Free march 2011 Readings Monthly

• Siri Hustvedt • David Malouf • Jon Bauer on Graham Greene black glass (s cri b e ). IMAGE FROM COVER of meg m und e ll's n w ove l

Sophie Cunningham on Meg Mundell,s novel p 5 March book, CD & DVD new releases. More new releases inside.

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The shipment is in ! Bargain Book Warehouse Sale Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Monday 14 March • Books up to 80% off Sale of a new shipment of Readings Bargain Table books—at up to 80% off normal retail prices. Three days only, 10am-6pm, at our warehouse, 314 Drummond St, Carlton. While stocks last!

All shops open 7 days, except State Library shop, which is open Monday - Saturday. 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 us at [email protected] Browse and buy online at www.readings.com.au and at ebooks.readings.com.au

THE HARE WITH AMBER EYES An epic family history told through an extraordinary inheritance. AWARD- WINNING ‘Wise, strange and gripping.’ A.S. ByAtt WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER

Keep in touch with great book news www.randomhouse.com.au 2 Readings Monthly March 2011

From the Editor Meet the bookseller International Women’s Day (8 March) is OThis-Week discount Month’sprogram in any of News our Readings shops, or with … especially topical for the writing community Head down to your local Readings bookshop visit www.frenchfilmfestival.org. Pip Newling, Readings this year, as debates rage about the under- and get 20 per cent off all full-priced (and Port Melbourne representation of women writers and review- in-stock) books, CDs, DVDs and stationery Waterstone Winner ers. In January, writer Ann Hays sent back items, on presentation of a valid student card First-time author Sita Brahmachari has won Why do you work in books? her copy of The New Yorker after realising or proof of enrolment. This offer is valid for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize for her I love the idea of a only three out of the magazine’s 148 pages all Readings shops (excluding online) until 15 coming-of-age novel Artichoke Hearts (Pan, ‘book’. Just the word were penned by women. In the open letter, March 2011. Not valid with any other offer, PB, $14.99). The story, which deals with itself, let alone anything she wrote, ‘I plan to return every issue that nor for lay-bys or special orders. And don’t death and grief, was inspired by her mother- else you might find when you crack contains fewer than five women writers. You forget, we offer ten per cent off any course- in-law’s death from cancer. The writer was it open. I was one of those kids who tend to publish 13 to 15 writers in each issue; related book all through the year, on presenta- presented with her £5000 award by Children’s devoured books: so much so, that Mum 5 women shouldn’t be that hard.’ tion of a valid student card. Laureate Anthony Browne at a London cer- and Dad let me read pretty much what- In February, women’s arts organisation VIDA emony. Browne said the ‘beautifully written’ ever I could find in the house. I love published statistics showing that The New Readings book made him ‘laugh and cry – sometimes being dragged into a story where I learn Yorker is by no means unusual. It surveyed Warehouse Sale at the same time’. The judging panel praised things about other people, other places, the proportion of women writers published We have a new shipment of our famous Artichoke Hearts for the ‘effortless way in myself. I’ve also written a book and have in literary publications from The Atlantic to Readings Bargain Table books. Sale on for which it shows how inspiring grandparents another on the go and I love reading The Believer to The London Review of Books. three days only: Saturday 12 March–Mon- and the older generation can be for children’. other writers’ stories. And across the board, men far outnumbered day 14 March, 10am–6pm at the Readings What’s the best book you’ve read lately? women contributors. There were also far Warehouse, 314–318 Drummond Street, Children’s Book more male than female authors reviewed. For Carlton. Up to 80 per cent off normal retail Festival at the state What does ‘best’ mean? The most inven- example, at The New York Times, one of the prices. While stocks last! library of victoria tive and profound book I have read late- more equitable examples, 295 book reviewers Attention children of ly is The Messenger: A Novel by Yannick were women (438 were men); and 283 au- Quarterly Essay: Victoria! On Sunday 3 April Haenel, where he sheds new light on the thors reviewed were women (524 were men). ebooks all $9.95 your favourite authors and Holocaust and questions whether there is anything like a ‘global conscience’. We are thrilled to announce that we now have illustrators will be taking over The debate has continued ever since, with The smartest contemporary story I have every single Quarterly Essay ever published the lawns of the State Library, even those who’d suspected a bias shocked read lately is Hand Me Down World available in our ebooks store for $9.95 each. from 10am to 4pm. There’ll by the raw figures – particularly in light by Lloyd Jones, almost a crime novel This includes the most recent essay – Trivial be puppet shows and of the publishing truism that women read but also a structural and philosophical Pursuit by George Megalogenis – and a few readings, music and magic. more than men. Some suggest that women marvel. The grandest epic I have read that have gone out of print, including Guy A free event with no bookings required. For submit to publishers in lower numbers. recently is The Thousand Autumns of Rundle’s essay on John Howard the oppor- more information, visit wheelercentre.com Rob Spillman, editor of Tin House (one of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. After tunist, Mungo MacCallum’s Girt By Sea and or slv.vic.gov.au. the magazines surveyed) said that while the 469 pages I was left weeping. numbers of men and women who submit Tim Flannery’s first Quarterly Essay, Beautiful Sleepers Subs Open to his magazine are fairly evenly divided, he Lies. We think it’s a great price and Quarterly What’s the strangest experience you’ve had It’s that time of year again ... Sleepers does see a stark disparity in responses from Essays are perfect for reading on your phone in a bookshop? invited authors. ‘When I solicit male authors, (or any other device with a web browser for Publishing have just announced that that matter), whether you’re on the go, on submissions to the seventh edition of their I had a man, early 40s, come in one day the only ones who do not submit are those and ask me for a book on guns for a five- contractually bound by other magazines. For the train or in bed. Visit our ebooks store at much-praised almanac (Sleepers Almanac ebooks.readings.com.au. No. 7) are now open. And good news for year-old. I’m sure that if you have guns female authors it is closer to 50% submit after around, it would be a good thing to have being asked … Similarly, men whose work we all those writers still looking for their big Alliance Française break – they’re specifically on the lookout a ‘what not/to do’ book for young chil- accept are more likely to follow up publica- dren – I just couldn’t find one for him. tion with more submissions.’ French Film Festival for new, never-before-published writers (while by no means restricting access to Ruth Franklin, in The New Republic, came Approaching its twenty-second sensational writers previously published). And you’ve What’s your favourite book of all time? at the debate from a new angle, asking if year, the Alliance Française French Film Fes- got a while to get your best work together, As I don’t re-read, often my favourite perhaps the proportion of books reviewed tival offers an ambitious national program. or polish it till it shines: submissions close 1 book is the best one I have read most might reflect a lower proportion of books Over 40 films will screen in Melbourne from July 2011. For more information, visit www. recently but I would have to say that by women being published in the genres 9–27 March. Readings is proud to spon- sleeperspublishing.com. at the moment, it’s a toss-up between likely to be reviewed. And, she continued, as sor the Festival again in 2011. Pick up your Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian and many freelance book reviewers are published copy of the Alliance French Film Festival Marilynne Robinson’s Home. I know: authors, a gender disparity in books published modern classics. One day I’ll get back to might also explain the low proportion of the Russians. female reviewers. In a survey of 13 publish- ing houses, from Little, Brown and Knopf to Name a book that has changed the way independent publishers like Verso, her theory you think – in ways small or large. proved pretty spot-on. Isn’t this every good book? However, Steinbeck’s East of Eden, which I only While there are no solid facts and figures on read for the first time last year, is a phe- the situation in Australia, debate is stirring nomenal book. It contains everything here, too. Rosemary Sorensen wrote about the you could ever need in life. Families, fact men’s books are reviewed more often, and siblings, religion, migration, abandon- reviewers are more often men, in The Austra- ment, racism, class, love, belonging and lian’s books pages last year. Australian authors hope. And hate: the destructive power of and literary figures are keenly following the jealousy and hate. US debate, wondering how we stack up. On International Women’s Day, Monday 8 What was your favourite book as a kid? March, Readings has teamed with Kill Your Charles Kingsley’s The Water Babies. Darlings to present a lively discussion of I adored this book. The idea that you women’s representation in and by the Austra- could be something magical and new lian media, focusing on women in print, with underwater really appealed to me as Sleepers Publishing’s Louise Swinn; former a kid and still does. I loved both Mrs A&U publisher, former Meanjin editor and DoAsYouWouldBeDoneBy and Mrs novelist Sophie Cunningham; and feminist BeDoneByAsYouDid and when pushed writer Monica Dux. Please join us! I still invoke them! —Jo Case Oslo Davis www.oslodavis.com

CINEMA NOVA RECOMMENDS Visit the new Cinema Nova Bar Michael Nyqvist Noomi Rapace theGIRLwho KICKEDthe 380 LYGON ST CARLTON HORNETS’ www.cinemanova.com.au The obscenity trial that started a revolution, Online bookings available a poem that rocked a generation. NEST From the directors of The Celluloid Closet Join our e-news for updates on the Met Opera, MARCH 3 The highly-anticipated final chapter of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. National Theatre and other stage spectaculars. and The Life And Times Of Harvey Milk MARCH 10 - EXCLUSIVE Readings Monthly March 2011 3 Kasey Edwards 24 In Thirty Something and the Andy Griffiths Clock Is Ticking (Ebury, PB, Terry will join Andy as they $34.95), Kasey Edwards talk/joke/dance/sing/draw/ explores what motherhood MarchAll our Readings book and music eventsEvents are muck through their new would mean for her identity, free, unless otherwise stated. Bookings do not 9 book. In its 68 fully illus- her career, her body, her guarantee a seat, but rather indicate to us the Yan Lianke trated, 100 per cent fact-free relationships and her mental number of people to expect. To see more events Readings, Asialink and Text chapters, What Body Part health. Friday 11 March, or for updates on new events please visit the Publishing are pleased to isThat? (Pan, PB, $14.99) 6.30pm, Readings Port Melbourne. events page at www.readings.com.au. present renowned Chinese will explain everything you Free, no need to book. novelist Yan Lianke. Al- ever needed to know about your body, gold coin donations though he has had two without all the boring technical jargon Susan Shore Thursday 24 at Readings Events of his novels banned in and scientific accuracy. Death, Our Last Illusion (Common March,5.30pm–6.30pm, Readings China, Yan continues to Ground) begins with the latest science We're now asking for people who attend Hawthorn. Bookings: 9819 1917. our events to please make a small donation, speak honestly about the on the near-death experience, and then when possible, to the Readings Foundation. impact that government censorship (and explores the passage through physical death The Readings Foundation was established by self-censorship) have had on contemporary to the states of conscious being beyond. Readings’ managing director Mark Rubbo in Chinese writers. His latest novel is 28 Friday 25 March, 6.30pm, Readings 2008 to make donations to individuals and Dream of Ding Village (Text, PB, $32.95). What It Is: Carlton. Free, no need to book. organizations that do good work for com- Wednesday 9 March, 6.30pm, Sergei Eisenstein munity, literacy, or the arts. Donations are Readings Carlton. Bookings: 9347 6633. This new event series features David Walker funded from a percentage of Readings' prof- comic book makers and Don Watson will launch its, and from Readings customers, who make raconteurs live on stage, David’s memoir Not Dark Yet donations in return for gift wrapping—and 16 performances of kamishibai (Giramondo, PB, $32.95). now events as well. There will be a tin for gold Phillippe Mouchel (the Japanese art of paper Thursday 31 March, 6 for coin donation at each event. All contributions theatre), and drawings drawn 6.30 pm, Fitzroy Nursery, with Rita Erlich 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. to the Foundation over $2 are tax deduct- Join renowned chef Philippe before your very eyes. We ible and can be made at any Readings shop. start with Sergei Eisenstein: RSVP: fitzroynursery@ Mouchel and food writer fitzroynursery.com.au. Thank you for your support. Rita Erlich, and indulge in two-fisted comic book theorist. Your host, some French sweet treats, as the svengali of Melbourne comics Bernard Pages to Poetry they chat about their new Caleo (editor of The Tango Collection, A&U, Pages to Poetry is not on this month due to cookbook, More than French PB, $35), and Michael Camilleri (author/ the public holiday, but it will be back in (Slattery, HB, $65). Wednes- artist of ‘Itinerant Fighting Monk’, from April. Stay tuned. day 16 March, 6.30pm, Going Down Swinging) wrestle with Eisen- Coming in April Readings Hawthorn. Bookings: 9819 1917. stein’s ‘montage’ theory and argue about it 14 being more useful for comics than film. Andrew Fowler 8 There will also be the classic kamishibai tale on Julian Assange ‘Sergei’s Pram’ (2011) and a ‘collective MUP is proud to announce Women in Print: 17 Monday 28 March, International Sara Foster comic’, created live. the forthcoming release of 8–9pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no need to The Most Dangerous Man in Women’s Day Sara Foster’s second novel, book. Special Event Beneath the Shadows (Ban- the World (PB, $32.99) by tam, PB, $32.95) pays investigative journalist Kill Your Darlings and Andrew Fowler. (Due to Readings join forces to tribute to the gothic tradi- 28 tion, with nods to some popular demand, MUP are present a lively discussion of June Alexander fast-tracking the ebook the fate of women in all-time classics such as Rebecca and Wuthering At the age of 11, June edition to all e-retailers for a 28 March publishing, writing and the Alexander developed an release, followed by a print edition release media in the noughties. KYD Heights. Her first novel hit bestseller lists across the world. Join us for a obsession with her weight, in bookstores on 11 April.) Andrew Fowler editor Rebecca Starford leading to a lifetime of gives a ringside view of WikiLeaks and the chairs a panel of formidable reading and discussion about the very nature of this genre. Thursday 17 March, 6.30pm, self-doubt and deception. She man who is as secretive as the organisations women in print: author Monica Dux (The Thursday 14 April, 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Bookings: 9819 1917. lived with anorexia and he targets. Great Feminist Denial), Sleepers editorial bulimia, even as she became a Cinema Nova, Lygon Street Court, director Louise Swinn (also a contributor to successful journalist. A Girl Carlton. Bookings: 9347 6633. KYD Issue 4) and Sophie Cunningham Called Tim (New Holland, PB, $29.95) is the (recent editor of Meanjin, novelist, journal- 23 story of her ultimate triumph over her Tuesday 8 March, 6.30pm, Readings ist). Peter FitzSimons condition. Monday 28 March, 6.30pm, Carlton. 18 Bookings: 9347 6633. Australia’s bestselling Readings Hawthorn. Bookings: 9819 1917. Betty Churcher non-fiction author, Peter FitzSimons, will be speaking Former Director of the 8 about his incredible new National Gallery of Australia Bernard Beckett story Batavia (Random and much-loved figure in House, HB, Normally Australia’s art world, Betty Join us to celebrate the launch Launches Churcher is credited with of the Centre for Youth $49.95, Our special price S.J. Finn $36.95). Wednesday 23 Join us when Sophie bringing some of the world’s Literature’s new-look website, best art to Australia and was insideadog.com.au. The event March, 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Cunningham launches Bookings: 9819 1917. S.J. Finn's This Too Shall Pass the face of ABC TV series will feature a keynote speech Hidden Treasures. After the shock degenera- by award-winning New (Sleepers, PB, $27.95, ebook $13.95). Thursday 3 March, tion of her eyesight in 2003, Betty set off to Zealand author Bernard Beck- revisit her favourite pieces of art around the Tuesday 8 March, 6pm 6 for 6.30pm start, ett. 24 world. Betty’s lovingly drawn sketches are to 7.30pm St. Kilda Bowling Club (Refreshments from 6pm for a Hugh Tolhurst & reproduced in Betty Churcher’s Notebooks The Age: Media House (66 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda). 6.30pm start), Jennifer Harrison (MUP, HB, $39.95). Monday 18 April, Auditorium Free, no need to book. , 655 Collins Street, Docklands. Join poets Jennifer and Hugh, accompanied 6pm–7.30pm. North Fitzroy Star, 32/36 St (Opposite Southern Cross Station at the corner by Dave Moll for an acoustic set. Thursday Gail Ford Georges Road South, Fitzroy. Includes a of Collins and Spencer Streets.)Tickets are $15 24 of March, 6:30pm, Readings St Kilda. glass of wine and a copy of her book: $45 Gail has visited Russia 18 times over two and include a copy of Bernard Beckett’s new Bookings: 9525 3852. per person. Bookings: 9347 6633. book, August (Text, PB, $23.95), and refresh- decades of immense change. Her book, ments. Tickets are free for members of the The Lure Of Russia (Citrus Press, PB, State Library of Victoria’s Book Talkers club, $34.95) chronicles her experiences. but bookings are essential: 1800 633 766. 24 Thursday 3 March, 6pm for 6.30pm, 19 Terry Denton Readings Carlton. Free, no need to book. Michael Kirby Terry Denton (Just series, Don't miss this chance to 9 Wombat series, etc.) will read Meg Mundell hear former High Court Derryn Hinch a little, draw a little and talk Join us for the celebration of justice Michael Kirby a little to a lucky 25 kids in talking about his life, work, In his new book Human Meg Mundell’s debut novel, this afternoon workshop. Headlines: My 50 Years in the Black Glass (Scribe, PB, and A.J. Brown's new book Suitable for ages six to 12 Michael Kirby: Paradoxes, Media (Cocoon Lodge, HB, Normally $32.95, Our only. All equipment supplied. Principles (The Federation $39.95), Hinch talks about special price $27.95, ebook Thursday 24 March, $18.99). Thursday 10 Press HB, $59.95). the struggle for truth that 4.30pm–5.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. Tuesday 19 April, 6.30pm, Carillo Gantner has divided the Australian March, 6pm, Bella Union, Cost: $20. Includes a copy of Terry Denton's Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, public, and the media itself. Level 1 Trades Hall, Corner Bumper Book of Silly Stuff to Do! (Penguin, of Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton. Swanston Street, University of Melbourne, Come and meet him! PB, $16.95). Bookings: 9819 1917. Wednesday 9 March, 6.30pm, Readings Free, no need to book. Parkville. Bookings: 9347 6633. Port Melbourne. Bookings: 9681 9255. 4 Readings Monthly March 2011 New Australian Writing Feature

ThroughSophie Cunningham interviews Meg Mundell about aBlack Glassglass (Scribe, PB, Normally $32.95,darkly Our price $27.95, ebook $18.99)

the trucking trip I dyed my hair dark red. No make-up. Dressed quite dowdily. I’m aware of how people read you based on how they see you.’ Mundell worked as a journalist for four-and- a-half years at The Big Issue and says that being around the vendors probably influ- enced some of the themes in this book.

