Free August 2011 Readings Monthly

Meg Mundell on Adrian Hyland • Steven Carroll • Amos Oz see page 5 cover image from of sophie cunningham’s melbourne see page

Sophie Cunningham’s Melbourne p 12

Highlights of August book, CD & DVD new releases. More inside.

NOn-fiction aus fiction fiction aus fiction young adult DVD POp CD CLASSICAL $32.95 $27.95 $29.95 $30 $24.95 $27.95 $19.95 $39.95. $26.95 $21.95 $21.95 Ebook $14.96 >> p5 >> p7 Ebook $16.38 Ebook $14.95 Blu-ray $44.95 >> p18 >> p19 >> p4 >> p6 >> p10 >> p17

August event highlights : Liam Jurrah at Readings Carlton. Plus: MoVida’s Frank Camorra & Richard Cornish at Readings Hawthorn. More inside.

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 new look Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are here. Discover the 21 shortlisted titles across five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry and Young Adult. Cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award before the winners are announced on 6th September. Go to wheelercentre.com and get reading. 2 Readings Monthly August 2011

From the Editor Meet the bookseller with … It’s just past the mid-year ThisPrime Ministe r’s Month’sReadings News MIFF DVD sale Dani Solomon, Readings Carlton mark, and I’ve been thinking Literary Award on to 31 August about my favourite books of Winners MIFF is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary the year (so far). That list is The winners of this year’s PM’s Literary in July 2011 and Readings are celebrating on our website. Here, I with a DVD sale at all shops (except State thought I’d share a couple of Awards have been announced. The fiction prize went to Perth-based, New Zealand- Library) and online. A wonderful selection 2011 books that at first of titles including cult, art-house, Australian passed me by, but I’ve born writer Stephen Daisley for his debut novel, Traitor (Text, PB, $23.95), about a and foreign films are all on sale for $19.95 recently read and loved. The first is Dominic until August 31. Titles include: Coco Chanel, Smith’s Bright and Distant Shores (A&U, PB, New Zealand soldier and a Turkish doctor bound together in the chaos of Gallipoli. Control, Down by Law, Exit Through the Gift $29.99, March), a historical novel (not my Shop, Harvie Krumpet, In the Loop, Lantana, usual thing), set between the islands of the The non-fiction winner was Rod Moss for Hard Light of Day Let the Right One In, The September Issue, Ten South Pacific and the skyscrapers of Chi- (UQP, PB, $39.95). Why do you work in books? This brilliant blend of reportage and memoir Canoes, Wake in Fright, When You’re Strange cago. The pivotal characters are Argus, a and Paris, Texas. MIFF runs from 21 July to It really is as simple as I love reading Melanesian houseboy in love with Western (our New Australian Writing feature title last May) reports back on the writer’s 30 7 August 2011. Readings are a proud spon- books, so what better place to work civilisation – particularly books and Christi- sor. www.miff.com.au than a place that sells them? anity, and Owen Graves, an explorer, years spent living and working alongside the Arrente people of Alice Springs. It’s illustrat- collector and entrepreneur, who hopes to James Halliday Offer What’s the best book you’ve read lately make enough money from his latest voyage, ed with 50 colour reproductions of Moss’s and why? James funded by insurance king Hale Gray, to paintings. The young adult fiction prize was Buy a copy of the Graffiti Moon Halliday Australian Wine I really enjoyed Steve Hely’s How I finally marry his girlfriend of four years, won by Cath Crowley’s (Pan, PB, $16.99), a novel that spends an intense Companion 2012 at Readings Became a Famous Novelist. It appealed Ada. The catch? First, Owen must bring to my natural cynicism of ‘bestseller’ along Hale’s dilettante son, a keen amateur and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of in August and be in with a four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, chance to win a dozen bottles books while at the same time allowing naturalist, and a dolt. Second, his commis- me to still secretly love them. sion includes bringing back ‘several natives of HSC, of finding out just who they are of wine from Kooyong and related by blood’ for Hale to exhibit on the and who they want to be. And the children’s Port Phillip Estate, the What have you noticed people buying Shake rooftop of his new skyscraper. Third, Ada fiction prize went to the picture book Australian Wine Compan- lately? a Leg has a strong social conscience and disap- (A&U, HB, $24.99), a collaboration ion’s Winery of the Year for 2012. There’s a between an indigenous author from North case of wine to be won at every shop (except George R.R. Martin’s A Dance with proves of the idea of transplanting people as Dragons, the fifth book in the Song of live sideshows. There’s a lot going on in this Queensland, Boori Monty Pryor, and West online). Fill out an entry form, attach your Australian illustrator Jan Ormerod. receipt and hand in at the counter at any Ice and Fire series. It despairs me that absorbing novel, which is rich with ideas some people refuse to class sci-fi and and beautifully written and characterised. Readings shop. Competition closes 31August. Readings Foundation: Please note only winners will be notified. fantasy as literature, so I’m always very Admittedly, the first 50 or so pages are a Applications open! happy when they sell well. bit overwritten, but it’s very much worth Oslo Davis: persevering with. The Readings Foundation supports Victori- What’s the strangest experience you’ve an individuals and organisations that wish to Drawn From Life had in a bookshop? Another one is Me and Mr Booker (Text, further the development of Literacy, Com- Readings’ resident cartoonist Oslo Davis PB, $32.95, March), the debut novel from munity work and the Arts. A grant from has been hard at work lately ... and not I once had a customer refer to the Cory Taylor about a 16-year-old growing The Readings Foundation is a wonderful op- just working on the cartoon on this page! biography section as ‘True Fiction’, a up in a large regional town who, bored and portunity for individuals and arts organisa- He’s the editor of a free graphic newspaper, phrase which I love and have taken surrounded by aimless adults, gets involved on as my own. tions with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Drawn from Life, created for the Melbourne in an affair with droll, debonair English status to be able to bring their creative or Writers’ Festival and distributed at train sta- newcomer Mr Booker, a 35-year-old film What’s the best experience you’ve had in literacy-related projects to life. Applications tions across Melbourne on Friday 26 August. a bookshop? lecturer. I’d heard feedback on this from two open Wednesday 31 August 2011 and must It’s an amazing project, featuring some of extremes – some who hated it, finding the be lodged by 5pm on Friday 28 October Australia’s – and the world’s – best graphic Every time I serve a customer who buys teen narrator too knowing and the set-up a book I like!! 2011. Final decisions about projects will artists, including Shaun Tan, Mandy Ord, and characters unrealistic, while others be made by the Board of Trustees by Bruce Petty, Nicki Greenberg, First Dog on LOVED it. Benjamin Law, who reviewed What’s your favourite book of all time Wednesday 30 November 2011. For the Moon, Judy Horacek and international and why? it for Readings in April, was one of the more information or to download an cartooning superstar Jim Woodring. It will enthusiasts, as was Krissy Kneen (author application form (available from 31 August), also be available free at MWF. For details, Not so much a book as an author. of Affection). Then I saw it discussed on please visit www.readings.com.au. see www.mwf.com.au. Don’t miss out! Terry Pratchett taught me you can say the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club, with far more with a dragon and a magic panelists Jennifer Byrne, Marieke Hardy, sword than you can with a human Jason Steger, David Vann (brilliant author of alone. Before I got into his Discworld Legend of a Suicide and Caribou Island) and series I left sci-fi and fantasy alone, Anh Do. Though there was a bit of to-and- thinking it had nothing much for any- fro, the general consensus was positive. Da- one over the age of 16. Now most of vid Vann said, ‘it’s a coming-of-age story via my favourite books have a little bit of a very smart and funny voice who sees that magic in them somewhere! problem that all the adults are having and is trying not to go there, really’. Me? Name a book that has changed the way I’m on the yes side. What David said. you think – in ways small or large. So, you ask, what were my favourites of I find if I read Sherlock Holmes for too the year so far? Okay. Among them are long in one sitting, it changes the way the brilliant Malcolm Knox’s novel about I think about everything! I can’t look at surfing, celebrity and masculinity, The Life anyone without trying to deduce their (A&U, PB, Normally $33, Our special price entire life story from a tiny scuffmark on their right shoe. Everyone’s a suspect! $27.95), Craig Sherborne’s darkly funny re- lationship novel The Amateur Science of Love What was your favourite book as a kid? (Text, PB, $32.95), Meg Mundell’s nail- biting novel set in a dystopian Melbourne, My first ever favourite book was Emily Black Glass (Scribe, PB, Normally $32.95, Rodda’s Pigs Might Fly. This was the Our special price $27.95) and David Vann’s first time I became aware that books story of a doomed couple, set in Alaska, are doorways to other worlds and it is ‘It’s obvious a woman wrote this : in the end the protagonist slits her husband's throat.’ Caribou Island (Viking, PB, $24.95). the book directly responsible for my continued love of reading today. —Jo Case Oslo Davis www.oslodavis.com

CINEMA NOVA RECOMMENDS Visit the new Cinema Nova Bar MIA WASIKOWSKA MICHAEL FASSBENDER JUDY DENCH THETHE IILLLULUSSIIOONNIISSTT JANE EYRE ★★★★ Oscar Nominee: Charlotte Brontë’s passionate, moody tale of a principled young woman’s struggle Roger Ebert Best Animated Feature 380 LYGON ST CARLTON against convention and circumstance is brought to the screen by Cary Fukunaga. www.cinemanova.com.au “Both faithful to Charlotte Brontë’s Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets Of Belleville) adapts an unproduced screenplay by Online bookings available French auteur Jacques Tati (Playtime) in a touching tale of a lonely magician. classic & distinctively original.” Join our e-news for updates on the Met Opera, COMMENCES JULY 28, EXCLUSIVE TO NOVA National Theatre and other stage spectaculars. COMMENCES AUGUST 11 USA Today Readings Monthly August 2011 3

