been performing this around the world, and The Big Machine The Hour of Separation slowly it’s evolved into this studio project. Emilie Simon Joseph Tawadros It’s classic Laurie Anderson. SG $24.95 $29.95 Laws of Illusion For The Big Machine, Long-time Australian resident and oud master Emilie Simon has based and composer, Joseph Tawadros has done Sarah McLachlan herself in New York and much to introduce the oud into the Western Normally $26.95 written an ode to the Big musical mainstream. These musical conversa- Our special price $21.95 Apple. Sung mostly in tions between Tawadros and brother James This Canadian singer was a English, and always eclectic on percussion, as well as jazz legends John huge star in her native and original, comparisons to Kate Bush are Abercrombie (electric guitar), John Pattucci country when we last heard inevitable due to both the style of singing (acoustic bass) and drummer extraordinaire from her about seven years and song structure – and this is a fantastic Jack De Johnette make for an exciting listen. ago. Although she’s a thing! Still riding a wave of success in Comparisons with the ECM recordings on multi-platinum and Australia thanks to the annual So Frenchy So Anouar Brahem are inevitable, but this is a Grammy Award-winning artist, she’s still Chic compilations, Simon manages to much more dynamic style with less emphasis largely unknown in Australia. This album will change and grow with each of her albums. on atmosphere. PB hopefully see all of that change. Plus, she’s headlining her own very successful Lilith Fair Essential – the historic, all-women festival she founded Staring Down the Dougie MacLean – in Australia later this year. The album is her Brilliant Dream: Live $29.95 first since she separated from her husband, This is an amazing double-CD compilation and while this event inspired many of the Indigo Girls $25.95 of recent tourist Dougie MacLean’s catalogue songs here, the album’s certainly not self- over the last three decades. All his best (and indulgent. Welcome back. SG This double album features live recordings from various 2006–2009 performances. now much-covered modern folk songs) are All the hits are here, in the gutsy, vibrant available here in one package. PB Mojo Tom Petty versions that live shows can generate. Sisters Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, with their pen- Rise and Shine and the Heartbreakers chant for socially and politically conscious Sierra Leone’s $24.95 songwriting, have gathered a huge following Refugee AllStars Recorded live in their Los that will love the freewheeling mood of this $29.95 Angeles studio, Mojo moves extensive collection. SG This nine-piece band – with a extensive with a mix of Southern bunch of collaborators – know how to mix blues and highway soul. London Calling: personal and political lyrics into an enjoyable Tom Petty regards this Live in Hyde Park DVD mix of African reggae and guitar-based music, album as more deep South Bruce Springsteen & the all underpinned by a powerful rhythm section than California, and he uses and some dynamic horn playing. PB the blues as a backdrop to his distinctive vo- E Street Band cals and powerful band dynamic. He’s writ- Normally $29.95 Our special price $22.95 Soma ten songs which traverse a number of themes John McSherry and genres, and while not uncommon for This DVD captures Bruce $29.95 him, the album is still distinctly Tom Petty. Springsteen’s entire 28 June From the grunt of Jefferson Jericho Blues and 2009 performance at the Aurora I Should Have Known It to the introspection Hard Rock Calling music Michael McGoldrick of Something Good Coming, we’re left with festival in front of 50,000 $29.95 another classic album to listen to while driv- screaming Londoners. The These two modern master-musicians from ing – or just having a good time. LF film documents 26 live the Celtic tradition have recorded before, tracks that begin in daylight finding time amidst their busy session The House and progress through a gorgeous sunset. and touring commitments to put out new Katie Melua You can see Springsteen spontaneously albums of contemporary Celtic tunes. $25.95 directing the E Street Band and shaping the John McSherry – who plays Irish pipes and Another elegant collection here from Katie show as it evolves. In addition to covering whistles – plays solo and in a small band Melua, which includes some deep and the Clash’s rebel anthem, Bruce and the context, while Michael McGoldick – the poignant love songs. Things are kept simple band barrel through a version of Jimmy most in-demand flute player – takes a more Trapped yet thoughtful with production by William Cliff’s and several rare fan favou- adventurous approach, mostly using a full Orbit. SG rites from their own back catalogue. SG band and occasional brass. PB Readings Monthly July 2010 19 Classical Specials of the Month Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony New Classical CDs Richard Hickox & London Symphony Orches- Classical CDs listeners looking for something fresh and new, Paul Lewis tra. Chandos. CHAN 9902. Normally $34.95 of the Month with beauty still intact, this is your recording. Tour Sale in July Our special price for the month of July $19.95 Kate Rockstrom is from Readings Carlton To celebrate the Australian Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Mozart: Violin tour of British pianist Paul Philippe Herreweghe Concertos 3 & 5 Lewis, Readings is offering HM Gold. HMG 501608. Normally $27.95 / Sinfonia Concertante Mozart: complete two of his recordings at Our special price for the month of July $14.95 Violin Sonatas (3 CDs) in E Flat K364 special prices. First up is A London Symphony was Richard Tognetti & Australian Wolfgang Schneiderhan the Complete Beethoven Vaughan Williams’s Chamber Orchestra & Carl Seeman Piano Sonatas in a ten-CD box set favourite among his BIS. BISSACD1754. Normally $34.95 DG. 4779055. $37.95 (HMX290190211, Normally $129.95, symphonic repertoire, and Our special price for the month of July $24.95 The piano’s role in these Our special price for July $84.95). When the 1913 version includes Mozart’s violin concertos works can never be released as individual sets, each was an Edi- 20 minutes of music that are definitely more difficult underestimated, as it is tor’s Choice in Gramophone Magazine, and later versions have omitted. These passages