‘Black Glass is thoughtful, intelligent fiction. But while dense with ideas, it’s wry, not heavy-handed – much like Mundell herself.’

Being a journalist also informed her writing of Damon. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s struggling with the pressures of working Meg Mundell has been a Melbourne-based Mundell says she ‘took the geography of with media agencies that abdicate all care Melbourne as I remembered and imagined The entrance to the old rail tunnel and responsibility, leaving such concerns working writer for over a decade, with her was all but invisible. In a corner of features published in The Age, The Monthly, it … pieces of Melbourne transplanted, but to their erratically-paid band of freelance then when I finished I got out a Melways and the Docklands, past the empty towers journos – men and women who are left to The Big Issue and elsewhere, and her fiction ap- and overflowing bins, an ancient pair pearing in Meanjin and Best Australian Stories drew this big map of the whole setting of the scramble and compete for a living like boun- novel and plotted out where everything hap- of railway tracks, blackened with age ty hunters from the American Wild West. 2010. Local novelist and publishing identity and lichen, led to a dead-end tangle Sophie Cunningham, who published Meg’s fic- pened. I wanted to capture it without being ‘Damon is my very cynical take on where too specific. I walk around a lot but I’m not of vines. Blue tugged aside a piece freelance journalism is going. He’s drawn tion in her recent role as editor of Meanjin, talks of plywood, and there was the hole. to her for Readings’ NAW Feature series about good with time. I go into a dream and it’s from my own experience of having been in more the feel of the place that I remember.’ Tally laced up the sneakers, belted a position where journalism occupied one her gripping dystopian debut novel Black Glass her detective coat tight and glanced (Scribe, PB, Normally $32.95, Our special That dream-like knowing infuses Black Glass. place but has drifted to another, something back through the gap and followed towards entertainment.’ price $27.95, ebook $18.99). The title suggests a world seen through the Blue into the dark. opposite of rose-coloured glasses and delib- The most mercurial of Black Glass’s charac- nce you’ve read Meg Mundell’s erately echoes the biblical saying ‘Through Despite living rough, Blue is a gentle pres- ters is Milk. He’s a man with a God complex debut novel Black Glass, you a Glass Darkly’. It also references Phillip K. ence in the novel. ‘I didn’t deliberately make or, as he would see it, a choreographer of won’t look at Melbourne quite Dick’s Through a Scanner Darkly. Certainly Blue Aboriginal,’ Mundell told me. ‘He just emotions – a veritable Mozart. From hid- the same way again. Set in a Black Glass shifts your vision slightly, and in popped up. I didn’t set out to address issues. den booths at casinos, parties and public city that is either Melbourne doing so creates a dramatic new perspective. I just wanted to tell the stories of people at events he manipulates crowds using smell in a parallel universe, or in the near future, It is, like Dick’s novel, dystopian fiction, disadvantage but they still struggled to sur- and sound. He does this so tenderly it takes the effect is like a shadow version of the though that was not Mundell’s intention. ‘I vive and still had hope. There was one thing you a long time to realise just how appall- O wasn’t thinking of it as genre, it just hap- I wanted to get across. You can’t really tell ing what he’s doing really is. This hijacking author’s hometown. A country girl from New Zealand, Mundell has lived in Melbourne pened that way. I read a lot of John Wynd- much about people by looking at them.’ of our senses and subtle use of surveillance ham as a kid and I guess that rubbed off.’ combines two long-standing areas of fascina- for over ten years now and her explorations The idea that you can’t judge people by their inform the novel. ‘I go bike riding around tion for Mundell. ‘There are instances of Tally and Grace are the heart of Black Glass. appearance is strong through Black Glass. using smell and music to influence purchas- under the Westgate a lot. It’s so atmospheric The teenage sisters are separated by an acci- Both sisters take to wearing costumes that with all the freeways overhead … I once went ing decisions. It’s kind of invisible. We live dent that takes place in the opening pages of allow them to perform in their new roles, in such a visual culture that we ignore it, but up the Maribyrnong on a boat. We found the novel. They have been living in the coun- leaving the reader in fear that even if the these old shipyards and they were just beauti- smell taps into the limbic system, which is try but go to Melbourne in search of each girls find each other they may not recognise connected to memory and libido. For me ful. It’s an interesting part of the city because other. The girls ‘were really the first things each other. The first time I saw Mundell she there’s lots of forgotten space, and lots of crowd control is a logical next step because that came. They always felt really real and was in a costume also: she was at a pitch- public space is now a commodity.’ guarded space.’ strong for me. Especially Tally. Tally became ing competition at the Melbourne Writers’ Barack Obama is President of the US, quite bossy. She started to take over. I had to Festival wearing overalls which helped her, Black Glass is thoughtful, intelligent fiction. Neighbours is on the television, Cate think my way more into the headspace Grace so she says, get into character for the book But while dense with ideas, it’s wry, not Blanchett is old, Docklands is derelict and would be in given what happened. She’d be a she’s finishing now: ‘It’s partly a collection of heavy-handed – much like Mundell herself. surveillance systems are more intrusive than bit numbed, I thought.’ Grace is 15, beauti- road stories from truckies and it’s threaded And while it may (or may not) be set in they are today. The city’s ‘undocs’ – people ful, and very vulnerable. Tally is tougher, together with my narrative of three months the future, the novel’s sensibility is old- without papers who are usually homeless 13, and a bit of tomboy. In some scenes she of travelling around. I promised my mother fashioned in the most touching of ways: in – are trying to survive on the fringes of the could just as well be a street urchin in Victo- I wouldn’t hitch and did try not to, because this shadow Melbourne, connection, love CBD and just to the south and west; around rian London as a heroine of the new world I wanted to have more control over who I and friendship are all. Melbourne’s docks, under the Westgate and order. She is taken under the wing of a young travelled with. But I had to a couple of times. around the Maribyrnong. It’s the unsettling man, Blue, who shows her the ropes of her Mostly the men were quite lonely and were Sophie Cunningham’s latest novel is Bird combination of the known and the unknown new life, a life now full of secret tunnels and happy to chat. There were a few dicey mo- (Text, PB, $32.95). that gives Mundell’s work a real edge. dangerous cash-in-hand jobs: ments – but more funny ones. When I did Readings Monthly March 2011 5

Book of the month The summer Mark’s say without men News and views from Readings’ JoQ&A Case talks to Cherisewith Saywell Cherise about her debut novel Saywell Desert Fish Siri Hustvedt managing director Mark Rubbo The news of the (Vintage, PB, Normally $32.95, Our special price $27.95). Sceptre. PB. Normally $24.95 Our special price $19.95 REDgroup going into voluntary administration Siri Hustvedt is renowned she develops a sexual obsession with Pete. ironically reached me (by for her elegant, cerebral Their lovemaking represents a kind of text message) while I was novels and darkly truth for her. She believes it can’t stand standing in the Borders bewitching storytelling for anything else. in Berijaya Mall in Kuala (particularly the Lumpur. The REDgroup Gilly is stuck in a claustrophobic intimacy psychological thriller comprises Borders Australia and with her parents, who inappropriately What I Loved). Her latest Singapore, Angus & Robertson, involve her in their private lives, from when novel contains all her Readers' Feast, and Whitcoulls in New she’s a young child. She talks of her father trademark elements, though she sheds her Zealand; it accounts for around 20 per ‘including me in that way that I hated’ and recent male narrators to feature a cent of book sales in those markets. her mother wanting her ‘to confide in her cross-generational, deliberately all-female The REDgroup aren’t alone in finding as though we were sisters’. What appealed to cast of characters, in what appears a nod current trading conditions tough – you about exploring a character in that situ- to the classic 1939 film The Women. And most who’ve had long experience of ation? How does that affect Gilly’s actions? from its epigraph – a snatch of dialogue bookselling say it’s unprecedented. between Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, to Your young narrator, Gilly, I didn’t want any obvious abuse because Scribe’s Henry Rosenbloom told me its last words (‘FADE TO BLACK’), this abandons her newborn often the things that cause harm in child- recently that he’d never felt so stressed story is steeped in homage to the baby to flee with her hood can be so much more subtle than or distressed about the industry. boyfriend to the desert, for that. Children pick up on so much about whip-smart ‘battle of the sexes’ comedies reasons we take a long time adult relationships before they have the of the 1930s. Given the industry’s state, it’s unlikely that the administrators will be able to to understand. Maternal language to articulate what they’re seeing. When Mia’s brilliant but inept neuro- turn the group around or find buyers for abandonment – and It makes them very vulnerable. In Gilly’s scientist husband asks for a ‘pause’ in the businesses, so we may see closures maternal ambivalence case, being manipulated into a kind of their 30-year marriage so he can pursue of scores of bookshops across Australia – are such taboo subjects. What drew you to participation means that her loyalties an attraction to a colleague, she literally and New Zealand. Although other explore them? have to be divided and that although goes mad. Following brief incarceration sectors are hoping they’ll be able to pick It was a combination of things. Mother- her participation is demanded, she has in an asylum, she flees to spend the sum- up some of the REDgroup’s business, hood is rarely as straightforward as the no control. Being the only child means mer in her native Minnesota, renting a it’s likely some of those sales will be myths make out, and I like the challenge there is no one else she can share this house near her ageing mother and teach- lost to the Australian book trade. For of writing about darker things. I like to experience with. It makes her particularly ing a poetry course to pubescent girls. many publishers – already losing sales ask, ‘What if?’ Women who leave their lonely, but also, eventually, capable of She befriends her back-fence neighbours to off-shore online retailers and other children are often demonised, and it’s so causing harm as a result of the damage – twentysomething Lola and her feisty competing media channels – this will much more interesting and illuminating she suffers. four-year-old, Flora – and her mother’s make life very difficult. to ask why. I knew when I started writing group of ‘formidable’ widower friends, Desert Fish that Gilly would leave her You do a disturbingly effective job of render- nicknamed ‘the Five Swans’. Some commentators (and the ing pregnancy and its aftermath strange, REDgroup’s owners, Pacific Equity baby behind and that it wouldn’t look Hustvedt deftly, inventively explores sinister and repulsive, reflecting Gilly’s Partners) have blamed the growth of off- like the sorts of abandonments you hear how these characters’ experiences reflect feelings about it. You describe breast milk shore internet retailers, with their double about on the news. I didn’t want her leav- universal truths for contemporary as ‘seeping like blood from a wound’ and competitive advantage (due to the strong ing her baby on a doorstep, or in a box, women. Mia is enriched by the relation- her body as ‘occupied’ even after birth, for Australian dollar and the fact that those or anything like that. I didn’t want her ac- ships with the women around her (par- instance. As a mother of two, what was it retailers can sell their products free of tions to be violent or hasty, and I wanted ticularly her mother), but also observes like to write about the business of child- GST). We may never know what the her motivations to be complex. how women can injure each other, as her bearing in this light? And was it difficult reasons are, and as an outside observer, class of new adolescents descend into ‘an I like the way you gradually let the reader in to write that tortured relationship Gilly has I’m sure that this was an important invisible undertow’ of too-familiar bully- on the full story of Gilly and Pete’s relation- with her baby? contributory factor, but ultimately, the ing and ostracism. She wonders, ‘If girls ship, interweaving their strangely sinister REDgroup should never have bought That was part of the reason I gave Gilly a banged each other over the head instead ride from the hospital to the desert with the Borders – it was a sick company that daughter – I have two sons – it gave me a of plotting nasty little games of sabotage, back-story of how Pete came to lodge with had a sick model. Once the REDgroup bit of distance. But birth is an incredibly would they suffer less?’ Gilly’s parents, and how they came together. visceral, sometimes even brutal experi- bought in, they needed to get margins We know things will not end well, but don’t ence. If you didn’t know what to expect, This subversion of niceness is central to up and reduce costs and inventory, and know how or why. How much work did it or if you were actively in denial, I imagine the novel, along with the different ways this led to silly decisions – among other take to get that balance between telling and it could be really disturbing. I remember suppressed anger, rebellion and com- things, they started to price most books teasing just right? being shocked by the experience of my petitiveness – all considered by science above the RRP. That enabled them It took ages! But it was so satisfying to get first birth, but I had no trouble bonding to be ‘male’ traits (as Mia brilliantly, to sell other books at half-price, but there in the end. In a way, finding Gilly’s with my baby. I knew nothing about him sarcastically outlines) – can emerge. For ultimately, I’m sure many book-lovers voice was the key; that, and settling on except that I had produced him, but I instance, one of the Swans finds release saw through that con. They rationalised the event that leads to Pete coming to loved him desperately nonetheless. I felt in embroidering ‘secret amusements’ – their staff, getting rid of experienced lodge with Gilly’s family. Once I knew damp all the time and I smelled differ- craftworks seemingly ‘Happy-Wappy’ but people and bringing on retail buyers why he was there, whenever something ent and I couldn’t really see myself in secretly layered with ‘little scenes within whose only experience was how to screw happened I could remind myself of where the way that I had and I was surprised scenes’, such as women masturbating, suppliers. (Their non-fiction buyer had it had begun, and what was motivating at how my body didn’t feel like it was or flying naked. The conventions of art, been a wine buyer for Tesco’s, for god’s Gilly, her mother and her father. When straightforwardly mine any more. When I and of storytelling itself, are on show sake!) As the impact of the GFC hit, I began writing Desert Fish, I knew only was writing Desert Fish, I re-visited those here. On many levels, she looks at the they desperately tried to find other ways one of the really important things that memories and asked, ‘What if?’ I was in way we create the stories of our own of stopping the haemorrhaging of sales would happen at the end, but I didn’t a happy stable relationship when I had lives – the way that shifting perspectives and introduced cookware to their stores know how it was going to come about my little boy, but what if I hadn’t been? I alter the story, the difficulty of arriving – they put it right up the front of the and so I had to get to know the characters went to classes with my partner, I made at a shared ‘truth’ – as well as the way we Borders in Carlton, so it didn’t look like in order to work it all out. I’d have Pete friends who were also pregnant, I read read stories. a bookshop anymore. saying or doing something, and then I’d lots of books about what would happen At the novel’s heart, though, is a com- Personally, I don’t think Borders should think, no, that’s not right. to my body, and I was still surprised. plex romance, a story that ‘begins deep ever have come to Australia; it was a What if I’d been only 17? What if I had in marriage, after years of sex and talk ‘You’d think it would be difficult, the not ruthless, tasteless and arrogant display no idea what to expect and then found and fights’. It’s deeply imperfect – and looking, the deliberately not seeing what’s of cultural and commercial imperialism. myself on the other side of a difficult deeply unfashionable. Mia’s fierce con- right there in front of you,’ Gilly says. How Like Starbucks who followed them, they birth, longing for the father of my baby nection to Boris, she admits, is made of important is this idea to the book, and to were useless and brought nothing to our to show himself, and feeling like I was in both good aspects and bad – but, most these characters? communities. But the real tragedy is that a body that wasn’t mine any more. Then binding and irresistible of all, is the story Borders’ ill-conceived invasion, continued Very important. The line you quote above all those things that are supposed to be they have written together. Hustvedt by the venality of Pacific Equity Partners came to me just as I was falling asleep normal after a birth might feel strange writes that the difference between and their REDgroup, has probably one night and I had to get up and write and wrong. When I wrote Desert Fish, comedy and tragedy is in the structure. led to the demise of three venerable it down. Lying is central to Gilly’s most I reminded myself about that shocked ‘A comedy depends on stopping the Australian and New Zealand commercial important relationships and she’s learned feeling I had after the first time I gave moment at exactly the right moment.’ institutions – Angus & Robertson, to play along with these lies very early birth. Writing Gilly’s experience was like I won’t give away the ending, but I will Readers Feast and Whitcoulls – and on, before she could even articulate what pushing a wedge into that tiny fissure and say that it stops at just the right mo- the losses of thousands of jobs. More truth might mean. It’s not surprising that forcing it open. ment, in just the right way. importantly perhaps, it was the Angus & this practiced pretence is what she comes A longer version of this interview is Robertson shops that took books to the to expect when she tries to form relation- at www.readings.com.au. Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly shopping centres and regional Australia. ships outside of her family. This is why Who will do that now? 6 Readings Monthly March 2011 New Fiction we start to understand the true reason for Australian Frank’s pilgrimage home. This Too Shall Pass This is a novel that builds slowly and works S.J. Finn its way under your skin. It’s cleverly paced and the suspense runs through it like a bab- Sleepers. PB. $27.95. ebook $13.95 bling creek. Mills’s secondary characters are S.J. Finn’s debut novel flawlessly drawn, providing plot twists and focuses on a woman at times, light and humour, all without over- experiencing massive change shadowing our desperate hero. For me, the in both her home and work biggest triumph is the portrayal of the bleak life. It’s a timely exploration surroundings. The outback towns breathe a Whether you want to reduce your carbon In a voice that is delicately wrought and of the roles women play in life of their own, fuelling the novel’s sense of footprint, save money, become more self- beautifully tender, Hisham Matar asks, in his each domain, and how paranoia and dread. This is a satisfying novel sufficient or just enjoy the unique taste of extraordinary new novel, when a loved one motherhood impacts on that examines one of life’s biggest journeys: fresh produce, there has never been a better disappears how does their absence shape the identity and career. At age 33, Jen Mont- time to create a kitchen garden. lives of those who are left? what it means to go home. gomery tires of being called ‘Jen’ (she finds Steph Little is a freelance reviewer it generic and notes that there are four Jens in her workplace) and abbreviates her Blue Skies surname, to be identified as ‘Monty’. Monty also acknowledges her sexual Helen Hodgman attraction to women and soon enters a Text. PB. $29.95. ebook $19.95 long-term relationship with Renny, leaving This eerie, entertaining tale her marriage of 14 years. More change is of suburban dissatisfaction inevitable, including a change in the in Tasmania (first published relationship between Monty and her 1976) is the latest neglected six-year-old son Marcus, who remains with Australian classic to be his father. revived and championed by Text, following on from As Monty is given increased responsibil- their successful rescue of ity at her social work job, her control over Madeleine St John from relative obscurity. her personal relationships seems to wane. Danielle Wood, in the new introduction, Monty describes herself as ‘a doer’ (as op- calls it ‘a confronting snapshot of the Recruited as a gladiator, young Marcus Specky has been selected to represent posed to being prone to ‘inertia’), however social aridity of suburbia, the experience of Cornelius Primus faces a new life of brutal Australia in International Rules. But this trip at times I willed her to take greater control marriage and motherhood, and life on the training. But with his father murdered and to Ireland is no holiday and Specky will have over the relationships with her ex-husband “heart-shaped island” south of the main- his mother forced into slavery Marcus to dig deep to face the biggest challenge of Dave, her son (from whom she seems land’. Other fans include Julian Barnes, Au- is determined to seek justice. his life! estranged), and her rather bossy partner. beron Waugh, Eva Hornung and Nicholas The author does a wonderful job of describ- Shakespeare. ing the workplace, though, and Monty’s difficult interactions with colleagues with widely varying personalities and value sys- penguin.com.au tems. This Too Shall Passexplores a period in Monty’s life where she is forced to rede- International fine herself. The novel also examines social Bright and issues such as the impact of management Distant Shores techniques and political expectations on Dominic Smith Great Autumn Reads non-profit organisations, and both institu- A&U. PB. $29.99 tional and personal discrimination. Amid the personal obsessions from Text Publishing with reputation and legacy The novel is written very simply in the in 1897 Chicago, Owen first-person, and combined with its brevity, Graves is determined to this makes it read more like a young adult make something of his life. The return of a lost Australian classic: a darkly novel to me. Perhaps this is appropriate, as He accepts the offer of comic masterpiece about a young mother Monty describes herself as having ‘a lot ... insurance tycoon, Hale trapped in suburbia. of the eternal adolescent in me’. This is a Gray, to sail to the South brave novel that will be enjoyed by read- Sea islands and retrieve artefacts and ‘Strange and memorable.’ EvA Hornung ers interested in the fall-out when nuclear natives, for an exhibition on the rooftop of families shatter. ‘A joy to read.’ the times Gray’s newly-built skyscraper. Graves sees Annie Condon is a writer and convenor his potential for a way up in the form of a of a Readings Australian Book Club lump sum with bonuses.