her insights into what constitutes a full life. Thursday 11 August, 6.30pm, Readings Thursday 18 August, 6.30pm, Readings St Carlton. Free, no need to book. Kilda. Free, but please book on 9525 3852. Penni Russon This wonderful YA novel Only Ever Always EventsAll our Readings book and music eventsin are August 23 (A&U, PB, $16.99) explores dreams, grief, entry by gold coin donation to The Readings 9 Sidney Bloch friendship and love through a brilliantly Foundation, unless otherwise stated. Please in conversation with constructed dystopian fantasy world. Sunday Liam Jurrah note that bookings do not guarantee a seat, with Bruce MacKinnon Barbara Hocking 14 July, 2pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no but rather indicate to us the number of people Book signing Understanding Troubled Minds: A Guide to need to book. to expect. For more events and updates see the Known as the ‘Warlpiri Warrior’, the Mental Illness and Its Treatment (MUP, PB, events calendar at www.readings.com.au. $39.99) is a clear and invaluable account of Mandy Ord ‘Jurrahcane’ and ‘Cougar’, Melbourne Mandy Ord’s new graphic book, Sensitive Demons player Liam Jurrah is a rising star mental illness in all its manifestations. Psy- chiatrist Sidney Bloch will be in conversation Creatures (A&U, PB, $24.99), contains 2 of the AFL, known for his startling displays wonderfully off-beat stories that reveal with of football skill and artistry. The Liam Jurrah with Barbara Hocking, the CEO of SANE. Tuesday 23 August, 6.30pm, Readings poetic power the intimate, mundane and Frank Camorra Story From Yuendumu to the MCG by Bruce & Richard cornish Hawthorn. Free, book on 9819 1917. extraordinary moments in everyday urban Hearn Mackinnon (MUP, PB, $24.99) tells life. Thursday 18 August, 6.30pm. Readings We are lucky to have the the incredible journey travelled by Liam, a Carlton. Free, no need to book. company of Frank Camorra Warlpiri man, from the remote Aboriginal and Richard Cornish as they desert community of Yuendumu to the 29 Carolyn Morwood talk to us about their new MCG, as the first fully initiated Aboriginal Pages to Poetry 2: venture, MoVida’s Guide to Carolyn’s latest novel Death and the Spanish to play football at an elite level. Liam will jaya savige Lady (Pulp Fiction, PB, $21.95) is a murder Barcelona (MUP, PB, Tuesday 9 be with us for one hour only! Join us for a glass of red and a reading from mystery set in Melbourne in 1919, at the $32.99). In this wonderful August, 4.30pm, Readings Carlton. Jaya’s new collection, Surface to Air (UQP, time of the Spanish Flu pandemic. Friday book, Frank, chef of the Free, but please book on 9347 6633. PB, $24.95). His first collection, latecomers, renowned Spanish restaurant MoVida, 19 August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. was awarded the Kenneth Slessor Prize for Free, no need to book. teams up with award-winning food writer Poetry. Since 2006, he has been poetry edi- Richard to provide a beautifully illustrated 11 tor of the Australian Literary Review. He is insider’s guide to Barcelona – one of the Felice Arena Paul Daley currently a Gates Scholar at Christ’s College, Whippersnapper (Penguin, PB, $14.95) is most exciting travel destinations in the Monday 29 August, 6.30pm, & Michael Bowers Cambridge. the new book from Felice Arena, creator of world today. Tuesday 2 August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no need to book. Readings Hawthorn. Bookings essential: in conversation Specky Magee, BoyzRule, GirlzRock and 9819 1917 or in person at the Hawthorn with Bryan Dawe Farticus Maximus. Sunday 21 August, 2pm, shop only. $45 per person. Includes a Armageddon: Two Men on an Anzac Trail 30 Readings Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. signed first edition copy of the book and a by Paul Daley & Michael Bowers (Miegu- Kylie Ladd wonderful glass of Spanish wine. nyah, HB, Normally $49.99, Our special Danny Fahey price $39.95) is the story of the Australian in conversation The Tree Singer (Dragonfall Press) is the Light Horse, who fought a series of epic with Kerri Sackville story of Jacob, who is trapped in a dying 3 and bloody battles against the Turkish army Join us for a glass of wine as Kylie talks village until Simon the Healer appears and Nick Earls across the deserts of the Middle East. The about her new book, Last Summer (A&U, everything begins to miraculously transform. authors retraced the steps of the men and PB, $29.99). Last Summer is the story of Wednesday 24 August, 6.30pm, Readings Nick is the author of 14 books, including boys who fought there. They will be joined Rory, an all-round good-guy who is the Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. bestselling novels Zigzag Street, Bachelor in conversation by comedian and social centre of every party and a loving father and Kisses and 48 Shades of Brown. His latest commentator Bryan Dawe. Thursday 11 husband. Then, one summer’s afternoon, book, The Fix (Vintage, PB, $32.95), com- Ouyang Yu August, 6.30pm, Readings Hawthorn. tragedy strikes ... Kylie will be chatting with bines the warmth and humour we’ve come Loose: A Wild History is a hybrid of fiction and Free, but please book on 9819 1917. Kerri Sackville, author of When my Hus- to expect from Nick with a dash of the new, non-fiction, experimenting with language and band Does the Dishes. Tuesday 30 August, as he ventures into the detective genre for structure. Wednesday 24 August, 6.30pm, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, but the first time. It’s the story of Josh, who has Readings Carlton. Free, no need to book. 11 please book on 9347 6633. always dreamed of investigative journal- ism, exposing corruption and changing the Christine Nixon Phil Kafcaloudes world for the better. Wednesday 3 August, Christine Nixon, formerly Victoria’s Chief Someone Else’s War (Bookpal, PB, $29.99) 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, but please Commissioner of Police, will talk about tells the story of Phil’s maternal grand- book on 9347 6633. her career and new autobiography Fair Cop mother, who was a spy in Greece in World (MUP, PB, $34.99). At the peak of her po- JessicaLaunches Au War II. Jon Faine will launch this fascinating licing career, Christine battled bureaucracy, Sophie Cunningham will launch Jessica Au’s account of an extraordinary life. Friday 26 4 corruption and terrorism, as well as enemies debut novel, Cargo (Picador, PB, $19.99), August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, Caroline Brothers within her own ranks. Thursday 11 August, a breathtaking coming-of-age story that no need to book. 6.30pm, Cinema Nova. Free, but please Hinterland (Bloomsbury, PB, $29.99) tells follows the lives and loves of Gillian, Jacob book on 9347 6633. and Frankie, set in a Victorian seaside town. the story of two young brothers hiding out on the road, running for their lives. Monday 1 August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no need to book. It’s a common occurrence across the globe, 11 Special Kids’ Events children fleeing their homes – running from violence, poverty or war – and look- Mark evans in Michael Nest ing for a better life. Countless young people conversation Tim Costello will launch Michael Nest’s Coltan in September Scholastic and Readings present a day of tales the world over find themselves underage, with Paul Cashmere (Polity Press, PB, $27.95). In 2000, the United for readers aged 9 to 14 years old and of course, homeless and invisible in a foreign land. Nations sent a team to investigate the relation- Rock and roll is here to stay! their parents. The cafe at our Hawthorn shop, Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm, Dirty Deeds ship between violence and the exploitation (A&U, PB, Bread and Jam for Frances, will be open. Readings Hawthorn. Free, but please $32.99) is an honest, of coltan and other natural resources in the book on 9819 1917. revealing and sometimes Congo. Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm, laugh-out-loud memoir of Readings Carlton. Free, no need to book. 3 one of Australian music’s Maggie Stiefvater 8 noisiest quiet achievers – Steven Carroll Pages to Poetry 1 Mark Evans, the original Gary Moorehead will launch award-winning Maggie is the New York Times bestselling bass player from AC/DC. He will be in author Steven Carroll’s latest novel, Spirit author of Shiver, hailed by Publishers Weekly It’s cold out there, but there’s poetry inside as ‘a lyrical tale’. Since publication, rights … Join us for the next in our regular series conversation with Paul Cashmere, editor- of Progress (HarperCollins, PB, $29.95, in-chief of Undercover, the music industry’s comes with free copy of Carroll’s The Lost to 32 foreign editions of Shiver have been of events where Australian poets read from licensed. Linger, the second book in the their work. This month, join us for the pre-eminent online publication. Thursday Life), a prequel to the Glenroy trilogy. Shiver trilogy, debuted at number one on wonderful words of Mark Treddinick, Dan 11 August, 6.30pm, Readings St Kilda. Friday 5 August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, but please book on 9525 3852. Free, no need to book. The New York Times bestseller list. Saturday Disney and Kent MacCarter. Monday 8 3 September, 10.30am, Readings Haw- August, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. thorn. Free, but please book on 9819 1917. Free, no need to book. Hanifa Deen 18 UWA Publishing and the National Centre of Dalia Millingen Excellence for Islamic Studies (NCEIS) invite you to the launch of Ali Abdul vs. the King: 3 9 in conversation Emily Rodda Maria V. Snyder Muslim Stories from the Dark Days of White with Mark Rubbo Australia (UWA, PB, $26.95) by academic, Emily Rodda is the author of the out- Maria V. Snyder's first novel, Poison Study, The Changing Forms of Clouds: A Memoir of writer and social commentator Hanifa Deen. standingly successful Deltora Quest novels. made The New York Times bestseller list. Her Life, Love and Longing (Hybrid, PB, $29.95) Wednesday 10 August, 6.30pm, Readings Don’t miss Emily will talking about The latest, Outside In (HarperCollins, PB, $19.99) is Dalia Millingen’s story of her life and the Carlton. Free, no need to book. Golden Door (Omnibus, PB, $16.99), encapsulates her desire to ensure all readers lessons she’s learned along the way. As she the first in her new Three Doors trilogy, think outside their very own world. Don’t says, ‘The gaining of wisdom is such hard Tim Richards peopled by monsters and supernatural miss this chance to meet and hear Maria. work, but the only thing really worth doing beings. Saturday 3 September, 12pm, Tuesday 9 August, 5pm, Readings Thought Crimes(Black Inc., PB, $27.95) is with a life.’ Our very own Mark Rubbo will Readings Hawthorn. Free, but please Hawthorn. Free, but book on 9819 1917. a collection of irresistibly inventive short be in conversation with Dalia, as they talk of stories from a master of the satirical twist. book on 9819 1917. 4 Readings Monthly August 2011

New Australian Writing Feature

AMeg Mundell world interviews Adrian Hyland about in Kinglake-350 flames (Text, PB, Normally $32.95, Our price $27.95, Ebook $14.96)

Wood was initially hesitant about being to save lives. Hyland describes single acts the book’s protagonist, but gradually came of heroism, noting that many more went around. ‘Being a novelist I wanted to ap- unrecorded. proach the story through people, rather than What sets Kinglake-350 apart is its strong, ideas – to try and capture it through the agile storytelling – particularly Hyland’s eyes of one person,’ says Hyland. Sharing skill for weaving together small, tell- the community’s grief and distress, he trod ing details with big-picture concerns like carefully, only interviewing close friends climate change, weather pattern complexity, and people he already knew. ‘Some people the failings of fire management policy and lost their whole families. I didn’t want to Australia’s historical relationship with fire: cause them even more trauma. I cut a lot ‘My aim was to “understand” the disaster of things out of the book.’ Particularly from every perspective – meteorologi- affecting are the ‘snapshots’ retelling the cal, fire science, psychological, cultural ... experiences of two families trapped in their But in all these things I tried to bring the homes as the fires struck. To recreate a sense novelist’s technique to bear, to approach of ‘being there’, he joined Wood to retrace them through the human.’ The drought, for his route that day, while the policeman shut example, is introduced by Wood picking his eyes and recalled sensory details – the up a handful of highly flammable leaf litter, fire’s jet-like roar, the heavy smoke and thinking about the complex forces that crashing trees. Wood himself sustained seri- have primed the bush for ignition. ous long-term injuries in the blaze. But the real lesson of Black Saturday is One of the most troubling aspects of Black that we’ve failed to learn from the past – Saturday is that the communities it de- from Black Thursday (1851), Red Tuesday stroyed received no official warning. Caught (1898), Black Friday (1939), Ash Wednes- unaware by the firestorm’s speed and feroc- day (1983), Black Tuesday (1967) and the ity, people were thrown into panicked chaos, Canberra firestorm (2003). ‘This wasn’t a freak event. It was a natural event that will Adrian Hyland is best blasting hot winds, a broken water-pump, happen again,’ says Hyland. ‘Fire needs known as the author a handful of bone-dry leaf-litter. After to be taken seriously at an individual and of the award-winning several days of 40-plus heat, and 12 years of ‘What sets Kinglake-350 societal level.’ If the wind hadn’t changed (and hugely enjoyable) drought, it’s the worst forecast on record. A direction suddenly that day, Warrandyte, crime novels, Diamond lone smoke plume is spotted 50 kilometres apart is its strong, Greensborough and Eltham might also have Dove and Gunshot away, and bang – the tinderbox dryness of been engulfed. The verdant Dandenong Road, both set in the the bush explodes into a monster firestorm agile storytelling – ranges, the leafy suburbs and thriving na- Australian outback that hurls out embers for kilometres ahead. tive gardens of outer-suburban Melbourne: and featuring indig- Australia’s most devastating bushfire screams particularly Hyland’s all remain at risk, says Hyland. enous amateur sleuth out of control before the region’s inhabitants Emily Tempest. He’s also a resident can draw breath, closing roads and trapping skill for weaving As the world’s most fireprone country, of the region caught up in the Black Satur- thousands in the danger zone: Hyland says we’re out of touch with our day bushfires, and his new non-fiction book, together small, environment; a CSIRO study found two Kinglake-350 (Text, PB, Normally $32.95, ‘… a firebomb the size of a caravan comes million Australian homes are within 700 Our special price $27.95, Ebook $14.96) is whirling out of the sky [and] ignites the sur- telling details with metres of fire zones. He contrasts Ab- a brilliant work of reportage on those fires, rounding bush, starting an instantaneous con- original people’s skilful ecology of fire, already earning accolades from the likes of flagration that goes racing away. This process big-picture concerns’ a targeted practice of mosaic-patterned Kerry O’Brien, Anna Krien and Cate Ken- is repeated a thousand, a million times over as ‘firestick farming’ that evolved over tens of nedy. Meg Mundell interviewed Adrian the fire careers down from Kilmore East. The thousands of years, with the grand-scale, for Readings’ New Australian Writing series. front is like a spiral nebula, whirling through land-razing burn-offs of white settlement, space and spraying great arcs of energy in every forced to make split-second decisions with producing rich swathes of pyrophiliac (fire- direction.’ potentially massive consequences. Some loving) plants in their wake. As towns grew, had fire plans, but often this wasn’t enough. people then tried to suppress fire altogether, Our guide to Black Saturday’s unfolding As Hyland puts it, ‘I’ve lived in the bush causing massive overgrowth: a recipe for horror is Roger Wood, Kinglake’s popular t takes a courageous writer to tackle a in Victoria for 20 years. I thought we were disaster. The Australian landscape needs local copper, who was on duty that day really well prepared, that we’d be alright. A fire – but this gung-ho approach is deadly, disaster story in which the characters (‘Kinglake-350’ was his radio call-sign). Like are real people, and their trauma is lot of people thought that, and a lot of them and Hyland warns that future fires will be many others, Wood risked his life defend- died.’ Many were trapped in the Kinglake worse than ever. He also tackles the disturb- far from over. It can be daunting for ing the town, even as the fire threatened his the reader too, bearing witness to a ranges, with fire closing in on all sides; over ing crime of arson, which requires ‘little own family. The story is told with startling 2000 homes were destroyed, and cornered more than a box of matches, a lonely road tragedy that almost defies description: you immediacy through the eyes of Wood and a need to know you’re in safe hands, that the CFA fire-fighters took desperate calls for and a twisted mind’. With an estimated handful of fellow rescuers and survivors: fire- help from people they could not reach. 20–30,000 fires deliberately lit each year, authorI will do justice to those who survived fighters, police, local residents. At points the it’s a crime we can’t afford to ignore. it. And those who did not. story leaps ahead briefly, like the fire itself, As Hyland writes, ‘Few who were in the In Kinglake-350, an inside account of the giving glimpses of the gathering disaster. Kinglake Ranges that day are ready to After Black Saturday, Hyland joined the Black Saturday bushfires which claimed 173 forgive the failure of the authorities to CFA. Bouncing around in the fire truck Hyland himself doesn’t appear in the nar- warn anybody in the path of the fire – even he shared the firies’ recollections of that lives and shattered many more, Adrian rative, but this is his own community he’s Hyland honours this completely. His novel- those responsible for community safety, the day, and at training he felt first-hand what writing about. ‘Roger is a good friend of local emergency services personnel, the fire heat and flame can do to human flesh. ist’s sharp eye for detail gives the book a mine, and our kids are best friends, they go cracking pace and vivid immediacy, but captains and coppers – that it was coming Kinglake-350 includes stories of hope and to school together,’ says Hyland, who lives in … many of those affected by the fire still healing in the aftermath, but Hyland knows for all its terror the tale unfolds with great nearby St Andrews, which narrowly escaped compassion and sensitivity. It’s gutsy and struggle to contain their anger.’ Just min- the recovering community may not wish the fire. After driving their daughters to utes before the fire hit them, many people to relive their trauma on the page. ‘They’ve honest, but never ghoulish or gratuitous. It’s school daily through a blackened, post-apoc- a rewarding, if often heart-rending, read – were sitting at home in front of a computer suffered enough. The book is more aimed alyptic landscape, the two men would talk. screen that told them it was 30 kilometres at the wider world. Fire is a huge killer, and and one that will forever change the way you ‘Like everyone, I was in a state of disbelief,’ think about our relationship with fire. away. The book doesn’t dwell on blame, we still don’t understand it properly.’ he says. ‘We lost a lot of friends, went to but describes the emotional aftershock that The book opens with Lisa Jacobson’s moving about ten funerals. I first started writing fire-affected communities are still struggling Meg Mundell is the author of Black Glass poem ‘Girls and Horses in the Fire’, and just to try and understand what happened: to deal with. It also explores the psychol- (Scribe, PB, Normally $32.95, Our special builds a sense of impending menace via im- how did this bloody nightmare come out of ogy of how people behave in a disaster: price $27.95). ages from the morning of 7 February 2009: nowhere?’ some stuck to protocols, others broke rules Readings Monthly August 2011 5