to play than they sound, often very much to the volume four was Record of the Year in 2008. show Williams at his most melodious and which can lead to all sorts fore, and Carl Seeman has While Lewis has technique to burn, it’s his give the work a tauter feel. In the hands of of problems in the hands that quality of self-control complete understanding of the repertoire the late Richard Hickox, this recording is of lesser musicians. that all good Mozart players need. Wolfgang that sets these performances apart: outstand- extremely beautiful, and he elicits some Fortunately, the hands of Richard Tognetti Schneiderhan’s tone is warm without ing. Also on offer is his new recording of magnificent playing from the LSO. The and the ACO are very good. Their record- schmaltz – and together, they never lose the Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos Chandos sound is spellbinding. ing begins with Violin Concerto No. 3, an sight of the total balance. These newly (three-CD set), performed with Jiri Be- intimate work full of sweet and beautiful remastered recordings were some of the lohlavek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra Our next special is Brahms’s German Requiem melodies. For this reviewer, nothing in the earliest of the complete Mozart: Violin (HMC90205355, Normally $59.95, , composed Mozart catalogue touches the listener’s Sonatas – winning acclaim from critics of the Our special price for July $46.95). Australia after the death of his mother. musical soul quite like this piece. Tognetti time. As Gramophone Magazine wrote in will have this particular item a month before This is an astonishing and and the ACO really hit their stride with 1959: ‘The playing of both Schneiderhan the rest of the world. unique work, one of the Violin Concerto No. 5 – a formidable piece, and Seemann reaches the very highest classical music greats. graceful yet technically demanding – deliv- professional standards, with ensemble as Philippe Herreweghe gives the soloists, the ering a stirring performance. The final work perfect as one can hope for in this world, Transformation choir and the orchestra the necessary musical is the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin & each playing into the hands of the other at Yuja Wang space to deliver one of the best performances of Viola: another inspired performance, with the correct moments, and each with the DG. 4778795. $21.95 this work, combined with Harmonia Mundi’s beautiful work on the viola from Christo- Mozartian style in their fingertips.’ PR Yuja Wang’s second recital excellent sound. Highly recommended. PR pher Moore. Once again, Tognetti and the disc for Deutsche Gram- Please note there will be limited quantities at ACO prove what valuable assets they are to Boccherini: mophon is an interesting these prices and once sold out they will revert the classical music world. Symphonies program for Stravinsky, to the original prices. Phil Richards is from Readings Carlton Matthias Bamert Brahms, Ravel and & London Mozart Players Scarlatti. In the Stravinsky, In The Still of the Night STRAVINSKY LE SACRE Chandos. CHAN 10604. Brahms and Ravel she sees the importance Anna Netrebko & Daniel Barenboim DU PRINTEMPS Our special price $24.95 of transformations: the puppet comes to life DG. 4778589. $21.95 Gustavo Dudamel & Símon This new recording of in Petrushka; and in Brahms’s Paganini This song recital was Bolívar Youth Orchestra Boccherini’s three sympho- Variations and Ravel’s La Valse, the musical recorded live at last year’s themes and forms undergo considerable Salzburg Festival and was DG. 4778775. nies (his output included apparently a stand-out Our special price $21.95 about 30 symphonies) is transformations. These three major pieces are linked together with two, single-move- performance. The divine Opening with the famous part of the Contemporaries ment Scarlatti sonatas. This is an innovative Anna Netrebko is joined by bassoon solo, the new of Mozart series – one of approach to programming and makes a pianist Daniel Barenboim in this recital of album from Gustavo the longest-running on Chandos, and refreshing change from single-composer all Russian music dear to the diva’s heart. Dudamel (at the head of the offering performances of rarely recorded and genre compilations. Wang has a The program consists of lieder by Rismsky Simon Bolivar Youth works. If you are only familiar with Boc- formidable technique, evident in Petrushka’s Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, showcasing Orchestra) is, of course, cherini’s chamber music then I suggest three movements. Not only does she dazzle Netrebko’s rich vocal timbre and depth of stunning. With an enthusiastic yet precise giving this recording a try. Matthias Bamert with her ability to move from one note to artistry. Bonus encores include Dvorak’s rendering of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, they and the London Mozart Players attack the the next, but the clarity of her playing is Songs My Mother Taught Me and Richard also feature a work from Mexican composer, repertoire with gusto, and the end result is mesmerising. This is also true in Ravel’s La Strauss’s Cacilie. This CD is also available as Silvestre Revueltas. Often referred to as the a finely detailed recording of these little- Valse, but here Wang’s musical ability is on a deluxe limited edition in a beautiful Stravinsky of Latin America, Revueltas’ La known works. Highly recommended. PR show too, portraying that disturbing sense hardcover book with additional texts, noche de los mayas is a piece of contrasts – Please note there will be a limited quantity at of decay. exclusive pictures and press quotes loud percussion, followed by soft beautiful this price and once sold out it will revert to the Maurice Smith is a guest reviewer (4778867, $34.95). string – with many of the distinctive passion- original price. Catherine Koerner is from Readings Hawthorn ate rhythms imbuing the melodies. For all

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WarehouseBooks s CDs s DVDs s Up toSale 80% Off Don’t miss the huge sale at our new warehouse, 314-318 Drummond St, Carlton. Sale on from Saturday 10th – Sunday 18th July; Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm; Monday – Friday, 12pm – 2pm. Hundreds of books, CDs, DVDs and stationery at special bargain prices. Limited stock. Hurry in !