Gone So begins Dominic Smith’s Bright and Jennifer Mills Distant Shores. Full of optimism, Graves’s UQP. PB. Normally $29.95 hopefulness for the sea journey increases Our special price $24.95 with his engagement to Adelaide, the girl of A superb debut about feeling old when you’re his dreams. This vision of his future is young and acting young when you’re not. Following his release from a Sydney prison, Frank catches tempered though, by the billionaire’s son, ‘Sexy, smart and brutally funny.’ a train heading south. He has Jethro, who Graves is contracted to take along and ensure he makes it back in one BEnjAmin LAw nothing: no cash, no supplies and no identity. He’s going piece. This fin de siècle story with architec- ture, fashion, the arts and society all ‘refreshing and surprising.’ KriSSy KnEEn out west to the home he hasn’t seen for 15 years and competing for air in the bustle of Chicago, he will get there the only way crosses many ‘bright and distant shores’. his means will allow: hitchhiking. With the islanders negotiating and bargain- ing, and knowing full well how destructive And so begins Frank’s desolate journey. Ev- a visit from the ‘ghosts’ can be, Smith man- ery day he wakes with nothing and relies on ages to show us the decimation of islander Author tour the kindness of strangers to get him to the cultures by trading and religion, but with A genius storyteller recounts of Australia next town and, if he’s lucky, to buy him a complications and ambivalences. The the moving and absurd antics of in March burger at a roadhouse cafe. The conversation ensemble of characters includes white men people forced to live under an becomes a ritual: Where’ve you come from? who have been ruined by trading and inhumane regime. Where’re you heading? His travel companions religion, especially in Chicago itself. are curious and grateful for a bit of friendly ‘one of China’s greatest living authors and chatter. But Frank remains guarded and Bright and Distant Shores is an incredibly well-researched story about culture and fiercest satirists.’Guardian alert, constantly reminded of the unforgiving outback landscape and feeling plagued by progress, both personal and social, and the whispers of ‘backpacker murderers’ out lovers of historical fiction will enjoy the on the open road. Then we start to realise detail, the language and Smith’s fresh that Frank is plagued by his own secret. perspective. textpublishing.com.au A terrifying incident from his boyhood Pip Newling is from Readings Port Melbourne resurfaces through a series of flashbacks and Readings Monthly March 2011 7 One Foot in Eden and for Nuri: ‘In one dream I am sitting on Ron Rash a bench, knowing he will come.’ Q&A with S.J. Finn Text. PB. $29.95. ebook $19.95 Julia Jackson is from Readings Carlton Q&A with You might hear this book Jo Case talks to S.J. Finn about her debut When the Killing’s novel, This Too Shall Pass (Sleepers, PB, described as a simple murder Jennifer Mills mystery – and for the first Done $27.95, ebook $13.95). T.C. Boyle Jo Case talks to Jennifer Mills about her chapter, you’d be right. debut novel, Gone (UQP, PB, Normally Bloomsbury. PB. $32.99 This novel is so firmly However, to the people $29.95, Our special price $24.95). rooted in Melbourne involved, there’s nothing T.C. Boyle’s thirteenth novel and surrounds, with simple about this murder. returns to the politics of his You’ve said, ‘My life has your descriptions of Ron Rash tells the story of earlier works, such as the been research for this judgemental hippie rural Holland Winchester, a small-town local masterful The Tortilla Curtain novel’ (though it’s in no towns, disengaged urban layabout just returned from the Korean (1995). When the Killing’s way veiled autobiogra- commuters, and details War. When he disappears, his mother casts Done, inspired by true phy). How have aspects of like St Kilda’s date palms, suspicion on their neighbours, Billy and events, looks at the conflict your lived experience fed trams and cafes. How important is Amy Holcombe, insisting that Holland had between animal rights into and inspired the place to this novel? been sleeping with the wife. But without a activists and preservationists on California’s book? Place has been central to me as a writer – body, the sheriff can’t charge anyone with Channel Islands, off Santa Barbara (where murder. Boyle lives). The action revolves around a I have been a no-budget traveller in many perhaps before anything else. It could be parts of Australia and the world, and because I find it more straightforward to plan to rid uninhabited Anacapa Island of its Told from five points of view – the sheriff teeming rat population to make room for hitched rides with a lot of people over put on paper. But there’s also no doubt it and his bloodhound attitude, the wife with the last 15 years. Some of them have helps me to envisage a scene. In This Too the island’s native ground-nesting birds – her guilty secret, the husband and his pride, followed by a second, more high-stakes formed the basis for characters in Gone. Shall Pass, place is a reality, sometimes the son and his yearning and finally the Hitchhiking is getting harder, but it’s still harsh and sometimes not. Descriptions of campaign to rid neighbouring Santa Cruz of deputy and his ignorance – Rash builds a its feral pigs. a great way to meet people and collect it are, of course, guided by the narrator’s complete community, bound together by stories. I’ve also been homeless for periods mood, her thoughts; it’s seen through her more than just the land and the times. Each The characters at the heart of the conflict are and that definitely informed the writing eyes, so to speak. chapter opens another leaf of the mystery, notorious environmental activists Dave La- of this book. and humanises each character, not allowing Joy and Anise Reed, and Alma Boyd Takesue Your narrator is often unsympathetic their thoughts to be held back in any way, of the National Park Service. Dreadlocked, Frank ‘wonders if murder and suicide and (for example, in the way she conducts her but allowing us to see them as they perceive eternally angry, Dave is in fact the wealthy scars just come up like this all the time, in extra-marital affairs before she leaves her themselves and the world around them. owner of a yacht, a BMW, and a chain of everyone’s conversation, or if it’s a high- husband, who she admits is basically a electronics stores – driven not by a love of way thing’. He encounters families with nice guy). Early readers Steven Amsterdam Rash gives us a snapshot into what it feels animals so much as a fierce preference for murdered loved ones, missing people, a drug and Carmel Bird have used the word like to be forgotten in the world, or left by them over humans. (One especially loath- runner. Yet he also encounters extraordinary ‘uncompromising’ to describe the book. Did the sidelines. Set in a landscape full of ‘dog some and amusing scene shows Dave’s lack kindness. Did you deliberately thread this it require bravery to make your central days’, drought, pain and farming, in the un- of self-awareness, as he boorishly orders and contrasting experience of human nature character so morally complex? Do you think certain times of the 1950s, the prose mean- rejects a series of luxury wines on a first through his travels? the complexity of her behaviour reflects the ders just like the country roads it describes, date.) His folk-singer girlfriend Anise has way life often unfolds, particularly in times with every harsh aspect given its rightful Because Frank is such a reserved char- her own motivations, too – she grew up on a acter, he needed to encounter a range of of crisis? place. Nods to the past and future allow sheep ranch on Santa Cruz island, protecting this world to cover more than a moment in other people for the reader to get a sense I guess when you present a young woman lambs from wild predators, and was rudely of who he really was. The whole jour- being driven by physical wants and de- time, and remind us that some things never transplanted to the mainland as a teenager. change: crime, punishment, sadness and the ney is a kind of test for Frank as he tries sires, it is kind of brave. Men are expected Even Alma, by far the most sympathetic out his few survival skills in the outside to behave in this manner more often things we do for those we love. of the trio, has hidden motives: her grand- Kate Rockstrom is from Readings Carlton world. When you are down on your luck than women, even when there’s a strong mother (pregnant with her mother) was sometimes accepting generosity can be imperative to remain loyal to the family. once the sole survivor of a shipwreck on more painful than accepting meanness. I would also hazard a guess that for both ANATOMY OF A Anacapa, where she had to share food and genders, disarray means normal limits of DISAPPEARANCE shelter with rats until rescue arrived. In my experience, everyone likes to talk behaviour crumble and people often do Hisham Matar about their ‘deep’ stuff on the road – things they wouldn’t if their life was in Viking. PB. $32.95 Boyle is a terrific storyteller, weaving his there is a real confessional quality to the a more settled phase. Even when people For those who are sitting ideas cleverly into his eventful narrative encounter of hitchhiking. You can catch know some things aren’t ‘right’ they con- reading this, thinking, (laced with dark wit) and intricately setting people at a turning point in their lives tinue to do them as if it’s beyond them ‘Matar, yes ... now why do I up the multi-layered entanglements between driving long distances. A lot of people to stop, which, I believe, sometimes it is. know that name?’, I’m happy his characters. A thought-provoking end up in the Territory and in the desert Something has to change and sometimes, to give an answer. Back in novel that delves into the complexities of because of the mistakes they have made, certainly not consciously, we don’t know 2006, Matar authored a environmental politics, without making looking for forgiveness maybe. The book what that something is until our actions superb debut novel, In the definite conclusions. as a whole is a way to engage with the force it to emerge. Country of Men, which was Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly prevalence of violence and harm in all our duly shortlisted for the Booker prize that histories, to look at how we remember. Sexual and gender politics, as well as the year. Amid a field of big-hitting female Dream of Ding Village This is a highly suspenseful novel. The reader more general politics of government privati- writers such as Kate Grenville, Sarah Waters, Yan Lianke is accompanied by a sense of dread as they sation of public health services (as it affects M.J. Hyland and Kiran Desai (the eventual Text. PB. $32.95. ebook $19.95 read – about what Frank has done, and Jen’s workplace), are central to the novel. winner, with Inheritance of Loss), Matar was Based on the recent history of what he might do. We have slivers of infor- Do you see yourself as a political writer? fêted as ‘the outside chance’ with his Henan Province in central mation about his past (he’s been in jail, he’s nuanced tale of enduring love and relation- China, Yan Lianke’s fifth I’m so glad you asked me this question. haunted by something terrible that happened ships, set against a backdrop of political novel – the third to be Politics is indeed central, in my view, to in his remote childhood home) and access this novel. Perhaps strangely, after having repression and activism. banned in his home country – charts the gradual decline flashes of disturbing thoughts in the present, said that, I don’t see myself as a political Drawing heavily upon personal experience though he’s mostly a sympathetic character. writer. What I do think is that politics and death of a rural commu- for this novel, as with his previous offering, nity in the wake of corruption How did you create this atmosphere, and is embedded in everyday scenarios and Matar crafts a firstly idyllic (though sad), how important was it to keep the reader experiences. I’d go so far as to say that and official neglect. When the Communist then haunting and poignant tale of regret Party’s local cadre asks the people of Ding guessing and piecing the story together? being a woman is political. Who we love and loss. The closeness between Nuri and his is certainly political and how our institu- Village to sell their blood, the community The story is necessarily built up piece by father Kamal begins to crack with the death enjoys an unprecedented level of prosperity, piece as he travels. If you read carefully, tions conduct their business – there can of Nuri’s mother and the introduction of the be no doubt – is definitely political. and the villagers use their newfound wealth to you can see the narrative as a puzzle beautiful Mona. When Kamal, a prominent acquire all the accoutrements of Western which fits together over time, and read Politics is just not always obvious political activist, suddenly disappears, the amongst the hurly burly of our lives. lifestyles. The profiteer, Ding Hui, gradually Frank’s story as being made up of the last vestiges of that closeness are shattered, corners the blood market and buys status and fragments of others. The tension partly Jen describes several handy attributes for leaving both Nuri and Mona at a loss, favour within the Party, despite the trepida- derives from Frank’s risk in going to face a social worker at the beginning of the emotionally ragged. Even Nuri’s connection tions of his schoolteacher father; Ding has his past, and partly from his sense of pur- novel: listening, basic compassion, curiosity, (or fascination) with Mona – at first warm been re-using needles to improve his margins, suit. But as well as this, his history-myth is patience, lack of expectation. It seems these – is irreparably damaged with his father’s and slowly the people of Ding Village very fragile. Coming of age in the Howard skills would also ideally suit the writing absence. Here, Matar cleverly alters his style, succumb to AIDS. Told through the eyes of years, and living in the Centre, most of process. What do you think? clipping his sentences and tone to convey Ding’s murdered son, the story follows Ding’s what I write is in some way about memory the sense of anxiety and distress. Curiosity, absolutely, plus basic compas- efforts to wash his hands of the situation, and justice. I wanted readers to be so close sion; those two are a must for a writer, In 1990 Matar’s own father, a critic of hoarding aid intended for the stricken to Frank that they would feel complicit in I think. The others, well, I’d say they’d Libya’s infamous dictator Colonel Gaddafi, community and rationing it to his neighbours his story. It was hard at times to go there. I come in more than handy. Lack of expec- was kidnapped in Cairo by Egyptian service at a profit, while presenting his misdeeds as remember when I sent the manuscript to tation is, in more general terms, helpful agents. In January 2010, shortly before noble charity. my publisher I apologised to her, saying it was ‘a bit creepy’ – I don’t think I intended just for getting through life, something finishing this novel, Matar reflected upon Yan’s novel joins a growing list of recent to write a psychological thriller! I’m still cultivating in myself. this experience in a Guardian article. With films and literature (Jia Zhangke’s Still Life, that knowledge, the reader can see the young Chen Guanzong’s China 2013) criticising An extended version of this interview is An extended version of this interview Matar in his protagonist, and can sense the the foundations of China’s economic ascen- available at www.readings.com.au. is available at www.readings.com.au. author’s own hope for resolution for himself dancy – in this case the economic reforms 8 Readings Monthly March 2011 of Deng Xiaoping and the corruption that One of Our Thursdays has in turn flourished under regional Party is Missing: THURSDAY officials. What separates Yan from his con- NEXT, BOOK SIX Poetry (Vintage ) classic temporaries is the incisiveness and breadth Jasper Fforde Morning Knowledge of his scope, rightfully earning plaudits Kevin Hart Hodder Headline. PB. Normally $32.99 of the month which compare Ding Village to Orwell at University of Notre Dame Press. PB. $25.95 Local author Jon Bauer kicks off our new his finest. With amazing elegance and brev- Our special price $27.95 The sixth instalment in the Spiritual yet visceral, learned monthly feature, where we’ll revisit a ity, he reveals the glaring void at the heart yet passionate, Australian favourite title in the Vintage Classics of the country’s new consumer culture, the surreal adventures of literary detective Thursday Next. poet Kevin Hart’s work series – all just $12.95 each. Enjoy! petty mendacity with which it turns family occupies a special place in the members against each other, and the way With the advent of the The End of ereader, and all-out genre war libraries of poetry readers in which China’s entire political edifice has throughout the world. the Affair rendered itself both deaf to the human cost in the Great Library, the Bookworld is in turmoil – Lauded by Harold Bloom Graeme Greene of its actions and invulnerable to popular and Charles Simic, his poems Vintage Classics. PB. $12.95 resentment. Lianke has resurrected the lost and needs Thursday. But with the real Thursday Next missing, there’s have been described as likely to outlive those You’ll know what it’s like art of literary satire, at its tragic best. of most of his contemporaries. That’s to experience something Sean Gleeson is a freelance reviewer only one left, the written Thursday, who must prove herself once and for all … because Hart’s is poetry as meditation. as a younger person: a Behind his images reside senses that seem to film, a book, a place, and Angelica be encountering the world anew. then to long remember it Arthur Phillips The Cookbook Shrouded in hope, Morning Knowledge sees as wonderful. Perfect, Scribe. PB. $29.95. ebook $17.99 Collector Hart mourning his father’s death while car- perhaps. You hold its Things are amiss in the Allegra Goodman rying on a decades-long project of distilling lofty status sacrosanct for Barton household. The Atlantic. PB. $29.99 matters of the spirit and heart into rich and years, only to venture back into such a ordinary trials of family-mak- Jane Austen fans – and any contemplative poetry. A book in six sections, film or book and find that with the ing have wrung all that was readers who enjoy a good it comprises mainly single-page poems bro- passing of time or the added layers of good from Joseph and literary romance – will love ken into rhythmic quatrains. In the hands of sophistication (snobbery) in you, it has Constance’s marriage. this delicious contemporary a lesser poet, this consistency could have put rotted behind your back. spin on Sense and Sensibility, Nightly, his motions to the reader to sleep, but Hart uses stylistic So it was with some trepidation that I by a US National Book tenderness are rebuffed, while, constraint and repetitive imagery to build read The End of the Affair again, a book I’d Award finalist. Sisters Emily to her distress, she finds more of her father in a symphony of emotional resonance. Many always cited when asked that impossible (pragmatic CEO of an her stolid husband with each passing day. poems have the same title and many contain question: What’s your favourite book? internet start-up) and Jess (hopelessly Worse, their daughter Angelica, after at last the same motifs, including ‘Dark One’ (an (A little like being asked what your romantic antiquarian bookshop employee) being displaced from the conjugal bedroom at image for God that places Hart in the com- favourite country is. I just like travelling, live in pre-9/11 New York, just as the the ripe age of four, cries out in terror in the pany of the great mystics), cats, summer, rats don’t make me choose one!) But re-read it dot-com bubble is about to burst. Both sisters morning’s small hours, telling of unearthly and darkness. For this reviewer, the cumula- I did, and found that I still love this novel are romantically challenged – Emily’s fiancé, torments. Yet what Joseph dismisses as a tive effect was a deepening and refraction with goosepimply gusto. mollycoddled child’s brays for attention, Jonathan, is decidedly slippery, and Jess’s of the images, until they spoke a fresh kind Constance soon finds cause to believe. And activist boyfriend no competition, surely, for of truth: ‘Let’s each be keyhole to the big We all read for different parts of the same so, impelled by maternal love, she resolves to her boss George, a wealthy former Microsoft wild world/And see each other’s darkness in reasons. If you read for prose, for instance, defy her disbelieving spouse and take it upon employee who is both irritated and besotted full light/Let’s try to feel the face of this our you’ll love The End of the Affair. Frequently herself to protect her beloved Angelica – no by her flaky charm. This is no shallow house/And taste its summer evenings on our I shuddered, the language sending me matter how grave the cost. by-numbers love story though – it’s rich with tongues.’ (from ‘The New House’) staring away from the page, looking and explorations of the temporary nature of Morning Knowledge is Kevin Hart at his feeling like I’d been bonked on the head. Angelica Ostensibly, seems a pastiche of modern life, the sisters’ journey back to their peak, alive with deeply lived experience and Greene’s writing in this book is, well, the Victorian ghost story – and, for its religion, fierce dot-com office politics and the persistent joy. Like the finest wine, readers stunning. And the characterisation so first third, it’s just that. Arthur Phillips has fall-out of the looming 9/11 attack. will savour it now, safe in the knowledge that believable, by virtue perhaps of how brave, an uncanny knack for the genre’s narra- it will age wonderfully. harsh, and cold it is. Perspicacious, too. tive rhythms and ornate vocabulary (‘It is the Art and Craft of feculent and sets the skin quite to creeping,’ Paul Mitchell’s latest poetry collection is If you read more for narrative though, exemplifies the plainest of his prose), as well Approaching Your Awake Despite the Hour (Five Islands Press, you’ll also love this book. Greene’s only as a keen familiarity with the stifling social Head of Department PB, $21.95) novel in the first-person, we hear almost mores and prevailing attitudes of the day. to Submit a Request entirely from Bendrix who, through a Comparisons to Henry James’s The Turn of for a Raise chance encounter, is thrust back into the Screw have already abounded, and it’s a Georges Perec memories of a long, passionate, but compliment Phillips deserves. Yet Angelica abruptly ended affair with Sarah. It’s Vintage. PB. $27.95 Journals Sarah’s limp husband, Henry, that Bendrix is more than just a thoroughly convinc- This witty French classic, Meanjin Volume 70, ing homage. Phillips presents its murky runs into – Henry confessing he fears published in English for the Number 1 Sarah is straying. We can barely watch nor events from four characters’ standpoints, first time, has been compared Sophie Cunningham (ed.) each typically effacing core testimonies of look away as Bendrix, ostensibly for Hen- to The Office and Woody MUP. PB. $24.99 ry, hires a private investigator to follow the last. It’s soon obvious that supernatural Allen – and it was published The last Meanjin to come out intrigue will give way to the lush furnish- Sarah. Thus reigniting Bendrix’s hateful in 1968, well before either of under Sophie Cunningham’s yearning as he moves between remember- ing of fragile psyches, and Phillips proves them came to prominence. editorship, this is one issue to a deep sensitivity to the quiet anguish and ing the affair and jealously pursuing details This is a wonderfully make sure you don’t miss. of his ‘replacement’. emotional vagaries which plague the iso- neurotic account of an office employee Highlights include Kate lated and misunderstood. summoning up the courage to ask for a raise, Holden on the relationship If, however, you read for the insights madly running through all the niceties and between sex work and another’s struggle can shed on your own, If mishandled, Angelica might have arrived this book is for you too. Closely aligned to deader than the spectres which may or may conundrums of office politics as he does. A feminism, Mischa Merz on sharply relevant look at the world of the her late-blooming boxing career, Mandy Brett Greene’s ‘famous’ affair with Lady Cath- not beleaguer its titular tot. But Phillips nails erine Woolston (a lot like Sarah), the work it. In fact, I’m worried it has, at this early average office worker, with a strong shot of on fiction editing and Duncan Reid on pessimism and a healthy dash of humour. whether Bernhard Schlink should feel guilty. itself is dedicated to a ‘C’. I mention this juncture, already spoiled me for fiction this because it validates for me why this novel year – it’s that good. feels so extraordinarily authentic. The End Gerard Elson is from Readings St Kilda of the Affairis a wonderful book on faith in all its forms; a book about the gossamer The Report distance between love and hate; a book Jessica Francis Kane about the pointless convolutions of desire, Portobello. PB. $27.99 The latest masterpiece from leading us up the garden path to nowhere. This absorbing and accom- the unstoppable T.C. Boyle A book that unveils the intense bottleneck plished first novel re-imag- of what it is to be human: impassioned, ines a real-life civilian disaster Anacapa Island is overrun with rats confused, afraid, alive, and yet facing the during World War II, when a threatening the ancient population inevitable futility. crush on the stairs to an air-raid shelter in Bethnal of birds, and Alma Boyd heads up a Whenever I feel I have found truth in Green results in the deaths of campaign to exterminate them. But a novel, I always decide I’ve found the nearly 200 people. Prompted writer. I decide that a story feels true for she is up against a group of notorious me because it was somehow true for the by the anger of the surrounding community, animal rights activists. Darkly funny, a magistrate is appointed to open an inquiry writer. But sitting back sated from reading and write a report – but as he gathers this blistering novel is a sweeping epic of Greene, I felt that perhaps it was he who information, the truth grows murkier. family, ecology and the right to life – had so adroitly found me. But I also redis- covered the ‘me’ that first read this vintage Decades later, a documentary-maker whose no matter what the fallout. family were among the dead interviews the great all those years ago. And he was right, magistrate, and the facts finally emerge. The you know. It’s still my favourite country. Report has been much talked-about in the OUT NOW Jon Bauer is the author of Rocks in the US already – it promises to be the debut of a Belly (Scribe, PB, Normally $32.95, major new writer. Our special price $27.95). Readings Monthly March 2011 9