Mark’s say Book of the Month News and views from Readings’ spirit of progress Sophie Cunningham managing director Mark Rubbo Steven Carroll Fourth Estate. PB. $29.95 talks Melbourne The John Button Prize, Special offer: receive free copy of The Lost Jo Case interviews Sophie Cunningham on Melbourne (New South, HB, $29.95, EBook $14.96) now in its third year, Life (worth $29.95) with your purchase will be announced Spirit of Progress is a long one indeed and inevitably I’m not – during this year’s wonderfully Melbourne and never will be – convinced I’ve made all Melbourne Writers book, with a rich cast of the right choices. Festival. At a time characters. It’s a prequel when attempts to develop or even to Steven Carroll’s Your passion for Australian Rules football discuss good policy are increasingly much-loved Glenroy – one shared by most Victorians – comes compromised and attacked, the criteria trilogy, featuring engine through clearly in this book. What is it that for the prize have been adjusted to driver Vic, wife Rita and you love so much about it? reflect this. This year the prize of son Michael, catching the family poised God, I don’t think I can answer that ques- $20,000 will be presented to the best on the brink of entering the world of tion briefly. We cut about 10,000 words piece of thinking and writing on a subject these books: Rita is pregnant with of AFL from the book and there’s still of public policy — not, as previously, on Michael, and the novel ends with them heaps there, as you say. At first I loved politics and public policy. And Dr visiting the wooden frame that will the theatre of the game. There’s nothing Michael Keating, former Secretary of the become their family home, in a suburb like arriving at the MCG when it’s close Department of Prime Minister and in the process of being born. There were so many surprises for me in to full and hearing the roar of the crowd, Cabinet, joins the judging panel. Now reading this book – that a waterfall once seeing the vivid green of the grass, and that I am a grandfather, I often wonder The novel’s centre – the character who fell where Queen Street in the city meets the the players running onto the ground. I what kind of world these very beloved will tenuously link Vic and Rita with river; that much of the Queen Vic markets also enjoyed the way footy injected a kind little people will grow up in. To see an artist, a journalist and a gallery are built on what was Melbourne’s first of personality into the city – I’m thinking people put their own short-to-medium- owner – is Vic’s aunt, Miss Carroll, formal cemetery, and bodies were exhumed of radio like the Couldabeens here – that term self-interest ahead of our grandchil- an old woman living in a tent on the to accommodate an expansion; that general approach to commentary that dren’s future is most disheartening. Most fringes of the city. As her name hints, Dimmeys on Swan Street, Richmond, can also be applied to politics and other rational people will no doubt be sad- she is based on Carroll’s real-life relative, was Melbourne’s first department store. things. Then, as I watched the game more dened by the atrocious attack on what an aunt who was the subject of Sidney What were some of your favourite over the years, I came to appreciate the scientific and economic experts agree is Nolan’s famous painting, Woman and surprises in researching the book? incredible skill involved in playing it. And ‘not a bad’ climate policy, by vociferous Tent. Journalist and newspaper art critic George is sent to cover the story of the I think the biggest – maybe not fa- I was lucky enough to publish great footy sections of the Opposition and groups mysterious old woman, a kind of last vourite! – surprise was that the Queen writers, like Martin Flanagan, which with a vested self-interest. The Button pioneer, ‘a walking image of the way Victoria markets are built on a cemetery fanned the flames. I’m also lucky (forgive Prize is a timely one. things once were’. Artist Sam sees her (that’s from Jeff and Jill Sparrow’s Radical me for being partisan here) because bar- And now is the time when publishers photograph and is mesmerised by the Melbourne). I was also pretty amazed racking for Geelong has meant the last 20 start to reveal to us booksellers what idea of painting her. ‘She is, reasons, by some of the recent history of the years have had incredible lows and highs. delights they have in store for our both history and alive, myth and fact. gang wars in Melbourne – the way they The drama of it becomes very compelling. shelves –and for you, dear readers. A gift.’ Through him we meet Tess, an seemed to touch upon so many aspects Our annual Summer Reading Guide, influential gallery owner and Sam’s mar- of Melbourne society (though a lot of The weather – water and the lack of it, fire, and extremes of heat and cold – is central to out in November, is a collaborative ried former lover. that didn’t make it into the book). I also effort between some of Australia’s best was really fascinated by the history of this book, from its opening during the sear- This is Melbourne, 1946, a time when ing temperatures of Black Saturday 2009, to booksellers; usually our selection panel the Yarra (thanks to Kristin Otto’s book, includes me, Readings’ book guru, ‘every writer and artist in this coun- Yarra) and, as I suppose becomes obvious, its closing during the wet summer of 2010. try goes ... away’. Both George, who In fact, you call Melbourne’s weather the Martin Shaw, Gleebooks’ David Gaunt with the fact that much of Melbourne and Catherine Schulz from Fullers in counts Hemingway among his heroes used to be wetlands. I wanted to think city’s ‘nemesis’. Did you always know how and dreams of being a novelist, and central weather would be to the book? Hobart. This year we added the owners about how that watery history still affects of two excellent Brisbane bookshops, Sam, already recognised as a future star, the landscape. As well as new discoveries The first decision I made about the book Fiona Stager from Avid Reader and Suzy are marking time until they can leave. there were old stories I rediscovered and was to structure it around the seasons. Wilson from Riverbend Books. Between Meanwhile, George is in love with his fell in love with all over again –the fact The joke about Melbourne used to be us we have around 120 years experience, profession as a newspaperman, and his that Picasso’s Weeping Woman was nicked that it always rained but when I began but we’ve found the pace of the role in producing ‘the words that make from the National Gallery by art activists the book it had barely rained for years. dramatic changes in the industry quite up the continuing conversation that being a case in point. It speaks volumes I wanted to play with that idea – the astounding. The final demise of Borders goes on every day all around him, on the about the kind of place Melbourne is. difference between the cliché about in the US hopefully caps off a year of footpaths and trams and in the trains of Melbourne and the truth of that decade change in the US and Australia. the city’. Read now, as newspapers dwin- You write that Melbourne is a city of ‘inside of drought. As well, I feel very strongly dle fast, his easy passion for his work is places and conversation ... a city that lives about the whole climate change debate. However, we all did agree on the quality bittersweet and hopelessly romantic. in its head’. Do you think this has played The drought and the heat of that sum- of the new books that are about to a part in creating the rich cultural scene mer of 2009 really bought home ques- come out. In the later part of this year, Devotion to work of all kinds runs – theatre, film, art, music and publishing – tions around the fact that Melbourne is there are some great treats coming from through the novel – when Vic visits that you chart in the book? (all cities are) going to experience more Australian writers. Anna Funder, author Tess’s gallery on his aunt’s behalf, he overhears the painters talking about Absolutely. Things that can be frustrating and more extreme weather. Where does of the acclaimed Stasiland, has her first shop, recognises it as similar to the talk about Melbourne – a certain closed-in and that leave us? What does that mean? I novel, All That I Am, out in September; of his engine driver colleagues, and claustrophobic feel – have, in fact, resulted committed to the project (in my head, Alex Miller’s Autumn Laing is out in considers that maybe his work, too, in what makes the place special. The old I mean!) on Black Saturday – the day October; Gillian Mears’ Foal’s Bread is ‘a sort of art’. Rita, standing in her two-sides-of-the-same-coin business. The that it was 47 degrees and the bushfires is her first novel since 1995; Alice kitchen, reflects that her frying pans kind of cultural discussions I tried to map exploded. I felt a pressing need to write Pung follows her immensely popular are ‘layered with tales and memories’ out when I was editing Meanjin also make about what was a very traumatic time for Unpolished Gem with another memoir, and that ‘there’s no reason that the talk their way into the book and I quote from Melbourne and Victoria. Her Father’s Daughter (September); [in her kitchen] should be thought of essays I published during my three years Elliot Perlman’s third novel, The Street as small, and the stories being so little, there – that adds to its conversational ‘Melbourne’s a city you get to know from the Sweeper, is out in October; and in so insignificant, that they’re not really quality, I think. inside out – you have to walk it to love it.’ September, we’ll see Kate Grenville’s What are some of your favourite Melbourne sequel to The Secret River, Sarah worth recording’. These thoughts, taken This book is part of what is shaping up to be walks? Thornhill. It will be a tough job judging together, and the way Vic’s ordinary family is woven with the stories of these an iconic series of books on Australia’s major There are a couple of formal walks I like to Australian fiction prizes next year. people who will be significant in public cities, alongside Delia Falconer’s Sydney, do: around Albert Park Lake, along Merri I intend to read all of them – not as a life – Tess, George, Sam – suggests that Matthew Condon’s Brisbane, and others. Creek. I walk around Carlton Gardens judge, thank heavens! there are stories to be found in all kinds Was there any pressure involved being the most days. In general I love walking In the meantime, I am making my way of lives, and all of them matter in their writer representing Melbourne? anywhere and everywhere, but preferably through Amos Oz’s new book, Scenes way. All of them contribute to history. Was there any pressure involved in the back way – that is, through lanes and From a Village Life (Chatto, HB, representing Melbourne? OMG YES. side streets. A few weeks ago I walked from Our special price $24.95), a collection This novel, divided into short chapters To get back to your first question – that Fitzroy to St Kilda for dinner and I could of loosely connected short stories set and replete with crisp, evocative imag- pressure is one of the reasons why I was tell from the look on my hosts’ faces that in an imaginary Israeli town; the three ery, is an easy but deeply satisfying careful to write the book as ‘a’ version of my habit was becoming somewhat patho- stories I’ve read have me hankering read. It cannily transports the reader Melbourne. Not as ‘the’ MELBOURNE. logical. They got me a bit drunk to make for more. Its style and power reminds to the streets, cafes, galleries and work- We all live in different versions of the city sure I didn’t try and walk home. I’ve been me of Coetzee’s Disgrace. Oz will be ers’ cottages of 1960s Melbourne – to some extent. I’m still stressing about doing a lot of walking around the lanes of delivering The Monash Israel Oration and engrosses us in the fate of Carroll’s things that have been left out that I would the CBD lately and really enjoying that. on 3 August at the Melbourne Town beautifully drawn characters. have loved to include. The list of what is See www.readings.com.au for the extended Hall – bookings through the Wheeler Highly recommended. interesting about our city is a very, very version of this interview. Centre. Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly 6 Readings Monthly August 2011 Creative writing courses from New Fiction Pepsi Bears and Faber Academy Other Short Stories at ALLEN & UNWIN CAustralianargo Fiction Anson Cameron Jessica Au Vintage. PB. $29.95 Halfway through reading WRITING & PLACE Picador. PB. $19.99. Ebook $15.99 GETTING PUBLISHED AS Gillian, Frankie and Jacob Pepsi Bears I had to put it A WRITER FOR CHILDREN 18-21 November 2011 live by the sea, a place that down and figure out what it changes over summer when was about Anson Cameron’s 5 November 2011 This three-day course led by writing that was so ridicu- Sophie Cunningham with guest the tourists and the extra jobs This one-day course with Rosalind lously infectious. Sure, it was Chris Womersley explores a sense roll in, bringing complica- Price and guest Ann James of place in writing—of landscapes witty, incisive and insightful, offers new writers for children an tions to their lives. Over the both external and internal—and but that didn’t quite explain understanding of what to expect heat of one early 90s how place is intrinsically linked to it. Then I realised it was the sheer delight this from the publishing process and summer, the three find out voice, story and character. author takes in the act of storytelling. Not how to give themselves the best what is important to them – and what isn’t chance of publication. as important as they thought. since reading Roald Dahl’s short stories as a teenager have I encountered a writer who so Gillian is in love with popular, arrogant clearly revels in the form as Cameron. WRITING A NOVEL WRITING FOR CHILDREN drop-out Alex, but knows what people think By turns hilarious, macabre, heartbreaking, Starts April 2012 Starts February 2012 of her since the accident that claimed her leg. The only thing she knows for sure is scatological and surreal, the stories in Pepsi Course director Sophie Writing for Children is a three-month Bears are principally concerned with the Cunningham leads aspiring writers course with Sally Rippin and guests how the water makes her feel; what distance swimming ignites inside her. Frankie is rich collision between humanity and the natural on a six-month journey through the Andy Griffi ths & Martine Murray for world. Zebras, dogs, polar bears, gorillas and people who wish to write for children and well-known, but is losing her grip on novel process, from inspiration to an entire zoo-full of exotic animals conspire, starting, editing and fi nishing. from age six to young adult. her closest friendships and the relationship with her newly pregnant mother and the with Cameron’s deft guidance, to unmask father who is too distant for all of them – all the absurdity of humankind in situations FACTS TO FICTION that she knows for sure is what she feels for trivial and profound. But Cameron is a satirist with a keen sense of empathy, and he 17 March 2012 her father’s new deckhand. Jacob watches Gillian and wishes to be like his older has the ability to turn comedy to poignancy A one-day workshop with Lisa Lang in the flick of a single sentence. I finished for people who want to draw on real brother: strong on a surfboard, confident, adored. Harder to see past is his brother’s the book with the strange sense of having stories—a slice of history, a family undergone a deep searching examination of tale, a newspaper article—in order arrogance and violence. to create a work of fi ction. the human condition whilst watching a riot Cargo is a story about teenagers, but it’s of clowns and circus animals set loose in a not for children: it’s a novel about issues fairground. Full information and listings at Book your course now that (unfortunately) transcend age and that I had only read Cameron’s stories in isolation www.allenandunwin.com/faberacademy 02 8425 0171 or plague even the most mature of adults. It’s [email protected] about love and rejection; about moving on before, and the snowball effect of reading and beyond your past without forgetting a whole volume left me somewhat giddy. MentionMe you’re a Faber Academy student and get 10% off at Short-story collections are like novels at fever aall Readings bookshops—instore only, not valid for online purchases. it. Jessica Au’s writing can describe scenes with a perfectly turned phrase, people with pitch, and it can be hard to judge individual a line of dialogue: it’s both spare and lucid, stories in the initial onslaught. But after tak- simple yet with the world and everyone in ing a deep breath and considering each one it fully realised. The teenagers never feel on its own terms, the only criticism I can of- anything but real. A beautifully formed and fer is that of comparison: not all of them are sometimes devastating read that will drag quite so excellent as their companions. But you back to an era you might not care to this hardly seems fair, because if you open remember: high school ... and, even worse, Pepsi Bears at random, chances are you’ll life before iPods. encounter one of the best short stories you’ll Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton read this year. Marion Rankine is from Readings Carlton Thought Crimes Tim Richards The Chase Christopher Kremmer Black Inc. PB. $27.95. Ebook $12.95 One of the great pleasures in Picador. PB. $32.99. Ebook $21.99. reading short fiction is After five books of non- fiction, Kremmer’s first novel ‘A masterpiece of storytelling about From the cabarets of 1940s Baghdad to discovering new perspective; is set in the world of horserac- the most terrifying natural disaster the streets of war-torn Saigon and the uncovering vivid, at times in Australia’s recorded history… canals and alleyways of present-day uncomfortable visions of the ing, in post-war 1940s Heartwrenchingly compelling. Of its type, Venice, music weaves through each of past, present and future. Australia. Young scientist Jean I have read none better.’ KERRY O’BRIEN these spellbinding true stories. Such visions can taper in Campbell has been asked to help eradicate drugs in sport. ‘Adrian Hyland’s account of the disastrous ‘Zable elevates history into near-mythical intensity when written for Working with her boss Black Saturday fires is a story of courage, tales of wonder.’ AUSTRALIAN the long form, but short stories are more like dread and fallibility that will never dreams: strange, subversive imaginings that Howard Carter, Campbell discovers that the leave you.’ CATE KENNEDY resonate in our otherwise homogenised lives. ‘sport of kings’ is rife with illicit practices. In investigating old-school racehorse trainer from TEXT Tim Richards’Thought Crimes is a compen- Martin Foley, they realise just how much GREAT READS dium of such visions. It’s deeply unsettling, power, privilege and money ‘polite society’ has eerily prescient, unpredictable and exqui- invested in the sport; their success or failure sitely written. It’s also one of the best books rests on young stablehand Frank Littell, and of 2011, and deserves to be an instant cult the fateful decision he is forced to make. classic. Style-wise, Richards bears passing similarity to US enfant terrible George Saun- Machine Man ders, but with less didacticism and a willing- Max Barry ness to reign in otherwise unwieldy ideas. In Scribe. PB. $27.95. Ebook $16.98 Richards’ stories, babies appear on doorsteps, Scientist Charles Neumann aliens travel highways with new-age truckies, loses a leg in an industrial and in stand-out story ‘V2’, concrete truths accident. Seeing it as an evaporate to leave only uncertainty. opportunity to improve To say any more would be to deny the read- himself, Neumann uses the resources available to him ‘Completely convincing, the plotting The Tomorrow series meets er an unforgettable experience. Be warned also that Thought Crimes is not for the through his employer, the masterful.’ DONNA LEON The Hunger Games, in a divided city military contractor Better where danger is real and friendship squeamish. It is, however, required reading ‘Deeply touching and utterly is everything. for anyone doubting the power of quality Future, to build himself better parts. While heartbreaking...A compelling page-turner.’ fiction to engage, enrage, or empower the some admire his efforts, others question S J WATSON ‘Brilliant…Every sentence is skillfully reader. whether he is now a product, or even a ‘Really terrific — ambitious, clever crafted…A breathtaking first novel.’ weapon. A darkly funny satire on the age JUNIOR BOOKSELLER+PUBLISHER Laurie Steed is a short-story writer and and human.’ NICCI FRENCH of technology, and the increasingly blurred enthusiast, and communications manager boundaries between mind, body and ma- TEXTPUBLISHING.COM.AU of SPUNC. chine. Readings Monthly August 2011 7 Small Indiscretions: Cain Stories of Travel Jose Saramago in Asia Harvill. PB. Normally $29.95 Felicity Castagna Our special price $24.95 Transit Lounge. PB. $29.95 In 1991, Jose Saramago’s Q&A with Steven Carroll A traveller becomes a portrayal of a spiteful and Jo Case interviews Steven Carroll about Spirit of Progress Monroe impersonator in adolescent God in The Gospel (Fourth Estate, PB, $29.95, with free copy of The Lost Life, while stocks last) the casinos of Macau. An According to Jesus Christ obsessive son of Australians provoked such an outrage in living in Jakarta confronts Portugal that the government the newspaper photograph and story to his strange rituals. A young withdrew the book from the wall next to the painting itself when woman is trapped in the consideration from the it was exhibited. I didn’t see the painting boredom of her father’s European Literary Prize. Despairing of the until this year when I flew to Canberra ministry in exotic Borneo. Felicity Castagna’s backlash, he moved to the Canary Islands to and went to the Canberra Museum and stories of Asian landscapes and cultures, live out the remainder of his life free of the Gallery where it is on permanent exhibi- and the ways in which Westerners interact stultifying Catholic conservatism of his tion. So the story of Aunt Katherine and with them, have attracted praise from many native country. Nolan was always a piece of family folk- quarters, and here she offers 20 stories set lore just waiting for its moment. It took It is fitting, then, that the final book pub- some time, but its moment eventually across Asia, in countries including Indonesia, lished by the Nobel laureate before his death Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and China. arrived and Spirit of Progress is it. I tend last year would be another excursion into the to think that books – like an idea whose catechism: this time, a reimagining of the Honey Thief time has come – arrive when they’re Book of Genesis through the eyes of Cain. ready. When the moment feels right. Najaf Mazari & Robert Hillman Christian tradition teaches that Cain, the Wild Dingo Press. PB. $24.95 eldest son of Adam and Eve, was condemned Spirit of Progress is a kind of prequel to We know that a strand of this novel was From the authors of the by God to wander the earth as punishment your much-awarded Glenroy trilogy. What inspired by life – that Sam’s painting is Sid- bestselling The Rugmaker of for the murder of his younger brother Abel gave you the idea for a prequel? And what ney Nolan’s. Other characters feel like they Mazar-e-Sharif comes this in a fit of jealousy; in Saramago’s account, draws you to keep revisiting these charac- could be based on or inspired by real figures collection of stories that Cain witnesses the destruction of Sodom ters? – George, who will become a significant capture the rich storytelling and Gomorrah, Moses’ sermon on Mount figure in journalism, and Tess, the influen- Nothing in particular. Just the feel- traditions of Afghanistan. Sinai and the construction of Noah’s Ark, tial gallery owner and Sam’s mentor of sorts. ing (very soon after finishing The Time These are tales of leopards becoming disillusioned with the seem- Did you draw inspiration from life for other We Have Taken) that there was more to that sing and bees that ingly arbitrary nature of God’s justice and characters or elements, or were they entirely the story – that it had not been fully sneeze, of horseshoe bats in flights that blot demanding He be held to account for the invented? out the sun, and of blackbirds that bring undue suffering inflicted upon humanity. told. Each book seems to generate new golden apples to earth from heaven, along stories – and often new characters. Sam, I don’t think any character is entirely with tales of peasants, poisoners and kings. A Though Saramago was a lifelong atheist, Tess, Katherine and Skinner, all had invented. At the same time I did very remarkable book that shows us what it is like it would be mistaken to expect an anti- to be created from scratch, and it was little research when writing this book – to grow up in a land of bloodshed and religious screed to bookend his illustrious satisfying to watch as their stories gradu- and tend to be fairly wary of research in brotherhood, of miracles and catastrophes. literary career. Rather, Cain reads as more of ally overlapped those of the established general. A novel is a work of the imagina- a friendly quarrel with Christianity – oc- characters such as Vic and Rita. And tion, and research (especially too much casionally teasing, but never mocking or just as each book generates new stories, of it) can simply deaden things. So I dismissive of the moral contradictions that these stories also take you to new places. know little about Nolan’s life. There are he probes. The author’s eye for the absurd Spirit of Progress is not set in the suburbs parallels (father in the tramways, cycling International is on full display and his prose rivals the el- – although part of it is set in the farming and so on), but I never thought of Sam egance of his most famous works, Blindness country that will become a suburb – but as Nolan. Similarly the character of Tess Fiction and Seeing. Both a fitting end to Saramago’s very much in the city of Melbourne just has some similarities to Sunday Reid On Canaan’s Side career and a marvellous introduction to after the Second World War. (from a rich family, etc.) but, again, Tess Sebastian Barry Portugal’s finest novelist. is her own character. George is, in many Faber. PB. Normally $30 Sean Gleeson is a freelance reviewer A central strand of this story – a painting of ways, a kind of parallel George Johnston. Our special price $24.95 an old woman living in a tent on the edge The George Johnston who stayed, rather In a series of photographs America Pacifica of suburbia – is inspired by Sidney Nolan’s than left. There is a pivotal scene in Clean that Derry Moore took of the Anna North painting Woman and Tent, of your aunt. Straw for Nothing that my novel quite You’ve written about this painting before in Duchess de Mouchy’s house Hachette. PB. $29.99 deliberately echoes. The Johnston charac- Sleepers Almanac 4. What is it about this and garden, there is an In Anna North’s debut, when ter – David Meredith – is offered a job as slice of your family history that especially incredibly striking portrait of bitter cold descends on the editor of a new newspaper magazine fascinates you? an elderly woman in a blue North America, a privileged (Johnston wrote for The Argus) and he smock mending some linen few escape to set up a I’d known for some time that my great refuses it – believing that the convention- with the caption ‘archetypal facsimile of their former lives aunt Katherine (whom I never met) had ality and comfort of the job is antithetical housekeeper’. I thought of that photograph on an island. That poorly been painted by someone famous – and I to the writer’s life. My character accepts often when I was imagining Lilly Bere, the conceived experiment leaves knew that she lived in a tent (on a block – having decided on a life in newspapers. narrator of this exquisite rendering of a most of the island desperately of land in Nunawading, actually – I And, as the novel progressed, George be- simple life. Lilly is an Irish cook who has poor and hungry, while a dictator and his shifted location in the book), and that came less of a Johnston figure and more spent her retirement living in a cottage in corporate cronies eat rib roast and strawber- her photograph had appeared in The Her- of a Graham Perkin figure. The models, the Hamptons, after working for a powerful ries in walled communities of imported ald along with a story about her. Much to such as they were, did tend to shift and and wealthy American family for decades. wildlife. Into this world steps a hero on a the embarrassment of all family mem- change as the novel gathered. But her story begins in Ireland at the age of quest to find her mother. Instead, she discov- bers, apparently. But it wasn’t until much There is a real romance to the way George four as she meditates on the unpredictable ers a dystopian world filled with unpleasant- later that the pieces of the jigsaw were sees his job at the newspaper. He loves ‘the memories of childhood: a necklace broken, a ness and allegory, and comes of age. fitted together and I first saw a reproduc- hammering of the typewriters, the smoke, the dancing bear, her brother’s copy of Dosto- tion of the painting itself: Woman and Reading a synopsis of America Pacifica, a noise and the daily production of the words evsky returned from the front. Tent. The big mystery is whether Nolan reader would be forgiven for believing it’s that make up the continuing conversation and Katherine ever met. However briefly. The opening sentence ‘What is the sound aimed at young adults. The heroine, Darcy, that goes on every day all around him’. Given She did arrive at my parents’ house at the of an eighty-nine-year-old heart breaking?’ has casually used drugs, worked in desper- the state of newspapers now, there’s also a time the Herald photograph was pub- sets in place a lyrical reflection of a life lived ate conditions through her adolescence, and melancholy about it. Do you feel a nostalgia lished complaining about a cheeky young in friendship, love, duty and grief. Told over lives hungry in carefully described, unro- for the golden days of print? man who had been snooping about her a period of 17 days, each chapter is a day. mantic poverty. Her quest nearly takes her tent asking questions. But that could Beginning with ‘First Day without Bill’, leg, her agency and her hope in the future. This is probably right, although I didn’t easily have been the journalist – who is Lilly reflects on pivotal episodes in her life as She is actually at risk, and the risks are consciously go about it like that. Again, not named in the newspaper story. It’s she tries to come to terms with the death of gangrene, rape, destitution and corruption. it’s probably inevitable that when you’re probable that they did not meet, since her only grandson. For so simple a premise, Speculative fiction relies on the creation of writing about times past it will assume the painting is almost a replication of the Barry delivers a quiet masterpiece that I am an alternate world. In the most expansive a certain melancholy. But it’s worth photograph – while still being a painting sure will be remembered as a classic. His works, the author presses play on her cre- mentioning that George is quite differ- in its own right. prose is an assembly of majestic dialogue ation, and the clockwork springs open. For ent from me. He is very aware of being read, very conscious of having a reader- (‘now I am seeing you, I know everything hundreds of pages, the reader walks around I should also say that my character is not ship. Whereas I have never really been he did say about you was true, and I am to see how it all works before poking around Nolan – he is simply called Sam – and as conscious of a readership – and I think only so glad that I met you, indeed I am’) into the darker recesses. I was not bound by biography, I could this is because I was writing for over 12 and revelatory observations (‘telling my tale invent what I liked. So I speculate, in North could do that if she wanted, and years before I published a novel. During to myself … old matters held in the fingers the novel, that they did meet. The book, she includes a bit of whiz-bang to prove it, that time I was basically writing for my- of memory, like those old beads in a family in fact, is set largely during the three days but America Pacifica is not pure speculative self – and a few others. And, to an extent, rosary’). This is a novel that deserves to be that saw the photograph and story pub- fiction, either. The novel is closer to claus- I still think like that. Whereas, in my read slowly and more than once. It has the lished, the possible meeting between the trophobic bildungsroman noir that happens time writing for The Age, I’ve met many same deliberate pace of Colm Toíbin’s novel painter and Katherine, the painting of to take place in a dystopia. The plot closely journalists who are very conscious of an Brooklyn and is hauntingly beautiful. Woman and Tent and the exhibiting of it. follows the trail of breadcrumbs on Darcy’s audience and write for it. Justine Douglas is from Readings Port Melbourne I understand that Nolan actually pasted adventure. If the reader is not in her head, 8 Readings Monthly August 2011