New Crime Dead Write with Fiona Hardy For me, the whole point of reading is the makes his way to Mexico to find her. Despite Phuti Radiphuti, things start to go wrong boyfriend on the run – but forensic evidence wonderful sense of escapism it gives – when the quirky concept behind Quinn’s novels, when Precious has a prophetic dream that doesn’t back this up, and, along with other you can lose yourself entirely in these dif- he’s got a huge fan-base. Pick up one of the gives Mma Makutsi fear that her own worst families of girls who suffered the same fate, ferent worlds that authors can offer you. Chet and Bernie Mysteries and you’ll discover nightmares will come true. Precious must the family is now broke. While religion is Armchair crime travelling is the safest way to that he’s one hell of an entertaining writer. solve a case where cattle are being poisoned at the front of everyone’s minds, there are get involved in the beauty and terror of other out of jealousy – and on a much larger scale, links to a local gangster, and there is much places, and March has really come through on Further north in Canada, the awful Violet Sephotho is campaigning for more to this deeply atmospheric novel than this, with a slew of international releases. If Andrew Pyper elevates a parliament, threatening both the wedding meets the eye. you have a favourite or longed-after coun- common crime story to a cut and the fate of Botswana itself. try, someone’s probably written a nice gory above in The Guardians Up the road in Greece, Jeffrey murder set there. (Orion, PB, $32.99). It has a Don Winslow managed to Siger’s An Aegean Prophecy familiar introductory plotline: land the enviable gig of (Little, Brown, PB, $19.99) Where else to start a round- four teenagers make a grave writing Satori (Headline, PB, sees another ever-so-slightly the-world crime trip than mistake, swear to keep a Normally $32.99, Our special faith-related death, as a America? When someone sets secret; yet it comes back to haunt them years price $27.95), the prequel to brilliant Greek Orthodox fire to a headless body behind later, after the death of one of the boys. the 1979 bestseller Shibumi monk meets his end at the the locked gates of a church, (Seriously, was I the only teenager who didn’t by Trevanian (the nom de start of Easter Week on the they’re clearly trying to send a get mixed up in murder in high school? The plume of Rodney William Island of Patmos, where John wrote the Book message. It’s up to District At- biggest crime I committed back then was Whitaker). A spy novel at a much more of Revelation. To find the murderer, Detec- torney Alex Cooper, author some furtive jaywalking.) But in Pyper’s meditative pace than Winslow’s previous tive Yianni Kouros and Chief Inspector Linda Fairstein’s protagonist, to figure out hands, the story becomes much more fast-paced thrillers, Satori introduces us to Andreas Kaldis (who leaves his pregnant what they’re actually trying to say in Silent compelling, with Ben’s suicide bringing the Nicholai Hel: brought up to respect the most girlfriend at home) travel to the beautiful Mercy (Little, Brown, PB, $32.99). As she men together, and narrator Trevor’s early- intimate details of Japanese culture, he is a Aegean peninsula of Mount Athos, the and her team struggle to find reason for the onset Parkinson’s casting a cloud over the brilliant martial artist, adept at multiple world’s oldest surviving monastic community act on New York City’s toughest streets, the story, his diary entries as a teenager there to languages, and someone who has been in jail and a place full of secrets on an enormous killer strikes again – in an equally horrific remind him of the events that changed for years, arrested for killing his mentor. scale. manner. It’s a gripping police procedural and everything. With a much more chilling story Reluctantly hired by the Americans after his Fairstein, a DA herself, clearly knows her than the next offering, it might be one to read release, he brushes up on his fighting, Back home in our land girt by sea, and for stuff. with a night-light. meditation and girl-charming skills, then is those more interested in true crime, James despatched to China to assassinate a Russian Morton and Susanna Lobez have written a To Fetch a Thief (Arena, PB, $23.99), the only Skipping over to Africa ... diplomat. The language is straightforward, new book on Australia’s biggest swindles, book on this list narrated by a dog, is the much to everyone’s delight, but the plotline – and the Go games Nicholai Kings of Stings (Victory, PB, $36.99). From third title in Spencer Quinn’s popular series. Alexander McCall Smith plays during the book – are anything but. literary con artists like Helen Demidenko, to Chet and his human companion, private continues his No. 1 Ladies’ those preying on people’s charitable instincts, investigator Bernie Little, add even more ani- Detective Agency series with Over in Turkey, Barbara Nadel has written this book will probably make you highly sus- mals to the mix when an elephant – Bernie’s outing number 12 for another Inspector Cetin Ikmen novel, Noble picious of just about everyone (ahem, except son Charlie’s favourite creature – goes missing Precious Ramotswe, The Killing (Headline, PB, $32.99). Touching for your friendly neighbourhood bookseller), from a nearby circus. With the police having Saturday Big Tent Wedding on some of the more sensitive issues in the but is undoubtedly fascinating, made all the no luck, they are hired by one of the circus Party (Little, Brown, HB, Normally $35, Our neighbourhood, a young woman is found more interesting by being so close to home clowns to track down Peanut and her trainer. special price $29.95). While there’s the happy burnt alive in her parents’ Istanbul apart- – though we should do our best to avoid Things get much more chaotic and dangerous possibility of a wedding on the horizon ment. On the surface, the crime appears to starring in the sequel. as they do, and the partnership splits as Chet between Mma Makutsi and her beloved be an honour killing – with the girl’s secret

Flock Why We Lie FUTURE BABBLE* BLACK GLASS* BY LYN HUGHES BY DOROTHY ROWE Dan Gardner Meg Mundell 9780732291853 9780007357970 Why do we insist on ‘Brooding, surreal RRP $32.99 RRP $24.99 asking experts to and unsettlingly make predictions? vulnerable, Black And why do we find Glass marks the They met on a train, fell Lies. In both our it so easy to ignore arrival of a striking in love, got married and public and private lives, the fact that they’re new voice. A brilliant usually wrong? debut.’ James Bradley lived happily ever after. they damage other Or not. A captivating people and destroy story of family, destiny, love … wmutual trust. They fragment our sense of and wallpaper. who we are, so … why do we lie? CONSUMER ANGELICA* REPUBLIC* Arthur Phillips Bruce Philp A taut, mesmerising Consumers have novel — both a far more power classic ghost story over corporations and a thoroughly than they think modern exploration — even the power of identity, memory, to render a brand and love. entirely worthless. A gripping dark love story you BEREFT* PRICELESS* will want to read Chris Womersley William ‘This is an out- Poundstone in one go. standing work of Bestselling author Australian fiction. William Poundstone ‘Has the wrench of real pathos and Read it next.’ Sydney reveals the hidden out-Atwoods Atwood.’ Guardian Morning Herald psychology of value.

Keep in touch with great book news www.scribepublications.com.au *Also available as eBooks www.randomhouse.com.au 10 Readings Monthly March 2011