she is always nearby, surrounded by discarded Primarily, it made me question the author’s pieces of a horrifying little world. If we fol- intention – something I don’t think I should low her long enough, points of light emerge, think about at the end of a novel. I was left ‘We are in the presence of a rare, fi ery brilliance’ but America Pacifica mostly passes in a dark with a feeling of distinct unease. Unease middle ground between imagination and hor- particularly about the depiction of the Th e Guardian ror. Definitely worth a look, whatever it is. father and daughter relationships, and how Luke Meinzen is a freelance reviewer. manipulative or pervasive is the authorial gaze that sees potential for abuse in all Black Jesus female/male relationships. Simone Felice Pip Newling is a freelance writer who works at A&U. PB. $24.99. Ebook $14.99 Readings Hawthorn Deep in the Catskill Moun- tains, one assumes bearded the Emperor of Lies men sit in lonely cabins in Steve Sem-Sandberg front of log fires contemplat- Faber. PB. $32.99 ing Huckleberry Finn and Some weeks after the writing folk songs. Thus it’s a German invasion of Poland, surprise to find one part of the occupying forces famed duo Duke and the established a series of King (and The Felice Brothers), Simone ghettoes to segregate the Felice, writing an elegiac lament for a lost country’s urban Jewish America against a soundtrack of eighties pop population. In the two years hits, beginning with Phil Collins and closing between the onset of World with the Eurythmics. War II and the official endorsement of the extermination of European Jewry, these Lionel White is a Marine. Blinded by a ghettoes were required to labour for the bomb blast and plagued with nightmares German war effort in exchange for food of war, he returns with a new name – Black rations and medical supplies. Mordechai Jesus – and to a mother who has burned Rumkowski was appointed to oversee the down their trailer-trash home and moved Lodz ghetto; while other Jewish enclaves into a converted Dairy Queen with the local collaborated with local resistance forces, A youngung marine returns from Iraq, blinded and scarred by a deputy. Meanwhile, a ballerina stripper who Rumkowski believed the best way to militate pinches her name – Gloria – from Laura roadsided bbomb b and d hharbouring b a terriblebl secret. IInto hhis llife f against Nazi wrath was to make his people Branigan’s disco hit, rides broken-legged on a indispensible to his masters. Because of his one day rides Gloria, a mysterious young dancer who is fl eeing ragged moped across the American highways, efforts, Lodz was the last ghetto in Poland to escaping her boyfriend, the music critic. darkness and violence of a diff erent kind. be liquidated. Yet Rumkowski committed Once these strands of the story converge we unspeakable acts in the course of his duties, slowly understand the mystical magnetism sanctioning the execution of his political A love story, and a protest at the broken promises lying at the heart that connects them. However to read this for opponents and sexually abusing young plot alone is to do yourself an injustice. The of the American Dream, Black Jesus is a passionate, twisted hymn women in his care. For all his work ingratiat- beauty of the book lies in the depth of im- ing himself with the German leadership, to the marginalised and forgotten. ages, creating a hallucinatory experience and Rumkowski could not spare himself and his vividness that is as haunting as an apocalypse. charges from their fate at Auschwitz. This isn’t Felice’s first venture into fiction, OUT NOW RRP $24.99 Steve Sem-Sandberg’s novelisation of Lodz’s and it certainly stands up to descriptions of history is told alternately through the ever- his work being a kind of fable-noir, but I present figure of Rumkowski and a series of think it better resembles his talent for writing vignettes around the ghetto’s inhabitants. Pos- songs. Motifs and themes are hammered ing similarly unnerving existential questions home like nailed scraps of poetry to the wall. to Hannah Arendt’s study of Adolf Eich- Between a mourning for a better place and mann, Sam-Sandberg is primarily concerned From Kabul to London, two young brothers the connection of spirit in the strange vortex hiding out on the road, running for their lives…. with the moral ambiguities of Rumkowski’s of love, we are left wondering if perhaps this character – was he simply intoxicated by the was all spoken by some burnt-out God. Like dictatorial power he wielded over the ghetto, Rip Van Winkle, America wonders: where or did he remain loyal to his belief that are we and how’d we get to this place? collaboration with the Nazis would save his Luke May is from Readings St Kilda Hinterland people from the gas chambers? CAROLINE BROTHERS The End of Everything Evoking any sympathy for such an odious Megan Abbott character is beyond even Sam-Sandberg’s mas- Picador. PB. $27.99. Ebook $18.99. terful prose, and the novel’s tenor is ultimately Evie, a 13-year-old girl, one of emotional deadening: every round of disappears. Lizzie, her best deportations, every brutal suppression of the friend and next-door ghetto’s residents and every spiteful or preda- neighbour, is confused, tory whim exercised by Rumkowski becomes ‘A heart-wrenching story of two young brothers on frightened and believes she is progressively less affecting to the reader. In this regard, Sam-Sandberg’s ultimate talent a long, hard road; a story that all of us should read’ the only one who can help. She thinks she knows is recreating the same casual disregard for BARBARA TRAPIDO something about Evie’s human life that permitted the Holocaust to OUT NOW disappearance, but she can’t quite remember occur. An unsettling masterpiece. what that might be. What follows is an Sean Gleeson is a freelance reviewer. unsettling, prickly and intense read. Megan Abbott (in this, her sixth crime novel) is, as The Fat Years the blurb says, mining the same terrain as The Chan Koonchung Virgin Suicides and The Lovely Bones. We are Doubleday. PB. Normally $32.95 in the world of burgeoning teenage sexuality, Our special price $27.95 sexual vulnerability and paedophilia. Hyped as 1984 for our age, this tale delivers like a velvet The End of Everything The Readings Foundation is told by Lizzie, and sledgehammer – the charac- in her desperate attempts to gain attention ters are gentle and happy and from Evie’s father, to rescue her absent friend the society they inhabit is Applications Open Soon and to believe that it is love, not something both utopia and dystopia. darker, that drives Evie’s captor, we see a girl The Readings Foundation supports Victorian individuals and The ‘fat years’ of the title on the verge of adulthood, grasping onto organisations that wish to further the development of literacy, refers to a China that has her innocence while realising that nothing survived a global economic meltdown, and community work and the arts. Applications for grants open will ever be the same again. Abbott creates in doing so has risen to its rightful place as her 1980s Mid-West American world of Wednesday 31 August 2011 and must be lodged by 5pm on the world’s leading superpower. Everyone teenagers with great detail and nuance. In has everything they need. The inhabitants of Friday 28 October 2011. For more information, or to download this world, girls wear love and affection this China are satisfied and their (unexam- bestowed like medals, teenagers believe they an application form (available from 31 August), please visit ined) lives appear perfect. Fortunately, our can control the world, and the first feelings protagonists examine their lives, and behind www.readings.com.au. of sexual desire are fascinating. In this mess the exterior of this perfect society, a night- of girls, sisters, friends, mothers and lovers, mare is revealed. Abbott maintains the tension and I found it hard to put down, reading it in one sitting. The Fat Years will probably never be pub- TheSupporting Community, Literacy and theFoundation Arts. www.readings.com.au lished in China. It describes a state where But I’m still not sure I ‘liked’ this book. Readings Monthly August 2011 9 mind-control, crackdowns, surveillance and Dissecting bestsellers with the detached cold- censorship by the Party-State are routine, ness of a serial killer, no literary genre is safe but where no one seems to mind. Everyone from slacker Pete Tarslaw when he decides Translated Pick is happy, and the massacres of the past have he will become a famous novelist in time to been forgotten. The story revolves around humiliate his ex-girlfriend at her wedding. of the Month a 28-day period at the start of this ‘Age of Using the 12 (until now) unwritten Rules of The Land at the End Great Ascendancy’ which has disappeared entirely. Best Sellers, Tarslaw succeeds in his quest. of the World Opening in first-person, the tale draws us (Rule 6: Evoke confusing sadness at the end; right into the comfort of this perfect world, Rule 7: The prose should be lyrical; and – my António Lobo Antunes new release while introducing characters who don’t personal favourite – Rule 9: At dull points W.W. Norton. HB. $32.95 count themselves among the inexplicably include descriptions of delicious meals.) But The Land at the End of the Readings happy. Part Two shifts to a disturbing third- when you create a novel by putting together World is a new translation person narrative that feels like it’s observed pieces of other novels, then you really should of the second novel by through the eyes of Big Brother. know (especially if you claim to be a fan of António Lobo Antunes, ebooks ‘real’ literature) that what you’re going to end generally regarded as The Fat Years is chilling. This political up with is Frankenstein’s monster. And that’s Portugal’s most important thriller warns of the dangers of complacency, exactly what Tarslaw gets. living novelist. Published delivering its one-two punch through cun- in his native country as Melbourne ning use of point-of-view and parable-like E.B. White once said, ‘Analysing humor is Os Cus de Judas in 1979, this is a key Sophie Cunningham storytelling. The characters are fascinating like dissecting a frog. Few people are inter- book in Antunes’ oeuvre, for the simple Hardback $29.95 and well-drawn and reflect a broad range ested and the frog dies of it.’ Until How I Be- reason that it describes his own autobio- of Chinese society; their search for the ugly came a Famous Novelist, the same cannot have graphical experience as a medic during ebook $14.44 truth behind the glittering facade makes for been said about literature: there are whole Portugal’s war with Angola in the early compelling and very illuminating reading. genres and sub-genres of books analysing 1970s; the evocations of the unimagi- Ed Moreno is from Readings Malvern books about how to write books. Steve Hely, nable brutality that Antunes witnessed in the Dexter Morgan of the publishing world, that conflict help explain the notorious Hinterland has changed that. I can promise you: you will pessimism and darkness of his later Cargo Caroline Brothers never be able to read a book the same way works, such as Acts of the Damned (1985). Jessica Au again. In fact, I’m issuing you a challenge. Paperback $19.99 Bloomsbury. PB. $29.99 The novel is held together by a simple Hinterland is a shattering Read this book. Go on. I dare you. Dani Solomon is from Readings Carlton conceit: in a form that recalls Camus’s ebook $15.99 novel, essentially about two The Fall,the novel is meant to be a young boys fleeing Iran for continuous series of reminiscences England with the whole Freedom Jonathan Franzen delivered by a man speaking to an world against them. The unknown woman in a bar. While at oldest boy, Aryan, keeps HarperCollins. PB. $19.99 some moments these gestures can feel watch on his eight-year-old Jonathan Franzen’s first novel gimmicky, the novel works wonder- brother, Kabir. They are the since The Corrections had fully for one simple reason – Antunes’s Black Jesus unwanted hidden refugees of our time, critics raving when it came lush and baroque prose. Composed of Simone Felice searching for a place of comfort and safety. out last year. It is the story of long, complex and beautiful sentences Paperback $24.99 Patty and Walter Berglund The conditions of their journey are heart- full of extended metaphors that turn in ‘the new pioneers of old St. breaking. These young people catch trains, unexpected – and often funny – direc- ebook $14.99 Paul – the gentrifiers, the trucks, walk, swim, hide and scurry across tions, The Land at the End of the World hands-on parents, the Europe in the hope of reaching London. In- reveals the pleasure of Antunes’ unique avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation’. cidents of illness, starvation, thirst and child style: ‘If I were a giraffe, I would love But their world is changing. Franzen paints a labour are described – and always, there is you in silence, gazing down at you from moving portrait of a couple struggling with homelessness. There is one wonderful pas- over the wire fencing, as melancholy as contemporary life, love and marriage. sage where two American tourists in Italy a dockyard crane, I would love you with take the children into their care for the day. Scenes from the awkward love of the very tall ...’ Arnold Zable They feed them, clothe them and put them a Village Life As in his later book, An Explanation of Violin Lessons on a train. The irony that the Americans are the Birds (1981), the narrator constantly Arnold Zable the kindest to these kids is implicit in the de- Amos Oz Random. HB. Normally $29.95 compares humans to animals (indeed, Paperback $29.95 scriptions, but of course not to the children, the book begins with a description of the who are only baffled. There were occasions Our special price $24.95 ebook $14.96 A new book of stories from zoo) with the clear intent of cataloguing where I simply had to put this book down all of humanity in a sort of bestiary. The and hug my own child before continuing. To Israeli master storyteller Amos Oz, told in his misanthropy of the novel is palpable, think that young people – any people – are too, since it describes horrible acts of vio- treated with such disregard, violence and trademark simple yet poetic language. Together, the eight lence in war, renders explicit sexual acts fear is sadly not astonishing. Hinterland puts in a clinical language and consistently the reader squarely in the reality of political stories are an unsettling employs scatological figurative language. Also available : Cafè Scheherazade, refugees. It is demoralising. portrait of a fictional Israeli Sea of Many Returns, The Fig Tree village, Tel Ilan, in a process While these gestures could be overbear- and more, as ebooks only $9.99 ea. Caroline Brothers is a journalist who has of forced change. Behind each episode is ing in other hands, Antunes always spent years researching and reporting on another hidden story that hints at what goes leavens his cynicism with wry humour: refugees. (Her work has been featured on the on beneath the dreamlike surface. ‘The tone ‘Are you capable of love? Sorry, that’s a cover of the New York Times.) Her knowledge is pitch perfect. Each protagonist is made stupid question, because all women are of the plight of displaced people is evident in manifest with just a few brushstrokes, the capable of loving and those who aren’t Adrian Hyland her descriptions of this journey. Hinterland is maestro at work. The translation from love themselves through others, which, her first novel and clearly her intention is to Hebrew by long-time Oz collaborator in practice, and at least for the first few highlight the appalling treatment of refugees Nicholas De Lange is pellucid, there’s not a months, is almost indistinguishable from by the rich Western community. While not jarring note. The music shifts key effortlessly. genuine affection.’ based on true characters, the story is based on The whole collection is a masterclass in the The new translation by Margaret Jull genuine narratives. To that end, I mention paradoxical art of invoking the unspoken, Costa reads smoothly and handles the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre in West exquisitely, in words ... Informed by every- Antunes’ complicated sentences with Melbourne (9326 6066), which needs your thing, weighed down by nothing, this is an confidence and grace, although it does support. If you don’t think a centre like this exquisite work of art.’ – Scotsman Review commit the cardinal sin of including matters, read this book. copious and distracting footnotes on Chris Gordon is events coordinator of Readings Kinglake ‐ 350 Storm at the Door various locations, details and people Adrian Hyland Stefan Merrill Block that a Google search could determine Paperback $27.95 How I Became Faber. PB. $29.99 in ten seconds or less. That said, fans of a Famous Novelist Based on the true story of the Roberto Bolaño and the contemporary ebook $14 .96 Steve Hely author’s grandparents’ Spanish-language craze will need to get Black Inc. PB. $19.95. Ebook $9.95 marriage, this is a heartbreak- their hands on the work of this Portugese Also available: Diamond Dove and ‘In strewn banners that lay ing novel about family novelist. Although Antunes’ reputation Gunshot Road as ebooks $9.99 ea. like streamers from a long ago legacies and their power to hasn’t flowered in the Anglophone world parade the sun’s fading direct a family’s fate. It is in the way it recently has for some of his seraphim rays gleamed onto 1963 and Frederick Merrill is Iberian peers (like the vastly overrated the hood of the old Ford and a patient in America’s Enrique Vila-Matas), a large portion of ribboned the steel with the premier mental hospital in Boston. Hours his work is already available in English, meek orange of a June tomato away, in a New Hampshire village, his wife so there’s no reason to miss out on this straining at the vine.’ If you Katharine fights to hold the family together important writer. The Land at the End of read that sentence and think the words flow in the shadow of Frederick’s illness. Nearly the World is simply an essential work by like a freshly dipped brush painting – an 50 years later, a writer in his twenties tries to one of Europe’s best living authors. ebooks.readings.com.au image on the canvas of your mind – then piece together their story and reflects on the Emmett Stinson is the author of Known Steve Hely’s How I Became a Famous Novelist effects of their struggle and hardship on his Unknowns (Affirm, PB, $24.95). is most definitely not for you. family’s history and future. 10 Readings Monthly August 2011

New from Great new titles from Hachette Young AdultClara fictionin Washington YA Book of the Month Penny Tangey The Bridge UQP. PB. $19.95 Jane Higgins One of the many things to like about this novel is the Text. PB. $19.95. Ebook $14.95 main character, Clara. She is Nik Stais has grown up at the such a likeable, intelligent Tornmoor Academy on the young woman, poised City side of the river, with all between Year 12 and of his efforts directed towards university. The way she is being chosen by ISIS focused on the things that (Internal Security and both limit and entertain her is somehow so Intelligence Services) in his Acclaimed journalist and intrepid brain “explorer” familiar. The easy seduction of the televi- Lone Frank embarks on an incredible adventure to final year. But when the ISIS sion set, the comfort of Melbourne friends the frontiers of neuroscience to reveal how today’s recruiters come calling, Nik is passed over, and culture, the need for endless texting top scientists are reinventing human nature, much to everyone’s shock. Nik begins to and the unreasoned fear of ‘different’ – dif- morality, happiness, health, and reality itself. push for answers from his teachers, but a $19.95 Pb, ISBN 9781851687961 ferent country, different culture, different wall of silence descends. He is interrupted in skin colour. But forced to rely on her own Oneworld Publications his personal quest by the shock bombing of a spectacle of dust resources (alone in Washington while her his school by hostile forces from the mother works long hours), she finds the Pete Postlethwaite Southside of the river. In the ensuing chaos, courage to venture out into the big, bad Pete Postlethwaite is one of the best- Sol, the little brother of Nik’s close friend streets – to catch the train, volunteer, and loved and widely admired performers on Fyffe, is kidnapped. Nik and Fyffe travel armed with her Lonely Planet guide book, stage, TV and cinema. Steven Spielberg over the bridge to Southside on a dangerous to ‘do’ Washington. Duffle-coated Camp- called him ‘the best actor in the world’ mission to try and find Sol. bell from the Anarchists’ Collective This is the story of a diverse and multitalented actor’s eventful life, told It’s easy to see why The Bridge was chosen becomes an interesting distraction and an in his own candid and vibrant words. as the winner of the 2010 Text Prize for unexpected facilitator in her working out Young Adult and Children’s Writing. It is an the things that matter to her. A novel which intelligent, complex and gripping book that manages to be both breezy and thought- reminded me in parts of Suzanne Collins’ provoking, for ages 14 and up. Hunger Games trilogy. Though dystopic in Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton nature, it feels 100 per cent real, and raises Biologism -- the belief that human beings are many interesting issues surrounding war, essentially animals and can be understood power, politics, propaganda, militarism, New in in biological terms -- is gaining increasing terrorism, ideology and religion. Nik’s favourite series acceptance. Raymond Tallis argues that the rise physical journey to the unknown, feared of this way of thinking is a matter of profound people's republic: concern which has dire consequences: by seeing and despised Southside of the divided City, ourselves as animals we may find reasons for is paralleled by an internal journey that sees cherub book 13 treating each other like them. him question everything he was ever told Robert Muchamore $44.95 Hb, ISBN 9781844652723 about the Southsiders, and moves him closer Hachette. HB. $29.99. Acumen Publishing to the truth about his own family history. Our special price $25.95. This is one of those rare books that manages This month there are a to be layered and thought-provoking, as well couple of new books in as action-packed and entertaining. popular series that fans will Leanne Hall was the 2009 winner of the T want to keep an eye out for. fouR KItcHeNs a conference for ext Prize for Young Adult and Children’s The first is People’s Republic, Writing and is a children’s specialist at the thirteenth book in the Lauren Shockey Readings Carlton CHERUB series by Robert Lauren Shockey quit her 9-to-5 grind to Science and Muchamore. In book twelve, spend a year apprenticing in four kitchens Miss Peregrine's Home we saw James Adams retire from CHERUB, around the world. Starting in New York, which means People’s Republic will star a she then heads to Vietnam, Israel, and for peculiar Children Rationalism Ransom Riggs brand new operative: twelve-year-old Ryan. France, and grows into an accomplished Since passing his basic training eight and confident cook. A transformative Quirk. HB. $24.95 journey, reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love. months earlier, Ryan has been eager to get Miss Peregrine’s Home for started on his first mission. His target is Neil deGrasse Tyson Peculiar Children had me Ethan, the privileged grandson of a captivated from the moment Kyrgyzstani crime boss. Ethan’s life in Christopher Hitchens* my eyes feasted on the front California has less to do with crime and cover, where a black and more to do with computers and chess, so Ayaan Hirsi Ali white photograph of a young Ryan thinks his mission will be a snap. girl wearing a tiara appeared However, as he starts to dig in deeper, Ryan Tim Flannery to be floating above the discovers that this mission will take all of ground, staring straight at me. Turning over his wits to solve. Michael Shermer to the back cover revealed even more creepy photographs, all in black-and-white, and all Forever: Wolves of of children who appear to be less than Cristina Rad ordinary. With such an intriguing cover, I Mercy book 3 dived straight into a story that cleverly uses Maggie Stiefvater Shane Koyczan authentic vintage photographs and captivat- Scholastic. HB. $24.99 Father Bob Maguire ing text to produce a truly unique reading Another new addition to a experience. much-loved series is Forever, the sequel to Maggie Josh Thomas Jacob’s life has always been rather unexciting. Stiefvater’s Shiver and Rules of cIvIlIty He comes from a well-off family, has one Linger. In the third and final in Melbourne. friend, and a grandfather who appears to instalment in the bestselling Amor Towles be crazy. When a horrible family tragedy Wolves of Mercy Falls series, Katey Kontent has a lot to learn about occurs, Jacob’s ability to cope declines and his Grace is starting to lose the “the big apple”. How does one sneak psychiatrist suggests a trip to a remote island wolf form she gained in Linger. As she turns into a cinema? How does one live like a off the coast of Wales, where his grandfather redhead? Can the word ‘yes’ be poison? September 18 back into her human self, she learns her And what are the rules of civility? lived as a boy. It is here that Jacob finds the parents believe she has been killed by Sam. For fans of Fitzgerald and Capote, ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar In the meantime, forces are trying to comes a witty, elegant fairytale Think Inc. Children. As he starts to explore the old room, overturn the laws protecting the Minnesota of New York, set in 1938. he begins to realise that the old photographs wolves from being hunted. Can Grace and www.thinkinc.org.au of peculiar children his grandfather used to Sam save the wolves of Mercy Falls, or will *live via video link show him may not be as unreal as he had they be too late? A stunning conclusion to a Proudly supported by always thought. Ransom Riggs has created a haunting paranormal YA series which has creepy and mysterious story, not to mention a captured the hearts of so many. wonderful cliffhanger of an ending, leaving Holly Harper is from Readings Carlton you screaming for Book Two. Katherine Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn Readings Monthly August 2011 11