Great new titles from Hachette New Non-fiction DESTINATION devastating grains of truth like ‘Suffer, Joyce. Ray was worth it’ – and details the intrica- Biography & cies of life after the death of a spouse, from READING needing infinite copies of the death certifi- Memoir cate, to the pharmaceutical assistance she The Hare with Amber tried to avoid, but was necessary to keep her Eyes: A Hidden from following him. Being so immersed in Inheritance her thoughts is an exhausting task for the Edmund De Waal reader, but her account of grief, by the last pages, is utterly worthwhile. Vintage. PB. Normally $24.95 Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton Our special price $19.95 The title describes one of the netsuke pieces in a collection Tiger, Tiger: A Memoir Margaux Fragoso THE Clan of THE CavE BEar belonging to the author’s family – a collection that is a Penguin. PB. $24.95 MaMMoTH HunTErs marker for the remarkable Tiger, Tiger is a well-crafted Plains of PassaGE family history that the book memoir that recounts the 15 vallEy of THE HorsEs traces, from Odessa to Vienna, years of Margaux Fragoso’s young life that were spent sHElTErs of sTonE Paris, Tunbridge Wells, America and Japan, over about 150 years. with Peter Curran. When Jean M Auel Fragoso’s Margaux meets Get ready. Read the book that started it all The story of the netsuke begins in the Paris Peter at the local pool in a and discover the series that captured the of the impressionists, with the cultivated district of New Jersey, she is hearts of millions. The sixth and final book Charles Ephrussi, youngest son of a family seven. He is 51. What follows is a disturbing in Jean M. Auel’s phenomenal Earth’s from Odessa, newly very wealthy from grain insight into the manipulative behaviours of a Children® is coming 29.03.11. exporting. A supporter and collector of the pedophile, from the perspective of the impressionists and things Japanese (hence the victim. It covers not only the prolonged netsuke), Charles became editor of the Ga- sexual abuse she suffered at his hands, but zette (a must-have art magazine of the period), the circumstances that allowed it to go on. and once had Marcel Proust as his secretary. As Edmund De Waal found himself im- To describe this as an uncomfortable read is a mersed in many literary side-trips, so does the huge understatement. Tiger, Tiger begins with Shannon Bennett, chef of reader: Proust is still on my ‘to read’ list, and a prologue explaining Margaux and Peter’s re- internationally renowned restaurant there is a new book on Berthe Morisot – an lationship – so from the beginning, the reader Vue de monde, takes you on a culinary artist Charles loved, whose work was among has no doubt what this story is about. Despite adventure to New York, the most his first purchases. De Waal builds a sense of the circumstances, and the inevitable damage exciting city in the world. the period through original texts and quotes, that Peter caused after all those years of abuse, Fragoso is able to capture Peter’s complexities, AVAILABLE MARCH and of what it was like to be a young, edu- cated and wealthy patron in such a fascinating with a level of maturity and a degree of emo- 13 ruE THErEsE environment. The netsuke move as a wedding tional distance that is astounding. The awful fact is that she loved him. However, bearing Elena Mauli Shapiro gift to another Ephrussi in Vienna – this part of the family are a bit more conservative – but witness to Peter’s predatory nature and Mar- As he settles into his new office in Paris, this is the Vienna of Robert Musil, Freud, gaux’s vulnerabilities is extremely difficult and an American academic discovers a box full Schnitzler, Joseph Roth, Klimt, Schiele and at times sickening. And although there are of century-old artefacts and finds himself valid reasons for telling this story, I wondered, falling in love with the woman who left the Wiener Werkstatte (wonderfully covered them behind. in Vienna 1900 and the Heroes of Modernism). as I read on to find out what happened next, whether at any point it became a voyeuristic For me, the heart of the book is the story of exercise. Fragoso hopes to expose the danger- this family, and the unique and important ous but charismatic nature of pedophiles, so perspectives entailed – from the Dreyfuss Af- that what happened to her can be avoided in fair to the horrors of World War II. The paral- the future. I hope that her story can make a lel story is of anti-Semitism and the strength difference. of individuals in the face of extreme adversity. Virginia Millen is an editor and freelance A moving and beautiful book. reviewer Margaret Snowdon is art and design buyer at Readings Carlton Starman: David Bowie Paul Trynka A Widow’s Story Little, Brown. PB. Normally $35 Joyce Carol Oates Our special price $29.95 THE Gordian KnoT Fourth Estate. PB. $35 The definitive biography of When author Joyce Carol one of rock-pop’s greatest Bernhard Schlink Oates’s husband, the editor icons, from his troubled A prize-winning Cold War spy novel from and publisher Raymond childhood to the decadent the author of international megaseller Smith, is taken to hospital The Reader. glamour of Ziggy Stardust, to with a fever, she expects a few his controversial Berlin days of ill health, then his period. Paul Trynka has return to gardening and interviewed over 200 friends, working alongside her. But ex-lovers and fellow musicians to create this Ray does not come back, and as Joyce is back intimate and revealing book. home, feeling glad he looked so well when she left him in the hospital last, he goes into Me, Myself and Angela Di Sciascio’s father can no cardiopulmonary arrest and leaves her, bereft Lord Byron longer describe his past, lost in a and alone, to cope with the fall-out. world ravaged by Alzheimer’s disease. Julietta Jameson Deciding not to let his story fade, A Widow’s Story begins with a stream-of- Murdoch. PB. Normally $34.95 Angela embarks on a voyage that consciousness writing style peppered with Our special price $29.95 takes her through four seasons in her meandering thoughts and a surfeit of Armed with a suitcase full of father’s Italy. exclamation marks and ellipses. It can be verse, journalist Julietta a struggle to read in the beginning, but by Jameson travels in the Bury your dEad AVAILABLE APRIL the end, as the initial visceral reaction to her footsteps of history’s first Louise Penny husband’s death begins to fade, it becomes a rock star, Lord Byron, as she As Quebec City shivers in the grip of clear and beautifully rendered story of their learns to live her life in truth, winter, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache past together, her present, and thoughts on as he did. This is a travel plunges into the most unusual case of his the new future before her. My whole opin- memoir with a difference, celebrated career. ion of the book changed by the time I put it tracing two journeys centuries apart – down, so immersed in Oates’s loss that I felt through the Alps, across Italy and over the the closest I have come in literary terms to Mediterranean. There’s the story of Byron feeling a raw loss of my own. himself (along with his insecurities, fears and regrets) and Julietta, a woman on a heartfelt Oates recounts letters and emails from the www.mup.com.au mission to claim her life. friends who helped her so much – with Readings Monthly March 2011 11 Not Dark Yet Flood years since Das Kapital was first published. The Resurrection David Walker Various He also looks at the spectacular reversal of of the Romanovs Giramondo. PB. $32.95 ABC Books. PB. $27.99 Marxism over the past 30 years, and what it Greg King & Penny Wilson might have to offer in the fall-out of the This inventive, deeply Coming after the devastating Wiley. HB. $44.95 recent GFC. The Guardian lauds evocative family memoir Victorian bushfires of 2009, Grand Duchess Anastasia ‘Hobsbawm’s trademark combination of promises to be among the the Queensland floods have Romanov’s mysterious fate lucid analysis and breathtaking range’ and local literary successes of been another horrific has inspired much research concludes that ‘nearly all historians look the year. Social historian reminder of nature’s power to and speculation. Although parochial in his company’. An important David Walker, faced with destroy. This poignant her parents and siblings book. his own descent into on-the-ground report of how – the Russian royal family blindness, decided to ward the disaster unfolded, how – were executed by revolu- off the encroaching darkness by recording the people of Queensland coped, and the Fire and Song tionaries in 1918, some his past, and that of his family – who he impact on the state’s towns and cities is Anna Lanyon researchers have contended that she escaped traces, with great insight and intimate drawn from the ABC’s comprehensive A&U. PB. $29.99 that fate. When Anna Anderson claimed to novelistic detail, through five generations. coverage of the disaster, with a foreword by A vivid, intimate story of be Anastasia, she added fuel to the debate The dark in the book – blindness, illness, Premier Anna Bligh. All proceeds go to the faith and ingenuity in the and sparked a cultural phenomenon. Greg anxiety and death – is leavened by Queensland Floods Appeal. face of totalitarian oppres- King and Penny Wilson, authors of The Walker’s humour and his delight in the sion, set during the Mexican Fate of the Romanovs, build a persuasive case everyday eccentricities he uncovers. Janette Inquisition of 1596. Jewish that challenges long-accepted evidence in Turner Hospital says, ‘Like all the best martyr Luis de Carvajal was the Anderson case. memoirs, this account has the narrative descended from those who curve of a novel and its sweep brings back History had fled the Spanish Jerusalem: In Bligh’s Hand: to life an era in all its domestic, cultural Inquisition to Portugal and the New World Surviving the Mutiny and political detail.’ The Biography – only to be caught up in it anew, as the Simon Sebag Montefiore on the Bounty Inquisition determined to root out heretics Jenny Gall Neon Angel Weidenfeld & Nicolson. HB. Normally $50 in its realms. Luis’s quest for true faith Our special price $39.95 unfolds a tense and moving narrative, as he National Library of Australia. PB. $34.95 Cherie Currie with Tony O’Neil When Fletcher Christian HarperCollins. PB. $22.95 Historian Simon Sebag and his family’s spirit and ingenuity are Montefiore is well creden- tested again and again. Locally-based and his mutineers usurped Cherie Currie, with her Captain Bligh on the signature Bowie haircut and tialed to write this sad yet historian Lanyon has been much praised for engrossing history of this previous works Malinche’s Conquest and The Bounty, Bligh and 18 of his fishnet stockings, was the supporters were set adrift. groundbreaking lead singer fascinating city. His ancestor, New World of Martin Cortés. English Zionist Sir Moses Their open boat was only of 70s teenage all-girl rock seven metres long, but band the Runaways (with Montefiore, was instrumental Paris Under Water in the return of a Jewish somehow they survived in it Joan Jett and Lita Ford on Jeffrey H. Jackson for 47 days, travelling 6700 kilometres. guitar, Jackie Fox on bass, community to the city in the mid-nine- Palgrave. PB. $24.95 teenth century. More incredibly, Bligh somehow found the and Sandy West on drums), headlining This is a topical book for time to jot things down in a water-stained shows with opening acts like the Ramones, The history of Jerusalem is steeped in blood many Australians – a notebook. Some of its most fascinating Van Halen, Cheap Trick and Blondie. On and violence; it was often petty and vicious. well-researched and obser- pages are reproduced here as the basis for the face of it, Currie’s is a riveting story of When the Catholic and Orthodox Easter vant analysis of a city Jenny Gall’s penetrating discussion of girl empowerment and fame. But it is also happened to fall on the same dates, Catho- dealing with a major flood. Bligh’s character and survival. an intensely personal account of her lics and Orthodox Christians fought at the In early 1910, the Seine struggles with drugs, sexual abuse and Holy Sepulchre over the right to celebrate swiftly rose 20 feet above its violence. Neon Angel exposes the side of mass first – over 40 people were killed. As a usual level, filling Paris’s the music industry fans never get to see. sacred site for Christians, Jews and Muslims, Métro system and turning major streets the right to hold power in the city has been into canals. Despite the city’s turbulent Cultural Studies bitterly fought over for centuries. It has history, for the most part its citizens Consumer Republic inspired greatness and folly. worked together, many displaying great Bruce Philp courage and generosity. The New York Times Scribe. PB. $32.95. ebook $18.99 TAustralianhe Many Worlds Studies of In the mid-nineteenth century, the city at- calls this ‘a tight, concentrated tale of Twenty-odd years ago, tracted American evangelists convinced that adversity and survival’. Naomi Klein made head- R.H. Matthews the second coming was nigh and it became lines and bestseller lists with Martin Thomas a magnet for an assortment of crackpots. The Yugo: The Rise No Logo, a then-revolution- A&U. PB. Normally $59.95 In the early twentieth century, it became and Fall of the Worst ary look at the power and Our special price $49.95 the symbol of the Jewish return to Pales- Car in History vulnerability of global This important – and tine – and that struggle to control Jerusalem brands that sparked the fascinating – book revisits continues to destabilise the region today. Jason Vuic Farrar, Straus and Giroux. PB. $22 consumer movement and the work of renowned Mark Rubbo is managing director of Readings put pressure on companies like Nike to nineteenth-century eth- One of Readings’ most popular hardbacks last year, improve their practices. Now, in Consumer nologist R.H. Matthews. Civilization: The West Republic, former ad-man Bruce Philp Matthews grew up with this will delight anyone and the Rest experiencing a bit of 1980s dismantles the simplistic predator–prey Aboriginal children as Niall Ferguson narrative behind the anti-brand movement, playmates, so he came to nostalgia. Jason Vuic reflects Allen Lane. HB. $49.95 with humour, wit and confronts us with our real role in the his subject with fond familiarity rather Niall Ferguson has been system, and inspires us to make every dollar than the freakshow interest that spurred so insight on the bizarre called ‘the most brilliant wheeling and dealing that we spend count – thus forcing corporations many anthropologists of the time, like British historian of his to cooperate in making our way of life Baldwin Spencer – who went out of his led to the Yugo’s importation from commu- generation’ (The Times). He’s nist Yugoslavia to Reagan’s America in sustainable. way to discredit Matthews’s work. Now, also a thoroughly enjoyable this relatively forgotten figure is emerging 1985. Although the affordable compact car writer and broadcaster – this sold well, it soon became the butt of Future Babble: WHY as one of our most important documenters book has been filmed as a EXPERT PREDICTIONS of Aboriginal language, legends and popular jokes that endure today. This is a series, shortly to air in the fascinating and entertaining look at the FAIL AND WHY WE mythology – so much so that his legacy of UK. Here, the author of The Ascent of work is being used by contemporary world’s most derided car, and its particular BELIEVE THEM ANYWAY Money looks at how the civilisation of moment in history. Dan Gardner Aboriginal people to rejuvenate their Western Europe rose to dominate the Scribe. PB. $35. ebook $18.99 culture. world, through six ‘killer applications’: Whispering City: Rome In these times of 24-hour competition, science, democracy, medicine, and its Histories news and global sharing of Wild About You!: consumerism and the work ethic. If the information and analysis, The Sixties Beat West has lost its monopoly on these six R.J.B. Bosworth more ‘expert’ opinions than Explosion in Australia things, are we living through the end of Yale University Press. HB. $45 ever are circulating, about Western ascendancy? All ancient European cities and New Zealand everything from extreme Iain McIntyre & Ian D. Marks are layered with history, but How to Change the perhaps none more so than weather events to the GFC. Verse Chorus Press. PB. $39.95 Rome. Aptly, Sigmund In this brilliant, accessible, The astonishing outpouring of rock’n’roll World: Tales of Marx Freud argued that the great often funny book, bestselling author Dan in 1960s Australia and New Zealand gave and Marxism Italian city must be under- Gardner (Risk) shows that experts are birth to iconic bands like the Easybeats, Eric Hobsbawm stood as ‘not a human ‘about as accurate as dart-throwing mon- the Masters Apprentices, and Billy Thorpe Little, Brown. HB. $49.95 dwelling place but a mental keys’ – and often, the more famous they and the Aztecs. It also launched the careers One of the world’s foremost entity’. UWA Professor R.J.B. Bosworth are, the more inaccurate. He looks at why of musicians from bands like the Bee Gees historians – and one who’s treats it in this way, astutely examining the we seek the comfort and guidance of and AC/DC. Includes chapters on 35 bands long worn his Marxist variety of meanings that various groups – ‘experts’, despite evidence showing their that made the scene, as well as the editors’ influences on his sleeve – the fascists, the Catholic Church, the first fallibility, drawing on current research in list of the top 100 beat and garage songs of takes a timely, deeply erudite Italian nationalists, and ‘ordinary’ citizens cognitive psychology, political science and the era. and impressively measured and tourists – have read into the city. behavioural economics. Original and look at the enduring influence fascinating. of Karl Marx in the 162 12 Readings Monthly March 2011 Virtually You The Hidden Reality the Middle East – and covering mains, sides, Elias Aboujaoude Brian Greene desserts, and even dips and drinks. Q&A with W.W. Norton. HB. $34.95 Knopf. HB. $41.95 Controversy over the An expansive and accessible Kevin Hart benefits of the internet has look at the relatively new involved passionate argu- idea that ours may not be Published poet Paul ments on both sides. From the only universe, taking in Gardening Mitchell, a former Kitchen Gardens the anti-internet camp, recent discoveries in the Readings Glenfern Fellow, of Australia Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows fields of physics and interviews Kevin Hart Kate Herd recently looked at how the cosmology. Brian Greene, about his latest collection, Lantern. HB. $49.95 internet seems to be eroding bestselling author of The Morning Knowledge (Univ. Kitchen gardens have never our capacity for concentration and in-depth Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the of Notre Dame, $25.95). been so popular – and for reflection. Now, Elias Aboujaoude analyses Cosmos, takes us through a range of good reason. They’re The title,Morning Knowledge, refers to the insidious consequences of developing ‘multiverse’ theories. These include a sustainable (environmentally grieving your father’s death and Augustine’s what he calls an ‘e-personality’. He crafts a multiverse in which you have an infinite and financially), self-sufficient thoughts about spiritual and natural light. convincing and disturbing argument that number of doppelgängers, each reading this and quite simply taste good. How do you see these themes coming together our identities are being altered for the sentence in a distant universe; and a Passionate designer and in your collection? worse with every Facebook ‘friend’ we multiverse comprising a vast ocean of green-gardener Kate Herd make. bubble universes, of which ours is but one. journeys around Australia, to 18 diverse I also cite Thoreau: ‘Have you knowledge This is both a far-reaching survey of of the morning?’ That is: Do you take kitchen gardens, from subtropical Queensland Planned Obsolescence cutting-edge physics and a remarkable to suburban Adelaide and countryside pleasure in life? It’s a question we should Kathleen Fitzpatrick journey to the very edge of reality. always ask ourselves. Augustine wonders Victoria. Accompanied by stunning photog- NYU Press. PB. $33.95 why Genesis says, ‘the evening and the raphy by Simon Griffiths, she profiles the What is the future of academic publishing in On Rare Birds morning were the first day’. Why evening garden and gardeners, with information on our world of rapidly developing publication Anita Albus first and morning second? He tells the how each garden came to be, along with technology? Kathleen Fitzpatrick takes on New South. HB. $44.95 beautiful story of how, during creation, practical, environmentally focused tips. this formidable subject with eloquence and Beautiful colour illustrations God first let the angels see the structure of enthusiasm. She’s not afraid to criticise the accompany this bittersweet reality, giving them ‘evening knowledge’, conservatism of academic institutions and look at birds on the verge of and then let them glimpse the ways in examine the way this obstructs their ability extinction, along with which he touches creation, and when they to adapt to publishing’s changing environ- several species that have saw this overwhelming divine love for cre- Essays ment. She’s also willing to put her money already vanished. Birds like The Beauty and ation, they gained ‘morning knowledge’, where her mouth is: this book evolved in a the passenger pigeon are no the Inferno and they fell down in adoration. My creative and appropriate way, with Fitzpat- longer with us, and hope- Roberto Saviano father died in the early hours of the day, rick making the manuscript available online fully the six rare birds that Anita Albus Maclehose. PB. Normally $35 and the news of his passing was ‘morning for open review. examines in depth – the hermit ibis, the Our special price $29.95 knowledge’ of a bitterly ironic kind. Yet I elusive corncrake, the Eurasian nightjar, the Roberto Saviano shot to wanted to affirm the pleasures of life, of barn owl, the northern hawk owl and the worldwide fame with his his life, the promise of morning, and the kingfisher – will not meet the same fate. audaciously brave, brilliantly richness of the mystery of existence. rendered exposé of the Italian The poems about your father’s death come Philosophy mafia,Gomorrah (also an later in the collection, yet the entire work has examined lives: From acclaimed film). And he’s paid the feeling of elegy, while remaining hopeful. Socrates to Nietzsche the price for stripping the James Miller There are elegies for my father, a lullaby SFoodhannon & Bennett’sWine mafia of its Hollywood/ Farrar, Straus & Giroux. HB. $35.95 for my stillborn sister, a lament over the televised glamour, revealing those involved as In the days before self-help New York Iraq war … But the book as a whole says banal, sociopathic thugs – he now lives under and mood medication, Shannon Bennett Yes to life, and Yes to that Yes. Love is as 24-hour watch. The essays in this collection philosophy was a fundamen- MUP. PB. Normally $45 strong as death. ‘Who needs the bees?’ cover a range of topics, but many of them are tal source of guidance on Our special price $39.95 I ask in one poem, ‘With you the sun concerned with his experience of life after how to live. In this enlight- Vue Du Monde chef makes honey in our mouths.’ Gomorrah. He meets with fellow fugitive ening collection, James Shannon Bennett conducts a writer Salman Rushdie in Stockholm, talks to You are considered an Australian poet, Miller gives us 12 short, (lavishly illustrated) personal the real-life Donnie Brasco (also living under and yet you were born in London, lived lively biographies of some of eating tour of the world’s a mafia death threat) and shares his frustra- there until you were 11, and have now our most noted philosophers (including most exciting culinary tions about the way his success has barred lived in the US for several years. How has Plato, Rousseau and Descartes), looking at destination. From pastrami him from doing what he does best – being a this international perspective informed your how their lives reflected their theories – and on rye at Katz’s to dining off reporter. An amazing man. work and in what way do you consider your how and where they fell short. ‘Conveys a Broadway, and a three-course poetry Australian? sense that the genuinely philosophical meal at The Four Seasons to roast duck in Quarterly Essay 41: examination of a life can still lead us Chinatown, Bennett reviews his favourite I live inside my poems, like a pip in a ripe restaurants, shares his lists of the best hotels The Good Life pear, taking little notice of what goes on somewhere radically different from other David Malouf kinds of reflection.’ – The New York Times and bars, and reveals where to find the tastiest in the world of poetry. I read poems all hot dogs, burgers and cocktails. Includes New Black Inc. PB. $19.95. ebook $9.95 the time, though I don’t do much to ‘keep York-inspired recipes, like Waldorf Salad and In the first Quarterly Essay up’ with American or British poetry. I Crab Cocktails. of the year, much-loved hear myself as Australian, as someone who and celebrated Australian comes after Ken Slessor, Judith Wright, Science Turkey: recipes and writer David Malouf Alec Hope, Frank Webb and David The Immortalization tales from the road examines one of the most Campbell … Commission: science Leanne Kitchen fundamental questions there is: what is it to live a Carl Jung said that when religion stops and the strange quest Murdoch. HB. Normally $69.99 good life? In considering contemplating the nature of animals then to cheat death Our special price $59.95 this question, Malouf returns to the classics, it will cease to be of use. You have never John Gray An evocative journey into the looks to Australian traditions and exam­ines stopped contemplating them in your poetry, Allen Lane. HB. $45 diverse cuisines and culinary the idea of the global citizen. This is an essay and this collection seems especially concerned This fascinating new book customs of regional Turkey, to savour and reflect upon. with cats … from political philosopher from spicy red lentil kofte And birds and butterflies! I think that John Gray has been roundly and slow-roasted lamb with every animal is a poem, and every good praised by critics, including pomegranate juice to rose poem is an animal: alive, mysterious, with John Banville, who calls it cream meringues and Turkish bright eyes and sometimes with sharp ‘profound’ and a ‘compelling coffee custard. Beautifully Books on Books teeth. plea ... for man to come to photographed and observed, with a treasure Read This Next: his senses and stop dreaming trove of mouth-watering recipes. Your 500 New You’ve long been known as a poet of desire. of immortality’. Gray looks at humankind’s Favourite Books This collection sees your work ranging across desperate experiments in the quest for the Veg In Sandra Newman youthful and more mature forms of attrac- eternal, from the Edwardian spiritualists Flip Shelton & Howard Mittelmark (and what an eccentric, entertaining story tion and sexuality, sometimes in one poem. Wakefield. PB. $29.95 Penguin. PB. $24.95 they make) to firmly atheistic Soviet Russia’s Sexuality is a powerful lens that magnifies This handy collection of Planning your 2011 reading ‘worker’s paradise’ on earth and their the soul; it refracts intelligence and feel- simple vegetarian recipes is already – either for your book paradoxical canonisation of Lenin, to ing, and is the closest analogue we have destined to end up stained group or personal pleasure? contemporary low-calorie dieters. ‘Filled to divine love. Sometimes our eyes ‘go and crumpled from frequent The perfect guide (second to with diverting anecdotes and ironic asides, barefoot’, as I say in ‘Summer’. use. Fancy dolmades, curry Readings Monthly, of course!) yet swells to a powerful philosophical laksa or tempura vegetables? is this smart, succinct little Paul Mitchell’s latest collection is Awake conclusion.’ – Financial Times Despite the Hour (Five Islands Press, PB, Flip Shelton offers over 100 book, covering everything $21.95). A longer version of this interview alternatives to your favourite from Catch 22 to Madame is available at www.readings.com.au. take-away, with recipes spanning India, Bovary and the two Naomis (Wolf and Klein). China, Mexico, Japan, Greece, Malaysia and Includes questions for book clubs. Readings Monthly March 2011 13