New Crime Dead Write with Fiona Hardy Turn of Mind whole life. But when he leaves Hollywood, it restorer Gabriel Vallon. Withdrawing from Crime Book of the Month Alice LaPlante is without the wife he adored. His new York- the world after he failed to stop a suicide De Luxe Text. PB. $32.95. Ebook $19.95 shire home holds the secrets of a past couple: bomber unleashing horror in London, he is Lenny Bartulin This unnerving story of a woman’s de- a husband, killed by his wife. As Chris looks nonetheless drawn from his Cornish cottage scent into Alzheimer’s follows the brilliant deeper in the history of the house, he refuses to fight a new terror threat: an ex-CIA asset Scribe. PB. $24.95. Ebook $16.62 to believe the crime went the way history tells and cleric who can only be stopped with the Comes with free copy of Black Russian surgeon Jennifer White as she is accused of the murder – and clinical finger amputa- it – but his research has surprising revelations. help of someone in Vallon’s past – someone (PB), worth $27.95 he wishes would just stay there. A lot of blurbs around the tion – of her best friend, Amanda O’Toole. Dr White doesn’t know if she did it or not; Winter of the Lions traps insinuate that Lenny Jan Costin Wagner Until Thy Wrath Be Past Bartulin could be some her life punctuated by moments of lucidity Harvill. PB. $29.95 Asa Larsson distant Australian relative of and confusion, her world lost. Hauntingly Maclehose Press. PB. Normally $33 Raymond Chandler, a claim and honestly told, LaPlante’s debut novel is Not quite the typical police procedural, this Our special price $27.95 that I first laughed at but fractured and compelling. book has Finnish detective Kimmo Joentaa now, to be quite honest, am investigating two murders: a puppeteer and A 17-year-old girl recounts seriously considering. The Vault a forensic pathologist, unlinked until he re- how she was killed during a Bartulin’s wrong-place-wrong-time hero, Ruth Rendell alises they were both on the same television dive in an icy Swedish river. Jack Susko, is both a nod to Philip Marlowe Hutchinson. PB. Normally $32.95 show. With Joentaa’s own instincts taking In the thaw of spring her and something else entirely. They share the Our special price $27.95 over from a standard investigation, it’s an body rises. Prosecutor same ability to wisecrack and encounter Inspector Wexford has introspective and fascinating look at a differ- Rebecka Martinsson, beautiful women at the speed some people retired, but some people just ent kind of detective work. preoccupied with the encounter breathing; they know Useful can’t stay out of trouble – necessary deaths she has People and can throw down if a fight comes especially successful heroes Harry Curry, caused, teams up with Inspectors Mella and to them (which, frankly, it always will). But whose readers were getting a Counsel of Choice Stalnacke to find out what was under the Susko is undeniably Australian: flawed, tad faint at the idea of their Stuart Littlemore river, and who wants it to stay there. bordering on broke and just about hopeless favourite series ending. Ruth HarperCollins. PB. $29.99 when it comes to women. He owns a Rendell puts Wexford in the Australian scamps are happily prevalent in Babylon faltering second-hand bookshop in Sydney path of an old co-worker, who asks for his this month’s releases. Harry Curry rampages Stephen Sewell and is getting kicked out of his beloved help on a difficult case: one started in her Rumpole-style through Sydney as a criminal MUP. PB. $32.99. Ebook $22.99. apartment when Ziggy, the building’s 1999 book, A Sight for Sore Eyes. There are defence lawyer – until he’s suspended for Screenwriter and author of owner – and Jack’s not entirely law-abiding unidentified bodies at the bottom of a coal professional misconduct. And English bar- the Animal Kingdom novelisa- ex-boss – comes to him with an offer of hole, and Wexford sits in on the case, offer- rister Arabella Engineer is hoping to team tion, Stephen Sewell turns his affordable housing, if only Jack has a little ing help with no idea of the tragedy unfold- up with Curry to solve both their problems. hand to a troubling outback chat with Ziggy’s wayward daughter, who ing in his own life. But, shockingly, partnering with an attractive thriller in his debut novel. also happens to be an old flame of Jack’s. lawyer brings problems of its own. Mick is an English backpack- Things are never that easy, which is Before the Poison er full of hope about what unfortunate for Jack but very fortunate for Peter Robinson Portrait of a Spy Australia will do for him. the reader, because De Luxe is excellent fun: Hodder Headline. PB. Normally $33 Daniel Silva What it does is set him in the path of the fast-paced, full of sass and criminal exploits Our special price $27.95 HarperCollins. PB. Normally $33 charming but psychotic Dan, who is happy to and stumbles and successes. Just like your Beloved author Peter Robinson returns with Our special price $27.95 pick up the young hitchhiker but hell-bent on day-to-day life, I’m sure. the story of film composer Chris Lowndes, ‘Portrait of a Spy’ is an apt title for Daniel the psychological and physical destruction of who’s wanted to return to Yorkshire his Silva’s newest book, about spy-slash-art- himself, and those around him.