New from byFood Justine Douglas, & ReadingsWine Port Melbourne byArt Margaret & Snowdon, Design Readings Carlton I have been re-reading Nigel 21st Century Art for Kids Slater’s delightful memoir (co-published by the QLD Toast (Fourth Estate, PB, Art Gallery and The Gallery $24.99), which has recently of Modern Art, HB, $35) been re-issued to coincide may be for children, but I with a BBC adaptation really love it. Covering artists starring Helena Bonham from all around the world, we Carter and Freddie High- learn about their childhoods, more. Slater recollects his childhood families, why they grew up to be artists and experiences of food, from the cheese how they make art. The blurb says it’s a football (served at his parents’ cocktail fun-filled book, and it is! Artists include parties) to Heinz Sponge Pudding (in a tin) Arthur Koo-ekka Pambegan Jr, Fiona Hall, with the same quintessentially English wit Yayoi Kusama, Callum Morton, Ah Xian and and charm of Simon Gray’s Smoking Katherina Grosse. Diaries. Divided into short pieces with Angie Lewin: Plants and Places (Leslie Geddes- A former senior member of the IRA, sentenced to headings like ‘Salad Cream, Mushroom life imprisonment challenges the misconception Ketchup and Other Delights’, Slater creates Brown, Merrell, HB, $69.99) is another charming book, about British artist Angie that the Provisional IRA was only, or even wholly, a riotous portrait of sixties suburban about ending partition and uniting Ireland. Lewin. You can see the influence in her work England that constituted a bizarre form of $29.95 Pb, ISBN 9780745330747 of Edward Bawden and his circle. She’s well Lines for Birds, Poems and Paintings encouragement to become a food writer. To Pluto Press known for textile designs, prints and draw- Barry Hill & John Wolseley my mind, this is perfect bedside reading, ISBN 9781921401534/$59.95 provided you can restrain yourself from ings, and this volume chronicles the wildflow- reading passages aloud to your companion ers and landscapes that inspire her, as well as – and be warned, you will find yourself works and processes. wandering down long-neglected aisles of Architects’ Sketchbooks (Will the supermarket in search of Ribena and Jones & Narinder Sagoo, tins of cream of tomato soup in a fit of Thames and Hudson, HB, nostalgia. $75), is an excellent collection Like Nigel Slater, Diana – in fact, I’m surprised at the Henry is a proponent of creativity and wide range of simple everyday cookery styles and techniques using seasonal ingredients. displayed by the contributors In Food from Plenty (Mitch- (85, including Will Alsop, Shigeru Ban, Eva ell Beazley, HB, $49.99), as Jiricna & Norman Foster, over 750 illustra- in her previous book Crazy tions). Once, drawings by architects, although From Charles Dickens’s journey through Italy in Water, Pickled Lemon, she very skilled, tended towards the stiff and 1844 to 20th-century immigrants to America academic – not anymore. selling ice cream on the streets of New Orleans. The End of Longing incorporates international dishes like John Mariani, wine correspondent for Esquire Viennese potatoes with pickled cucumber Ian Reid Another book on Parisian magazine surprises with little-known culinary ISBN 9781742582740/$32.95 and caraway and offers variations that facili- Interiors (Barbara & René anecdotes about Italy and its people. tate an adaptive approach to her recipes. Stoeltie, foreword by Jacques $39.95 Hb, ISBN 9780230104396 The opening chapter on roasts is wonderful Garcia, Flammarion, HB, Palgrave Macmillan and includes excellent ideas for left-overs $80) – there are a lot, but for like a chicken, wild rice and blueberry good reason. They’re always salad, which is so tasty it is worth roasting a gorgeous to look at and I can’t chicken from scratch for. Fans of Ottoleng- wait to have peek inside the hi will appreciate the extensive collection of private homes of 20 of the city’s celebrated salads based on pulses and grains included interiors gurus. in this thoroughly modern cookbook. “They“They were sshowinghowing tthehe savages on tthehe roorooftopftop ...... ”” Caroline and Robin Weir Still stylish, but ultra have made the study of iced contemporary, is Dutch confectionary their life’s work designer Hella Jongerius. Her and Ice Creams, Sorbets & work is celebrated in a new Hella Gelati (Grub St, HB, $49.99) book from Phaidon – Jongerius: Misfit is their definitive reference (Louise book, recently expanded and Schouwenberg et al., PB, updated. They detail the $69.95). Drawing on science and history of ice cream, from the traditional craft techniques (I recently saw endothermic effect of salt on ice, to the some of her designs featured on textiles in World of Interiors difference between ices and gelato. There are mag), but using high-tech more than 400 recipes, including Poppy materials, she started out with Droog Design Seed Gelato and the salacious Bloody Mary and then founded her own firm, Jongeriuslab. Lollypop, with detailed instructions for The ultra-contemporary is those with or without an ice-cream maker. also celebrated in two new One need never settle for vanilla again. books on Japanese fashion. Future Beauty: 30 Years of What is it about jelly that Japanese Fashion incites fervent bouts of (Akiko Fukai longing for tonsillitis and et al., Merrell, HB, $99) is a vodka shots lovingly made stunning book showing how for that first share-house innovatively stylish the party? Jelly used to mean Japanese are, accompanied by an exhibition at boiling the kettle and the Barbican Art Gallery. Included are Issey emptying it onto a packet of Miyake, Rei Kawakubo, Johji Yamamoto, ‘lime’ crystals but Bompas & Parr, a Junya Watanabe, Jun Takahashi and Tao Kuri- partnership born of Eton classmates hara. It also includes comprehensive essays by (resplendent in boaters and bow-ties) Akiko Fukai, Barbara Vinken, Sussanah turned failed architectural students, has Frankel and Hirofumi Kurino. taken the culinary world by storm with Melbourne excels in funky SetSet amidamid tthehe sskyscraperskyscrapers of 1890s CChicagohicago anandd tthehe far-far-flfl ung their irreverent take on an almost forgotten small cafes, but you may still islandsislands of tthehe SouSouthth PacPacifiifi cc, BrigBrightht aandnd Distant SShoreshores is bobothth a English dessert. While they may be at the pick a tip or two from Very cutting edge of molecular gastronomy (they Small Cafés and Restaurants sweeping epic and a triumph of lyrical storytelling. A brilliant have collaborated with Heston Blumen- (John Stones, Laurence King, novel that is at once a rollicking yarn and a beautiful love story— thal), they are traditionalists by nature, as HB, $55). Featured are 40 an amazing cast of unforgettable characters and exotic settings. evidenced by their twelve-course Victorian small eating establishments RRP $29.99 Breakfast. Jelly with Bompas & Parr (Sam from around the world and Bompas & Harry Parr, Pavillion, HB, $35) work from designers such as Wonderwall, is an original and witty exploration of an Marti Guixe and Thomas Heatherwick. oft-maligned classic that will make you reconsider jelly as suitable fare for a wedding or funeral feast. 14 Readings Monthly March 2011

When her pet slug dies tragically, her dad begin. Jelly is a sensitive and delightful promises to get her a new pet. Unfortunately, creation and her maturing over the summer is he seems to be allergic to every animal in the a blossoming that readers will enjoy. This is a store! And then the invisible imp decides to heart-warming story of family and friendship. Kids’ Books get involved ... Hopefully there will be a sequel, but in the Book of the Month Yummy: My Favourite meantime read Skellig by David Almond, Moon Over Manifest Nursery Stories Middle Readers another wonderful angel story with memo- Clare Vanderpool Lucy Cousins A Long Walk to Water rable characters. For ages nine and up. AD Delacorte. HB. $23.95 Walker. PB. $24.95 Linda Sue Park What a story! Mystery, Free Yummy bib while stocks last UQP. PB. $16.95 history, love, loss and From the creator of Maisy Eleven-year-old Salva was friendship set in 1936 Kansas. comes this vibrant sitting in his classroom, Moon Over Manifest has an collection of eight nursery half-listening to his teacher eccentric cast of characters, stories. Lucy Cousins’ but thinking of home time, and the most endearing and trademark bright, when the gunfire started. The unforgettable is Abilene eye-catching, attention- students were told to run and Tucker. Inexplicably sent by holding illustrations are hide in the bushes. He never her drifter father to the small run-down town accompanied with bold got home to his family and specky magee and the of Manifest to stay with reformed bootlegger language that breathes new life into classics, didn’t see his village again for over 20 years. best of oz (book eight) turned minister, Shady Howard, she feels including ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, This slimmish novel is based on the true Felice Arena & Garry Lyon abandoned and puzzled. However, as clapped ‘Henny Penny’, ‘Goldilocks and the Three story of Salva Dut, one of the Lost Boys of Puffin. PB. $16.95 out as the town is, it hasn’t lost its heart, and Bears’ and ‘The Enormous Turnip’. Sudan. In alternating chapters, two stories it embraces and nurtures Abilene as she sets unfold: one of a boy’s terrible hardships and Scorpia Rising (Alex about solving the mystery of her father and Activity & Novelty struggle for survival in war-time, the other of Rider, Book Nine) his connection with it. After finding a box of One Stitch at a Time a young Sudanese village girl whose days are Anthony Horowitz letters and other ephemera, Abilene, with the Laura Clempson et al. spent walking to collect water, till some Walker. PB. Normally $18.95 help of Miss Sadie, pieces together not only Black Dog Books. HB. $24.99 strangers arrive to dig a well. And here the Our special price $14.95 the momentous times in Manifest’s history, Hand-crafted soft toys are infinitely better two stories meet. An eye-opening and Countless fans will be both happy and sad but ultimately (and poignantly) comes to than the factory-produced alternative! And inspiring story for ten to 14 year olds – both to see two sequels published this month: know her father. The powerful bond that kids will have hours of fun making their own good readers and less enthusiastic ones – Specky Magee and the Best of Oz, in which Gideon and his daughter share is the cute creations, by following the instructions who enjoy realistic fiction. KK Specky goes to Ireland, the eighth and final foundation of the book and the ending is very in this colourful beginner’s guide. Best of all, in this ever-popular series about a young moving; this reviewer shed a few tears! it comes with fabrics, buttons, stuffing and The Girl SAVAGE Aussie Rules footballer; and Scorpia Rising, Readers will be enchanted by the quirky accessories for the first project. Katherine Rundell the final Alex Rider spy story, which we townsfolk and the artful weaving of two Faber. PB. $15.99 are promised will be a dark and shocking narratives that is evocative and lively. Moon Encyclopedia Would the settler father of a conclusion to his missions. Over Manifest is a rich and rewarding read. Mythologica: Dragons young girl growing up in Obviously the judges of the highly esteemed Zimbabwe really allow his Young Adult Newbery Medal agreed, awarding this debut and Monsters Matthew Reinhart daughter to run so glori- Triple Ripple novel the 2011 medal. Not to be missed. For ously free and wild? And Brigid Lowry ages nine and up. & Robert Sabuda would the English boarding Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn Walker. HB Pop-up. Normally $39.95 A&U. PB. $17.99 school she is sent to be quite Once again, Brigid Lowry Our special price $34.95 so unaware of the terrible Picture Books Did you know that the creates a beautifully written trouble this free-spirited girl is having in novel for young adults, this word dragon comes from adjusting and being accepted? I’m not sure, Arnie and Barney’s the ancient Greek word one focusing on the teenage Crazy Alphabet Action but if one allows oneself to be carried girl. The novel consists of a for serpent, and that in along, this is a gutsy story of a strong, Adventure Old Norse the word for fairytale, a young modern resourceful girl overcoming real difficulties. teen who is reading it and Emma Dodson snake is worm? I didn’t (At one stage the London Zoo, with its Scholastic. HB. $24.99 either, until I read the flap the writer who is creating it. familiar animals, seems the only slightly Each character is facing different problems, In alphabet tradition, A is for for ‘Terrible Serpents of familiar refuge.) For 11 to 14 year olds who Action, but in Arnie and the West’. The modern masters of pop-up, all personal and all waiting to be solved. This are not into romantic or paranormal romantic fairytale is perfect for girls 12 and Barnie’s world ‘APPEAR’ Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, fiction, this is a good read. KK ushers in the weird and have produced the final title in their older who enjoy an enchanting story. wonderful with lift the flaps, mythology series, which started with faeries The Friendship Katherine Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn pop-up maps, slide-y scenes and is ending with dragons. The paper craft Matchmaker A Beautiful Lie and all manner of zany words. is amazing, as expected, but surrounding Randa Abdel-Fattah Children will be amused, the roaring green dragon confronting St Irfan Master Scholastic. PB. $15.99 sometimes confused but never bored unless George is a wealth of detail and interesting Bloomsbury. PB. $15.99 Lara is the school friendship its ‘W is for Watch – the Boring Windmill titbits which will inspire and delight all Everything seems to be going matchmaker and what she Show’, that with the turn of the dial morphs lovers of mythology. For ages six and up. wrong for Bilal. His father is says goes! But when Emily, into …? Join Arnie and Barney on this Marie Matteson is from Readings dying and India is in crisis. the quirky new girl in town, alphabet romp that is educative fun the whole Port Melbourne Then one day he makes an way. For three and up. AD doesn’t want Lara’s services, oath. He swears that he will Younger readers or listen to Lara’s advice, will do anything in his power to Out of the Egg everything Lara has created make sure his father never Boris unravel? Randa Abdel-Fat- Tina Matthews finds out the truth about Andrew Joyner tah’s new book is just heaven. As a former Walker. PB. $15.95 what’s really happening to his precious India. Puffin. PB. $9.95 schoolyard occupant, I was disturbingly Free red chicken plush while stocks last With the help of his friends, Bilal goes on a Watch out, younger readers: transported back to the no-holds-barred war mission to keep the secret of what’s going on With gorgeous Japanese zone of primary school, complete with woodcut illustrations, this is a small warthoggy character in the real world from his father. Even is coming your way! Boris bullies, harried teachers and slightly strange though Bilal knows lying is wrong, he is a wonderful reworked girls who sniff stationery. So funny, so warm version of the classic ‘Little lives at Hogg Bay in an old determined to succeed, so that his father can bus with his mum and dad. and so real, this book deserves an A+. die in peace, with his dreams for India still Red Hen’ tale. Little Red’s Callie Martin is from Readings St Kilda baby chick befriends the He longs to go off on alive. This book is filled with detailed children of the lazy cat, rat intrepid adventures in the imagery and gives the reader a very clear bus, and one day it happens Angel Creek description of what’s going on in the story, and pig, and together they Sally Rippin learn about forgiveness and sharing. at last. Such excitement! Not quite what he and in the character’s head. hoped for – rather tame, in fact – but even Text. PB. $16.95. ebook $14.95 Anisija Gillian, aged 12 Madeline at disappointments can have the best endings. There are some books that the White House The full-colour illustrations from Andrew burst into life from the first The Glass Collector Joyner, illustrator of The Terrible Plop by few pages – and this is one. Anna Perera John Bemelmans-Marciano Ursula Dubosarsky, speak volumes. So a It’s set in Melbourne, in the Harper. PB. $19.99 Viking. HB. $24.95 very simple text, never more than two to Merri Creek vicinity (always A member of the despised Everyone’s favourite five lines per page, tells a subtly funny and an added bonus if you read a Zabbaleen, 15-year-old Adam red-headed heroine is off satisfying tale. It’s great! Also, check out book featuring your home- makes a living from gathering to enjoy an American Boris Gets a Lizard (Puffin, PB, $9.95). For town!). Jelly’s family have garbage in his home city of adventure! The president’s newish readers, five to seven years old. moved to accommodate her high school years Cairo. But every day he only daughter is lonely, but Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton and she isn’t happy about it. As her extended dreams of a brighter future she’s sure to be cheered up family gather to celebrate Christmas, Merri with Rachel, the girl who by Madeline and her class- Creek beckons. The playing children see Brigid Lucy Wants a Pet looks after the garbage-cart mates. There’s an Easter something bird-like struggling in the Leonie Norrington ponies. After Adam is punished for stealing, Egg Roll, dress-up games, cake and ice fast-moving water and on rescuing it, discover Little Hare. PB. $10.95 he makes a choice that will change his life. cream, scary stories, and a tour of they have found an angel, seemingly young Washington D.C. Brigid Lucy can’t always be good – after all, there’s an invisible imp hiding in her hair. and with a broken wing. The adventures Readings Monthly March 2011 15 WINE COUNTRY EUROPE Ornella D’Alessio & Marco Santini HB. Was $49. Now $14.95 ReadingsBargains on the web: New books are Bargai regularly added to our nwebsite. Table Click on the Bargains tab at www.readings.com.au. There is no better way to enjoy wine than at its source, and in Europe, the birthplace PETER PAN STRAWBERRY FIELDS YIDDISH CIVILISATION of wine, you can still find the Robert Sabuda Marina Lewycka Paul Kriwaczek most beautiful vineyards in HB. Was $42. Now $19.95 HB. Was $35. Now $14.95 Was $39.95. Now $19.95 the world. This is a dream Robert Sabuda enhances the When a ragtag international From the author of In Search tour of the Old World’s most already powerful enchant- crew of migrant workers is of Zarathustra, an illuminat- celebrated regions, from the ments of J.M. Barrie’s classic forced to flee the strawberry ing chronicle of Yiddish famed areas of France and Italy to lesser- tale with astonishing paper fields they have been working civilisation, from its roots in known discoveries in Austria and Hungary. engineering. Illustrations in, they set off across the Diaspora to the present. suggest a hybrid of period England looking for employ- Paul Kriwaczek reflects upon GOD’S CRUCIBLE styles, somewhere between ment. Marina Lewycka the development of Yiddish David Levering Lewis arts and crafts, and art chronicles their bumpy road language, occupations, social HB. Was $42. Now $16.95 nouveau. Not to be missed. trip with tender affection. life, art, music and literature, and introduces A bold new interpretation of us to notable diplomats, artists and thinkers. Islamic Spain and the birth WE SAW SPAIN DIE THE EMPATHIC of Europe, from one of our Paul Preston CIVILIZATION WHO’S BEEN SLEEPING greatest historians. This HB. Was $39.95. Now $17.95 Jeremy Rifkin IN YOUR HEAD? narrative, filled with accounts Includes extraordinary HB. Was $39. Now $16.95 Brett Kahr of some of the greatest battles testimony from writers No matter how much we put PB. Was $25. Now $14.95 in world history, reveals how including Ernest Hemingway, our minds to the task of Based on the largest-ever cosmopolitan, Muslim John Dos Passos, Martha meeting the challenges of a survey of sexual fantasies, and al-Andalus flourished – a beacon of coopera- Gellhorn, W.H. Auden, rapidly globalising world, the drawing on the author’s 25 tion and tolerance – while proto-Europe George Orwell, Antoine de human race seems to years of clinical practice, this floundered in opposition. Saint Exupéry and others. continually come up short. In does for fantasy what Kinsey his most ambitious book to did for sexual behaviour. THE ENGLISH READER date, bestselling social critic Features narrative accounts of Michael Ravitch THE MAKING Jeremy Rifkin shows that this disconnect lies fantasies and the author’s & Dianne Ravitch OF A SONNET in the current state of human consciousness. interpretations of how they affect our lives. HB. Was $42. Now $16.95 Edward Hirsch In this sequel to the bestsell- & Eavan Boland (eds) UNACCUSTOMED EARTH THE WORLD IN SIX SONGS ing The American Reader, HB. Was $49. Now $16.95 Jhumpa Lahiri Daniel J. Levitin mother-and-son team Diane This illuminating anthology HB. Was $35. Now $14.95 HB. Was $59.95. Now $16.95 and Michael Ravitch have of five-and-a-half centuries of Beginning in America, and Daniel J. Levitin showcases gathered together the best the sonnet follows the form spilling back over memories his daring theory of six and most memorable poems, through its various moments and generations to India, songs, illuminating how the essays, songs and orations in and makers. The editors Unaccustomed Earth follows brain evolved to play and English history. – poets themselves – pay new lives forged in the wake listen to music in six particular attention to the of loss. These are stories in fundamental forms – for THE BAY OF NOON way in which the sonnet which deeply sympathetic knowledge, friendship, Shirley Hazzard thrived or waned over the centuries. characters reach pivotal ceremony, joy, comfort and PB. Was $23. Now $9.95 moments in their frayed relationships. love. 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Includes Bellow, modernist master whose with our hands. It seeks to Mailer, Cheever and short stories are marked by TOO SOON OLD, restore the honour of the Capote, to name a few. highly original imagery, TOO LATE SMART manual trades as a life worth choosing. cynicism, beauty and wild Gordon Livingston THE STONE GODS humour. HB. Was $24.99. Now $14.95 MARGOT FONTEYN: A LIFE Jeanette Winterson This profound and incisive Meredith Daneman HB. Was $20.95. Now $13.95 GIRLS LIKE US book of collected wisdoms PB. Was $25.95. Now $12.95 The Stone Gods is written in Sheila Weller and deceptively simple truths Margot Fonteyn, born Peggy four parts: the first begins on HB. Was $39.95. Now $16.95 will inspire you to seek and Hookham, was dreamed up Orbus, a world very like A groundbreaking and recognise the best in your life by the architects of British earth, running out of irresistible biography of three and to realise that it is never ballet: Ninette de Valois, resources and suffering from of America’s most important too late to find your greatest Frederick Ashton and the severe effects of climate musical artists – Carole King, happiness. Constant Lambert. Carried to change. Then, a new planet is Joni Mitchell and Carly fame on war-time patriotism, discovered, perfect for human Simon – charts their lives as TITUS GROAN, Margot’s sense of duty rather life. The one drawback? The dinosaurs. women at a magical moment GORMENGHAST, than ambition propelled her forward. in time. TITUS ALONE HOW PHILOSOPHY Mervyn Peake GHOSTS OF SPAIN CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE THE LIFE OF PI PB. Were $22.95 each. Giles Tremlett Marietta McCarthy Yann Martel Now $7.95 each HB. Was $37.95. Now $14.95 PB. Was $20.95. Now $9.95 HB. Was $42. Now $17.95 Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast The appearance, more than Discover how great philoso- Yann Martel’s The Life of trilogy is widely acknowl- 60 years after the Spanish phers can help you live a Pi is an astonishing work edged to be, as Robertson Civil War ended, of mass more purposeful and of imagination that will Davies pronounced, ‘a classic graves containing victims of peaceful life. This inspiring delight and stun readers in of our age’. In these extraor- Franco’s death squads, finally new book from the bestsell- equal measures. It is a dinary novels, Peake created broke what Spaniards call ing author of Little Big Minds triumph of storytelling a world where all is like a ‘the pact of forgetting’ – the reveals how the heartbeats of and a tale that will, as one dream: lush, fantastical and unwritten understanding that philosophy – clear thinking, character puts it, make vivid. The Gormenghast novels represent their recent, painful past was best left quiet reflection and good conversation – are you believe in God. This special edition is one of the most brilliantly sustained flights unexplored. essential ingredients in a well-lived life. illustrated by Tomislav Torjanac. of Gothic imagination.

Bargain Book Warehouse Sale Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Monday 14 March Up to 80% off normal retail prices. Three days only, 10am-6pm, at our warehouse, 314 Drummond St, Carlton. While stocks last! 16 Readings Monthly March 2011 THE ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH with Melvyn Bragg New Release DVDs Released 9 March. $29.95 Melvyn Bragg travels through Britain to tell the story of DVD of the Month ONDINE W.C. FIELDS COLLECTION THE SOCIAL NETWORK $39.95 $24.95 how an insignificant German dialect evolved into a A lyrical modern fairytale. W.C. Field’s flawless timing 2 DVD set $39.95. Blu-ray $44.95. Blu-ray language now spoken and Irish fisherman Syracuse’s life and humorous cantanker- Digi $49.95 understood by more people is transformed when he ousness made him one of On an autumn night in than any other. We trace catches a beautiful and America’s greatest comedi- 2003, Harvard undergrad English from its humble mysterious woman in his ans. Remembered for his and computer programming roots to its flowering in the writing of Shake- nets. His daughter Annie nasal voice, antisocial genius Mark Zuckerberg sits speare and his contemporaries. It’s a story comes to believe that the character and fondness for down at his computer and that really reads like an adventure of woman is a magical creature, alcohol, his real-life and heatedly begins working on a extraordinary survival. new idea. What begins in his while Syracuse falls helplessly in love. screen personalities were often indistin- dorm room soon becomes a guishable. These classic short films include MUSIC OF THE BRAIN global social network and a revolution in SUMMER CODA The Golf Specialist, Pool Sharks, The Phar- Released 11 March. $19.95 communication. Six years and 500 million $34.95 macist, The Fatal Glass of Beer, The Barber Music affects our develop- friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the Summer Coda is an Austra- Shop and The Dentist. ment, from the womb to the youngest billionaire in history ... but for this lian film set in the stunning grave. Filmed in Bologna, entrepreneur, success leads to both personal orange groves of Mildura. HISTOIRE(S) DU CINéMA Italy and Melbourne, this and legal complications. Having grown up in $69.95 documentary examines the Nevada, Heidi hasn’t spoken Completed over ten years, role music plays in develop- THE MESSENGER to her Australian father since Jean-Luc Godard’s painstak- ing our brains as humans. she was seven. Haunted by ingly created Histoire(s) Du $34.95 Music is good for our health his memory, she returns to Cinéma is a celebration of Ben Foster stars as a US – as non-Western tribal cultures have always Australia seeking closure. Rachael Taylor the cinematic art as never Army officer who has just known – and this documentary shows you and Alex Dimitriades star in this romantic seen before. Godard’s returned home from a tour how and why. in Iraq and is assigned to the drama. eclectic intertextual and Army’s Casualty Notification powerful Histoire(s) is an BAROQUE! service. Partnered with a MY SUICIDE examination of the history of the concept $29.95 fellow officer played by $29.95 of cinema and how it relates to modern life. In this spectacular series, art Woody Harrelson to bear the Archibald Holden Buster critic Waldemar Januszczak bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Williams is a 17-year-old I’M STILL HERE takes us on a tour of the best he faces the challenge of completing his media geek. When he $29.95 examples of baroque to be mission while seeking to find comfort and announces that he’s going to A striking portrayal of a found. Episode One begins at healing back on the home front. A surpris- kill himself – on camera – tumultuous year in the life St Peter’s in Rome and details ing, humorous, moving and very human for a class project, his of internationally acclaimed the birth of the baroque portrait of grief, friendship and survival. classmates, parents, the most actor Joaquin Phoenix. The tradition. Episode Two beautiful girl in school, and directorial debut of Casey follows baroque to its dark heart in Spain, LET ME IN a ‘Shady Bunch’ of shrinks, doctors, Affleck, I’m Still Here is then through Belgium and Holland. Episode pill-pushers and counsellors descend on sometimes funny, sometimes $39.95. Blu-ray $49.95 Three explores English baroque tradition. Abby is a mysterious him. Archie films every moment. shocking, and always 12-year-old who moves next riveting – a portrait of an artist at a THE PLAN (+ THE PLANET) door to Owen, a social THE LAST DAYS crossroads. $24.95 outcast who is viciously OF CHEZ NOUS The planet is threatened with bullied at school. In his UNKNOWN CHAPLIN Released 9 March. $24.95 destruction. We can deal loneliness, Owen forms a $19.95 A complex study of the with it and produce change, profound bond with his new Using previously unseen relationship between a or we can let that change neighbour, but he can’t help film and interviews from a middle-aged woman and her force itself upon us. In The noticing that Abby is like no one he has secret cache of Chaplin French husband. Family Plan, we see how people are met before. As a string of grisly murders footage, Unknown Chaplin friction ensues as three becoming aware of these grips his wintry New Mexico town, Owen provides extraordinary generations of women are challenges and how they has to confront the reality that this insight into many aspects of forced to re-evaluate their drive this development forward. The Planet is seemingly innocent girl is hiding a dark Chaplin’s dazzling career, relationships. Written by a documentary that goes beyond global secret. The American remake of Let The including his early working Helen Garner and directed by Gillian warming to examine our planet and the Right One In. methods, the making of famous films and Armstrong. changes we are experiencing. the movies he made for fun. Readings Monthly March 2011 17 IMMIGRATION NATION THE SUNSHINE BOY $29.95 $29.95 This is a story that comes full Narrated by actress Kate circle – the story of how Winslet, this is the story of New Release CDs Australia dared to dream of Margret, a mother who has what it could become. From done everything in her power the White Australia Policy to to help her 11-year-old Demons a nation forced to confront severely autistic son, Keli. CD of the Month Cowboy Junkies its fears with the arrival of Margret has a quenchless TEMPTATION $21.95 Vietnamese refugees in the thirst for knowledge about Demons is the second 1970s, our vast land has ultimately suc- his mysterious and complex condition. She The Waifs volume of the Cowboy ceeded in living out the very dreams of its travels to the US and learns that, perhaps, it $29.95 Junkies’ four-part ‘Nomad’ founders; not by closing its borders, but by is possible to break down the wall of autism The Waifs have come a long series, with their first opening them. and get to know the individual behind it. way from their humble volume, Remnin Park, beginnings in the early released eight months ago. CHAMPION FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 1990s. From busking at Having planned to create a collaborative $29.95 To coincide with this year’s Fremantle markets to album with their long-time folk artist You probably know Danny festival, Readings offer a selling their first few friend Vic Chesnutt, the project turned out Trejo. He has fierce tattoos great selection of titles. albums on consignment (dealing with to be a tribute album to Chesnutt, follow- and frequently plays a thug Spanning the last five years of hundreds of local shops around Australia), ing his tragic death in late 2009. Demons in your favourite movies. The French Film Festival, they have always done it themselves, a truly covers songs from all across Chesnutt’s Behind the ink, and the titles include The Hedgehog, independent band. Of course, by the time career, including West of Rome, Betty Lonely wicked characters he plays on Welcome, Leaving, Séraphine, London Still emerged, from the album Up and We Hovered with Short Wings. This is a screen, lies the story of a The Flight of the Red Balloon, All Night, they had become a huge festival beautiful tribute album that sees the troubled childhood that Molière, Orchestra Seats and How Much Do band and one of the most successful acts in Cowboy Junkies not straying far from the included drug addiction, armed robbery and You Love Me?, to name a few. the country. ARIA awards and multi-plati- original arrangements, but embellishing on extensive prison time. Champion offers an num sales followed. Fast-forward to 2011 their own unique sound. intimate, one-of-a-kind view into the life of MARCH IS BLU-RAY and we see the release of their sixth studio Miranda La Fleur is from Readings Carlton Danny Trejo before (and after) he turned MONTH AT READINGS album, Temptation – recorded in Minneapo- himself around. lis over ten days. Josh, Donna and Vicki all Wounded Rhymes There’s never been a better call America home. In recent years, the band Lykke Li time to start your Blu-ray has played second fiddle to motherhood, LUKE NGUYEN’S library. Readings has a $21.95 marriage and studies. However, music has With her silky, haunting VIETNAM: SERIES 2 selection of specially priced always remained essential, ongoing and $29.95 essential classics, big-screen Swedish vocals and clear entwined with their everyday lives. As a enjoyment of banging on Acclaimed chef Luke Ngyuen epics and popcorn cult result, the new album presents a rich returns to the country of his movies with a stunning everything in the drum tapestry of melancholy parental laments, shop, Lykke Li’s newest heritage to take a culinary clarity of picture and gospel pleas, ‘sweet as summer’ love ditties, journey through the northern mind-blowing sound that only Blu-ray album is a much darker and odes to addiction and marriage. and more ragged style of music than her regions of Vietnam. Starting provides. Make the upgrade from DVD to Dave Clarke is from Readings Carlton in Hue, Luke travels through Blu-ray. It’s what your big new TV is for. previous one, the gorgeous, ethereal Youth Vietnam’s spectacular Novels. It is all the more exciting for it: northern countryside, visiting Prices start at $14.95 for 2001: A Space primal and raw, Wounded Rhymes can be as the natural wonders of Ha Long Bay, Odyssey, Goodfellas, L.A. Confidential and damaged as its name (as when she huskily stopping at French-inspired Hanoi, and $19.95 for Blade Runner, Gone with the Wind, sings ‘I’m your prostitute’ in the darkly venturing to the beautiful mountains of Sapa. Inglorious Basterds, Kick-Ass. Other titles Pop & Rock upbeat Get Some). But Lykke Li’s new gritty include The Bourne Trilogy and Gladiator. Long Player Late persona – which you can blame on cold Bloomer weather and broken relationships – makes Ron Sexsmith for some fantastic music. $24.95 Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton Eleven albums in, Cana- dian troubadour Ron Adalita Sexsmith’s consistency Adalita continues to amaze. $24.95 Sexsmith is a man pos- Adalita’s self-titled debut sessed of that rarest of gifts: solo album reveals a the uncanny ability to fashion a deceptively grungy, pared-back style to simple melody and lyric into something that suit the sexy, rough voice can leave the listener floored. Indeed, it is that has been seducing exactly this quality that has won him a ‘who’s Australians since her days who’ of musical admirers: Dylan and in Magic Dirt. Produced in part by the late McCartney, to name just two. Long Player Dean Turner and starring some premier Late Bloomer sees Sexsmith get about as close musical talent, Adalita is bringing a more to a rock sound as he has come, having honest, live-music feel to this release. From teamed up with noted producer Bob Rock the gentle, densely guitared, riff-heavy (known for his collaborations with Metal- opening track Hot Air to songs like Jewel lica). Despite the change in sound, the Thief and Goin Down, which may bring out melodic purity of the songs always shines your inner 90s mosh-pit teenager, prepare through and proves yet again why this man to enjoy the delicious feeling of a live gig is truly a songwriter’s songwriter. without having someone spill beer down Declan Murphy is from Readings St Kilda the back of your shirt. FH Build a Rocket Boys We’re New Here Elbow Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX $21.95 $21.95. Vinyl $29.95 Build a Rocket Boys is the Okay. Firstly, I’ve been a much anticipated follow-up pretty big fan of Gil for to 2008’s Mercury prize- years. Secondly, I tend to winning Seldom Seen Kid, be sceptical at best of from Manchester’s hardest remix albums, which could working band. Having come down to my own toiled away for the best part of 20 years in musical snobbery. However, Jamie XX’s relative obscurity, it is fantastic to see this treatment of Gil’s 2010 record I’m New superb band hit their stride in recent years Here (which, by the way, is well worth – and the fine run of form continues on this checking out) is not, from all reports, the album, which is sure to delight long-time horror that it could be. It’s full of sparse fans and newcomers alike. First single Neat hip-hop/dubstep beats and uses Gil’s voice Little Rows once again pushes their sound more like an instrument than a focal point. forward, with the yearning, unmistakable If it helps introduce a younger generation voice of Guy Garvey providing the wings to Gil, that’s got to be a good thing. on which the track soars. Elsewhere, tracks Melissa Whebell is from Readings Hawthorn like the wonderfully titled Lippy Kids provide more reasons why Elbow is a band who has earned its well-deserved place in the sun. DM 18 Readings Monthly March 2011

Team Roxy Music, Eric Clapton and The Smiths. may not be the ideal starting point for the LAST STAR Holly Throsby The Hal Willner-produced album also uninitiated, it still has its merits. MW Heidi Talbot Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 includes one song with lyrics specially written $29.95 After recently releasing See!, for her by Irish playwright Frank McGuiness Irish singer Talbot has a collection of children’s (the evocative The Old House), two cameo made her finest recording songs, Throsby has appearances on guitar from another old to date with this collection returned to her roots to cre- friend, Lou Reed, plus further cameos from TJazzhe Gate of traditional and contem- ate a new album with Dr John and MC5’s Wayne Kramer. Kurt Elling porary folk songs, along long-time friend and $24.95 with a mighty support producer Tony Dupé. Recorded in a Kurt Elling can woo you band featuring John McCusker (fiddle), Ian nineteenth-century Methodist church in the with a tender ballad one Carr (guitar), Michael McGoldrick (flute), Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Country minute, then just as easily and Eddi Reader and Karine Polwart Team is an inquiry into working mechanisms BLESSED blast you with some (vocals). PB and teams (bees, police, co-pilots, soldiers, Lucinda Williams rapid-fire scatting. Here, he miners) and presents a little universe of Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 comes across as sincere, LAGRIMAS MEXICANAS songs exploring companionship, separation On this, her tenth studio playful and ultimately very charismatic – his Vinicius Cantuária & Bill Frisell and the natural world. MLF album, Lucinda introduces fans will be truly rapt with this new album. $22.95 us to her bar-room ‘roots The Gate is all about precise arrangements This inspired pairing brings SMALL SOURCE and rock’ side. She tells us and wonderful vocals offering great phrasing together two of the guitar OF COMFORT she is learning how to write and dynamics. His version of Joe Jackson’s world’s greats in a very Bruce Cockburn songs that deal with Steppin’ Out and The Beatles’ Norwegian interesting take on $24.95 anything other than unrequited love and my Wood are full of texture and tone and very contemporary South The great Canadian guitarist first impression is that on many of these satisfying. Fans will not be disappointed. AB American guitar, with some returns after 2009’s live tracks, she has the ‘up yours!’ genre down beautifully integrated electronic sonic release, Slice of Life. Small pat. There are some great ‘f**k you’ songs for treatments. PB Source of Comfort is a every bad relationship she has ever endured. beautifully crafted collection She does branch out though, and gives us a of songs, with some couple of little gems – like Blessed, a song Folk & World instrumental tracks that highlight Cockburn’s about her thoughts on the war. While this the WIND THAT SHAKES deft touch. This time around, Cockburn is album was clearly a learning curve for her, THE BARLEY recording with acclaimed violinist Jenny she has given us her most accessible album Loreena McKennitt Scheiman and long-time collaborator Gary in years. I personally love it ... and listen to it $24.95 Craig – and he’s producing some of his best thankful I’m not an ex. In the couple of years since work in recent years. The opening track, Iris Lou Fulco is from Readings Carlton her last album, Canadian of the World, is beautiful, as is the instrumen- harpist and singer Loreena tal Lois on the Autobahn. There is much to BRIGHT MORNING STAR McKennitt has been absorb and contemplate in these 14 tracks: sit The Wailin’ Jennys absorbing herself in her back and enjoy. $26.95 love of traditional Celtic Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from Readings This Canadian folk/roots song. As usual, she is supported by the Carlton trio is almost a genre in talented Hugh Marsh on fiddle and Cath- itself. All three members erine Lavelle on cello, while Celtic guitar GREAT BARRIER GRIEF have spent the past three supremo Tony McManus also plays on a Oh Mercy years with different projects couple of tracks. Fans of McKennitt’s more Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 (including motherhood for stripped-down first few albums, before her I recently got to see Oh one of them) and were clearly fresh and eastern and medieval excursions, will Mercy play live. What up-for-it in the recording process. Tran- particularly enjoy this one. PB struck me is how effortless scending beauty with their gorgeous they sound: they harmonise harmonies, The Wailin’ Jennys have given us beautifully and their guitar an album of complete and stunning sound is reminiscent of the originality and honesty. And because these best in 60s and 80s pop à la The Byrds or girls write, play and sing with a unique and The Go-Betweens. Great Barrier Grief, their fresh approach, this makes for an album that Melbourne welcomes sophomore release, comes on the heels of last is instantly listenable. A wonderful, wonder- year’s well-crafted EP, Keith Street, and their ful experience. LF CECILIA BARTOLI critically-acclaimed 2009 debut, Privileged 428 2084 478 2558 475 9078 Woes. The new record finds the band LOW COUNTRY BLUES maturing. New single Stay Please Stay takes Gregg Allman you on a blissful journey that resembles the $26.95 way you may feel relaxing on a (rare) Produced by T-Bone beautiful Melbourne evening. MAS Burnett, the man who specialises in getting former MISSION BELL rock stars like Robert Plant Amos Lee to reclaim their roots mojo, $21.95 this album is a very solid Sacrificium Sospiri Maria The fourth album for Amos return to form for one of the great white blues The story of the Castrati. The music of dreams. The fascinating career Winner of the 2011 Grammy Award of Maria Malibran. Lee is a tasteful mix of singers. Allman, along with brother Duane, for Best Classical Vocal Performance.

moody ballads and helped create the blueprint for southern 478 2663 074 3382 seductive timbres. Mission blues-rock in the early 70s. Don’t expect the Bell is quite a spiritual amped-up guitar sound of the Allman album; it conjures images Brothers Band, though. This is a full return to of a person’s search for redemption. Yet there the soul and blues that got him into music in is a good balance of soul, gospel and folk, the first place. The album features the matched with warm guitars and horns. usual T-Bone rhythm section in tow, plus the Rossini Arias La Bartoli’s Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson piano playing of Dr John and great guitar auspicious debut perform a duet with Lee, but he honestly support from Doyle Bramhall II on a bunch recording for Decca. Halévy: Clari doesn’t need their help – his voice is of tunes from the likes of Muddy Waters, BB The first release on DVD of infectious enough. A really good album. King, Skip James and Sleepy John Estes. this hilarious opera starring Alice Bisits is from Readings Hawthorn Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton Cecilia Bartoli. HORSES & HIGH HEELS The Party Ain’t Over Marianne Faithfull Wanda Jackson $29.95 Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 Horses & High Heels is solo A brand new album from album number 23 from the the original queen of award-winning English rockabilly, featuring covers singer, songwriter and of artists like Bob Dylan, actress. It was recorded in Eddie Cochran, Jimmie the New Orleans French Rodgers – and even Amy Quarter in September and October of 2010 Winehouse. Produced by Jack White, it has and features eight cover versions and four his musical fingerprints all over it, making it original new songs co-written by Marianne; more of a rock than a rockabilly album. and four songs which feature the virtuoso Wanda’s voice is, for the most part, in fine guitar playing of John Porter, a musician/ form too: at 73 years of age, she can still rip producer friend most noted for his work with it up like it was 1956. And while this album Readings Monthly March 2011 19

celebration of Stravinsky’s stunning chamber debut – composers whose lives and work music, showing off Chen’s flawless tech- were affected by the politics of the former nique with rounded tone. Young inter- Soviet Union – brings together music by weaves his pianistic accompaniment with Shostakovich, Kancheli, Pärt and Rach- Classical CDs gentle and impressive feeling that opens maninov. Pärt’s beautiful Spiegel im Spiegel this disc, making it a wonderful chamber (featuring Hélène Grimaud) is as good as works. Including the rarities A White House recording. KR any version, while Rachmaninov’s Vocalise is Cantata and A Quiet Place, his only com- refreshingly understated. Most impressive, Classical CD plete full-length opera, it also includes his though, is Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto more famous repertoire of West Side Story, No. 1. Playing of the most sincere tender- of the Month Candide and On the Town. For fans of opera Classical Specials ness, rather than drama, offsets the sense of The Grainger Edition who are looking for the verve and excite- frustrated emotion that seems to characterise Various ment of Bernstein’s unique orchestrations, of the Month much of Shostakovich’s music. The cadenza Chandos. CHAN 10638. 19 CDs. $89.95 this is a terrific set that will introduce you to Homage: A CD/DVD is simply perfect. I cannot imagine a better On the fiftieth anniversary fabulous repertoire, unfortunately often Tribute to 12 of the or more warm and inviting performance of of Percy Grainger’s death, neglected. World’s Finest this work – a work I now love. Chandos have re-issued Kate Rockstrom is from Readings Carlton Evan Meagher is from Readings Hawthorn Instruments their acclaimed Grainger James Ehnes Edition CDs as a box-set. Chinese Recorder Onyx. ONYX 4038. Normally $44.95 Grainger was one of Concertos: Our special price $24.95 (while stocks last) music’s most original voices and his East Meets West Violinist James Ehnes pays Classical DVDs compositions, especially his arrangements Michala Petri, Lan Shui Steve Reich: Phase tribute to the world’s most of folksongs, include some of the world’s to Face & Copenhagen Philharmonic celebrated violin-makers in most well-loved pieces. Benjamin Britten EuroArts. 3058128. DVD. Normally $49.95 OURR6220603SACD. $26.95 this unique project featuring exclaimed, ‘In the art of folksong arrange- Our special price $39.95 (while stocks last) Something not often seen performances on 12 of the ments, Grainger is my master!’ This This great documentary film in the world of Western art greatest instruments ever collection covers all of Grainger’s composi- is likely to interest fans, as music is the ever evocative made. All instruments are from the Fulton tional styles, from orchestral, choral, wind well as those less familiar Chinese recorder. However, Collection, which is perhaps the most music, songs, solo piano and works for with Steve Reich, one of the this new CD from the important private collection in the world. chamber ensemble. All performances are late twentieth century’s key frequently recorded Danish Ehnes performs 21 selections on violins by excellent. Highly recommended. musical figures. Interviews artist Michala Petri tries to balance this. Stradivari, Guarneri, da Salo and Guadagnini, Phil Richards is from Readings Carlton with Reich are combined Featuring four concertos by Chinese in a carefully planned recital programme with excerpts from perfor- composers, accompanied by the might of the specially chosen to suit each instrument. It mances and rehearsals of some of the best- Copenhagen Philharmonic, it is a lovely finishes with a section comparing each Mendelssohn: Violin known works from across his career, blend of East-meets-West. Modern in instrument to an excerpt of the same piece: a providing a great introduction to his music, Concerto, Octet composition, yet traditional in style, it is a unique opportunity to contrast the sound as well as an insight into the ideas and James Ehnes, Philharmonia contrast that will suit any collection. KR qualities of these spectacular instruments. The thought processes behind it. Reich comes Orchestra & Vladimir Ashkenazy DVD has the complete performances, plus across as charismatic and even modest, Onyx Classics. ONYX4060. $29.95 Brahms: spectacular close-ups of the instruments and despite clearly recognising his pivotal role in Canadian fiddler James Handel Variations substantial interview sequences. This is one the last century’s rebellious swing away from Ehnes has yet to put a foot Murray Perahia collection not to be missed. PR wrong in his imaginative Sony. SCLL7794692. $21.95 the rigorous atonality prescribed by modern- ists since Schoenberg, towards music that interpretations of the core Murray Perahia is consid- Higdon/Tchaikovsky: re-embraced and re-evaluated traditional repertoire: he’s exposed the ered one of the foremost Violin Concertos tonality, and was comfortable drawing from tenderness in Paganini, pianists working today. Hilary Hahn, Vasily Petrenko influences as distant as jazz and African delighted in Barber and tackled Elgar with This new release is 20 years & RLPO astonishing presence and maturity for drumming. EM after his last Brahms DG. 4778777. Normally $26.95 someone so young. Now James turns to what recording and features Our special price $21.95 (while stocks last) may be the most popular concerto of all, and Mozart: Symphonies all-mature compositions performed by a Hilary Hahn has once shows that yes, there’s always room for and Concertos + 2011 mature musician at the height of his again produced an amazing another version. His heavy-hitting accompa- Variations EuroArts catalogue performance abilities. With the recording. Beginning with nists provide superb support. The biggest Fugue on a Theme Daniel Barenboim & Berlin and by Handel opening Jennifer Higdon’s Pulitzer delight may be the pairing with friends from the recording, it also includes the romantic Prize-winning violin Philharmonic Orchestra the Seattle Chamber Music Society. Ehnes Rhapsodie Klavierstuke Op. s and the lighter concerto, Hahn dazzles the EuroArts. 2020208. DVD $19.95 shows that despite being written when the 118 Op. 119 and . Any fan of piano reper- listener with yet another display of her amaz- Each year, EuroArts package composer was 16, the Octet is far from toire is sure to love this recording. KR ing technique. After listening to the Higdon their new DVD catalogue juvenilia. James’s recent Tchaikovsky concerto concerto, it is easy to understand why it is so with a selected release at the performance with the MSO received ‘concert Stravinsky: Diversions acclaimed. This is a fantastic piece of music very inviting price of $19.95. of the year’ from The Age – he hasn’t recorded for Violin and Piano and in the very capable hands of Hahn, This year’s offering requires that yet, but this disc will show you what all Ray Chen & Timothy Young Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO, it is per- little selling. A 2006 concert the fuss is about! Melba. MR301128. $29.95 from the Berlin Philharmon- Richard Mohr is a friend of Readings formed with tremendous grace and power. Ray Chen is the new Hahn follows this work with the Tchai- ic, with Daniel Barenboim as both conductor and pianist, features a Bernstein: superstar on the world kovsky concerto. This is yet another stellar scene. A violinist born in performance from one of the great violinists program of Mozart given at the historic Theatre Works Hong Kong, raised in in the world today – definitely an early Prague Estates Theatre – where Mozart Leonard Bernstein Australia but trained at contender for CD of the year. PR himself conducted the premier of Don DG. 4778853. 7 CDs. $69.95 Julliard, he has won Giovanni in 1787. The concert features the There are a number of numerous competitions and just signed an Echoes of Time Linz and Haffner symphonies and the Horn recent recordings featuring exclusive deal with Sony Classical, so this Lisa Batiashvili (violin) Concerto No. 1, performed by Radek Baborák, while Barenboim himself performs Leonard Bernstein, but this beautifully packaged recording featuring him DG. 4779299. Normally $25.95 the Piano Concerto No. 22. EM new seven-CD box-set with local pianist Timothy Young is a one-off Our special price $21.95 (while stocks last) focuses on his theatre for Melba Recordings. Diversions is a The theme of Lisa Batiashvili’s brilliant DG

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What is it that makes a person a boy or a girl? For every person in every society, gender has a For many years reading fundamental affect on Alan Ramsey’s vitriolic, what we choose, how we confronting but live, and how we think always engaging and about the world and how insightful pieces in the the world sees us. Sydney Morning Herald Sex is one of the most was a standard feature powerfully defining of Saturday mornings concepts that we have. for many Australians. Of course, we assume that we know what this This collection of his gender thing is: boys best articles includes an are boys, girls are girls. original essay on events Sex is fixed, biologically in Australian politics determined, simple. since his retirement. But what if it isn’t? www.unswpress.com.au

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The Wise Man’s Fear The saTurDay Big TenT Patrick Rothfuss WeDDing ParTy sequel to the extraordinary The name of the Wind, The Alexander McCall Smith Wise Man’s Fear is the second installment of this superb The twelfth novel in the wonderful no. 1 Ladies’ fantasy trilogy from Patrick rothfuss. Detective agency series, from master storyteller Picking up the tale of Kvothe Kingkiller once again, we alexander McCall smith. follow him into exile, into political intrigue, courtship, The day of Mma Makutsi’s long-awaited wedding to adventure, love and magic...and further along the path her beloved Phuti radiphuti, proprietor of the Double that has turned Kvothe, the mightiest magician of his age, Comfort Furniture shop, is finally approaching. But a legend in his own time, into Kote, the unassuming pub that scheming minx Violet sephotho has developed landlord. political ambitions which could jeopardise not only Packed with as much magic, adventure and home-grown the wedding preparations but the fate of the entire drama as The name of the Wind, this is a sequel in every nation of Botswana, and Mma ramotswe and Mma way the equal to its predecessor and a must-read for all Makutsi must take action to quash them. Meanwhile fantasy fans. readable, engaging and gripping The Wise Charlie, the incorrigible apprentice at Tlokweng road Man’s Fear is the biggest and the best new fantasy novel speedy Motors, has become involved with a young out there. woman, and is now being called upon to face up to the responsibilities of fatherhood. Can kind, wise Precious help him to do the right thing?

The suMMer WiThouT Men Siri Hustvedt saTori out of the blue, your husband of thirty years asks you Don Winslow for a pause in your marriage to indulge his infatuation nicholai hel exploded onto the scene in Trevanian's with a young Frenchwoman. Do you assume it’s a 1970s blockbuster shibumi, which sold over 2 million passing affair and play along? angrily declare the copies around the world. now critically acclaimed marriage over? or crack up? Mia Fredricksen cracks novelist Don Winslow has been chosen to continue up first, then decamps for the summer to the prairie the story and reveals how nicholai hel became the town of her childhood, where she rages, fumes, and world's most dangerous assassin. From the glittering bemoans her sorry fate. But little by little, she is corruption of Beijing to the darkest shadows of the drawn into the lives of those around her. Provocative, Vietnam jungle, this is a world of chaos, violence and mordant, and fiercely intelligent, The summer Without imminent betrayal. Men is a vivacious tragi-comedy about women and girls, love and marriage, and the age-old war between the sexes – a novel for our times by the internationally bestselling siri hustvedt.