A futuristic novel in which China The last novel written by the is set to take over the planet, while great Portuguese novelist and the rest of the world is devastated Nobel Prize winner. “A spectacular political thriller... it kept me up nights” by an economic tsunami. - INTERNATIONALLBESTTSELLINGGAUTHORRRPPJJJO’ROURKE

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Spirit of Progress The Casuals BY STEVEN BY SALLY BREEN CARROLL From her pop-fuelled From Miles Franklin adolescence in the Award winner, 1980s to a full-blown Steven Carroll. The grunge ride in the year is 1946. A sleek 1990s, Sally Breen’s high-speed train glides story is also a chronicle silently through the French countryside, of her generation: The Casuals. bearing Michael, an Australian writer, A charged and heady exploration and his travelling world of of sex, drugs and pop culture. memory and speculation. 12 Readings Monthly August 2011

underworld war and internal corruption in difference, and what it is to yearn for heima the police force. She also takes readers inside (to be at home). the events of Black Saturday, and talks about her time as head of the Victorian Bushfires Kári’s search for his father’s acknowledge- Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. ment provides the narrative structure of this New Non-Fiction memoir, but the true delight of this book lies his ‘movie star style’, his legendary drinking in Kári’s consideration of Iceland, Icelanders capacity and his commitment to keeping the Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the and their ‘specialisation in the painful love Biographies lawns meticulously edged. of one’s country’. Falling ‘hopelessly in love’ Damned with Iceland himself, Kári sees in the small An underlying tone of nostalgia tinged with John Farrell & Memoirs melancholy reflects Breen’s sadness about her Nordic island the possibility of belonging; it Violin Lessons Scribe. PB. Normally $39.95. Ebook $23.42 is a substitute for his elusive father. He writes Arnold Zable father’s loss, to cancer, when she was in her Our special price $34.95 twenties – and John Breen is a huge presence with an intrinsic understanding of what Clarence Darrow was the Text. PB. $29.95. Ebook $14.96 in these pages. The Casuals is, on one integral makes Iceland so winsome and beguiling, legendary defence attorney Arnold Zable is a bit of a level, a daughter’s love letter to her father. and his observations on the quirks of Ice- whose inspirational days-long bower bird; he can’t help It’s also an absorbing coming-of-age; fellow landers are spot-on: their hostility to strang- closing arguments, delivered collecting stories and – to Gen-Xers will enjoy the trip down memory ers, their desire for independence, their without notes, won miracu- the joy of most readers – he lane, and find much to recognise. self-reliance and their inexplicable, powerful lous reprieves for men can’t help retelling them. In Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly nostalgia for their homeland: ‘You could be this collection, based on over doomed to hang. Farrell’s homesick even when you were home.’ 40 years of encounters, he Wild and Woolley: biography of Darrow is retells the fragments of the compelling and meticulous, drawing on This is one of the better kinds of memoir – lives of some of the people he has met. His A Publishing Memoir previously unpublished correspondence and one in which the author is not only reflec- eye wanders to the marginalised, the Michael Wilding memoirs, among other sources. ‘This new tive, but also reflexive. Kári demonstrates disenfranchised. Giramondo. PB. $24.95 biography is a balanced account of a an awareness of the fallibility of memory, of Michael Wilding met Pat Woolley at a complex man, written with a great gift of subjectivity, and his own shortcomings as a A boy walking along a Baghdad street is performance event in Sydney in 1973 and story-telling. It sets Darrow’s battles in their writer and son. He is an undoubted Iceland- transfixed by the sound of a violin coming soon they decided to set up a publishing rich historical setting, and brings him vividly ophile, but there is little fawning – his prose from a balcony and it changes his life. A company together called Wild and Woolley. to life.’ – Julian Burnside QC is direct but unhurried, and demonstrates street boy in war-torn Saigon takes a rare He was an up-and-coming Australian novel- those qualities he attributes to the Icelanders: break from his pimping and running errands ist and academic; she had worked in the The Changing Forms self-deprecatory wit, profundity and a prying for the occupying forces and opens up to Los Angeles underground press scene and of Clouds inquisitiveness into the lives of others. the writer, recounting how his village was – crucially – knew how to operate a typeset- Hannah Kent is deputy editor of Kill Your bombed and his family killed. In Poland, Dalia Millingen Darlings. She is currently writing a historical ting machine. As Wilding recalls, the press Hybrid. PB. $29.95 Zable meets a woman and her son who took its impetus from the Vietnam anti-war novel based in Iceland. The Changing Forms of Clouds A reticent, sometimes troubled child, Dalia Dalia Millingen was born in yearn to escape from their village, from their Millingen grew up in a culturally mixed family in tense and bigoted pre-war Europe. ng movement: ‘All those readings against theShe went through several career changes and angi personal crises before becoming the mellow Ch if still spirited octogenarian she is today, e ds Belgium in the 20s, to an independent in mind and spirit. Her story h ou T CA memoirl of life, crude alcoholic husband/father. They beg is of the making of a modern, free-thinking, s of war in Vietnam we had so busily organisedcosmopolitan woman finding herself. orm love and longing Constance: The Tragic Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Dalia F explores her past with forensic candour, shining a light into dark corners, rediscovering joys and fears, opening up memories locked adored Jewish father and a away, seeking out patterns and insights that illuminate human Zable to help them ... ‘they knew, as well I relationships and drives. Her engaging memoir tells us much had helped establish an audience forabout changing current mores since her childhood in pre-War Belgium, and Scandalous Life but it is the movingly honest investigation that is most inspiring, for it suggests how close we might all come to a non-judgmental understanding of the authentic self. Jackie Yowell distant Catholic mother. The did, that I would not help them’. On the A very moving memoir … It could encourage a lot of folk dwelling in writing. Now it was the time to movethe Slough of Despond from and give them some hope that there is a way Dalia Millingen out. Ann Youngman of Mrs Oscar Wilde Written with the lightest touch but touching upon the Belgians made only token island of Ithaca a young man, a university most profound subjects, one exceptional woman’s search for understanding will illuminate the life of anyone who appearance and performance into thecares to read this. perma Helen Elliott - The gaining of wisdom is efforts to comply with the Franny Moyle such hard work but the only student, is lost in a diving accident and his Memoir thing really worth doing nence of print.’ Armed with the means of Ann Youngman with a life. Nazis’ anti-Jewish policies John Murray. PB. $32.99 father blames himself for the accident: ‘there production, they set out alongside other Dalia Millingen and although life was hard Most people wouldn’t know are times when I have dived down and not presses (such as Outback Press) to compete during the war, Dalia spent most of it that Constance Wilde was a wanted to return ... I infected my boy with against the mostly British-owned publish- studying to be a nurse. For her mother, it popular children’s author, a the same madness’. ing companies of the time. And so Wilding ‘was one of the greatest times of my life’. As fashion icon and a leading discovered ‘the ineffable pleasure of messing The most profound and moving tale is that a young child, Dalia had craved her mother’s campaigner for women’s around with books’. of Amal, a survivor of the terrible SIEV love and attention; in Dalia’s consciousness, rights. Much admired and X disaster; Amal has made it her mission As Wilding points out in this engagingly that affection had been directed outside, to respected in society, her life to make sure that the story of that terrible informal memoir, the point was not to others, and it was this feeling of rejection changed irrevocably with the incident is not lost and tells the story over make money but to ‘publish books that that was to have profound effects on Dalia conviction of her husband Oscar Wilde for and over to those who will listen, even were worthwhile, and not lose money’. Wild later in her life. ‘gross indecency with other men’. Forced to though she is dying of cancer. After years in and Woolley published works by emerging flee to ‘the continent’ with her two sons, After the war she met her future husband, Australia on a temporary protection visa, she Australian writers of the time such as Robert Constance changed her name and lived in Dolf, a displaced and restless Jew with no is finally granted permanent residency and Adamson, Vicki Viidikas, Denis Altman, exile until her death. Bringing new material immediate family apart from some rela- feels ‘a free woman in a free country’. In Vio- David Foster and Laurie Duggan, as well as to the telling, some from previously unpub- tives in Australia. Dolf felt the urge to break lin Lessons, Zable displays the wisdom and non-fiction that appealed to the counter- lished letters, Moyle tells a moving story with Europe and try a new life in Australia; kindness that has permeated all his works – culture. To help pay for their own publishing about an extraordinary woman caught up in Dalia, in love and with a new baby, un- the reason they are so loved. program, they cut deals to distribute the one of the greatest scandals of her time. questioningly followed. It was only in later Mark Rubbo is managing director of Readings books of progressive overseas literary presses years that she realised the subconscious such as San Francisco’s City Lights and New Ghosts by Daylight toll of her estrangement from her family The Casuals York’s New Directions. Janine di Giovanni and especially her adored father. She and Sally Breen Bloomsbury. PB. $29.99 Wild and Woolley positioned themselves Dolf made a successful life in Australia, HarperCollins. PB. $29.99 Award-winning journalist as ‘the publisher of choice for titles the having two more children and starting a The Casuals has been blurbed Janine di Giovanni first fell big commercial houses shied away from’, successful business. But Dalia, plagued by as Generation X’s version of in love with fellow reporter although Wilding also confesses to some insecurity and the legacy of her mother’s per- Puberty Blues. Like Sally, I was Bruno in the besieged city of authors and books that got away: Christina ceived rejection, suffered intense depressive born in 1975, and grew up in Sarajevo. After years of Stead, Morris Lurie, and Carey and Lette’s episodes and two suicide attempts. Those an outer suburb where ‘new phone calls, secret trysts in Puberty Blues among them. Those with a episodes – and her long recovery – helped estates explode out of the foreign cities, multiple love of Australian writing and a wish to to increase her awareness and empathy, and bushland like instant Lego break-ups, three miscarriages learn more of the bygone ‘heady days of the led her to becoming an effective and caring lands’, so was particularly – all played out against the backdrop of small press boom, when independent presses psychotherapist, now aged in her 90s. This curious. Like the Puberty Blues authors, Breen various wars – they finally began a new life sprang up and thrived’, when the study of beautiful book is Dalia’s reflection on her captures the zeitgeist of her generation. The together in Paris. However, as they battled literature in universities was ‘huge’, and life and on the universal process of ageing cultural references hit the mark – catching with a whole new series of ups and downs, when subsidies for literary publishing were and changing relationships. It is full of very tadpoles in buckets from local creeks, through parenthood, illness and addiction, ‘generous’, will enjoy this book and possibly gentle wisdom. sleepovers watching John Hughes movies on they came to realise a profound truth – that mourn the era’s passing. Mark Rubbo is managing director of Readings video, proud ownership of ‘boom boxes with people who deeply love each other cannot Andrew Wilkins is managing director of double-decker tapes’, ra-ra skirts and white always live together. Wilkins Farago Publishing and former editor denim jackets. And Breen similarly captures The Promise of Iceland of . the essence of awkward, painfully uncertain Bookseller and Publisher Kári Gíslason A Spectacle of Dust adolescence – the importance of ‘tribes’ (‘for a UQP. PB. $24.95 Pete Postlethwaite high school kid, not having a group is terror’), Fair Cop Kári Gíslason was born a Christine Nixon & Jo Chandler secret. The love child of an W&N. PB. $32.99 the suppression of self in order to fit in, and, The multi-talented actor Pete MUP. PB. $34.99. Ebook $25.99. Australian secretary and a most resonantly, the secondary role of desire Postlethwaite, who died in In this candid memoir, married Icelandic man, he when it comes to relationships and sexuality. January this year, had a Christine Nixon – the first grew up understanding that remarkable career on stage, ‘When gangs of girls begin negotiations with female Chief Commissioner his father’s identity must TV and cinema, with roles in gangs of guys it’s more about power than of Police in Australia – re- never be revealed. Shuttled Sharpe and Jurassic Park: The desire,’ she writes of her reluctant first kiss, flects on her experiences in back and forth between Lost World. But he was in year five. That link seems to continue, the police force and her Australia, England and Iceland, Kári probably best known for his from early crushes on seemingly unavailable commitment to community decided, at the age of 27, to defy his father’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of Giuseppe boys as a teen, to a series of ill-fated en- service. Sharing her stories plea for anonymity, and travelled to Iceland Conlon (the father of Daniel Day-Lewis’s counters with rock stars, and a live-in affair with journalist Jo Chandler, Nixon recounts to introduce himself to the half-siblings and character) in In the Name of the Father. A with her university lecturer. Perhaps the the challenges she faced in her role as head family he had never known. What led him Spectacle of Dust is a memoir of an eventful men in her life never live up to her idolised, of Victoria Police, tackling a bloody to this decision, and what followed, is an six-foot-something charismatic father, with engrossing account of love, cultural life, told in Postlethwaite’s own words. Readings Monthly August 2011 13

that what has so far seemed like a blessing has the potential to become a curse, unless we Australian Studies take urgent action. Cleary investigates the Melbourne downsides of the current system, explores Sophie Cunningham systems that have worked overseas, and offers New South. HB. $29.95 suggestions for a better way forward. In Sophie Cunningham’s Melbourne, stories of her The CLArenCe DArroW school days in Hawthorn and InTerrogATor John Farrell publishing adventures in glenn Carle The definitive Fitzroy and Carlton sit Current Affairs ‘This haunted, biography of America’s The Interrogator: A legendary defence at- alongside the colonial powerful book may settlement of Melbourne, the CIA Agent’s True Story well be the best and torney and progressive Glenn Carle most truthful first- hero — the lawyer damming and many diver- hand account of life every law student sions of the Yarra, and events like the Scribe. PB. $32.95. Ebook $19.32 inside the CIA ever dreams of being. Westgate bridge disaster of 1970, in which Glenn Carle was a senior published.’ 35 construction workers fell to their deaths. operative with the CIA when — Charles McCarry he found himself interrogat- What makes Melbourne different from most ing a captive they believed local histories – and completely engrossing would lead them to Osama – is this patchwork of public and private. It’s bin Laden. But Carle MoBY-DUCK BArgAInIng WITh the difference between riding an official tour Donovan hohn The DeVIL struggled to reconcile his bus around a city and having a resident take orders with his belief in the A dazzling, compel- robert Mnookin you on a personal journey, stopping by their law, believing that the man was not who he ling, whimsical This masterly book, favourite haunts while telling you stories journey of 28,800 was alleged to be. When the CIA insisted from a world-renowned that reflect the broader history. The former plastic bath toys lost leader in the art of they had the right man and moved the at sea, Moby-Duck negotiation, shows you is about getting an overview of agreed-upon suspect to one of their ‘black sites’, where he is a revelatory tale of how to make smart significant icons and events; the latter is was subjected to ‘enhanced interrogation science, adventure, choices when faced a deeper, if necessarily narrower, experi- techniques’, Carle began to question the way and modern myth. with devilish problems. ence. It’s about sampling the soul of a city, his country was conducting its investiga- which is what Cunningham does brilliantly. tions. A true story about the ‘dark side’ of Melbourne is ‘a city of inside places and the ‘war on terror’. conversation,’ she writes. ‘It’s a city that lives De LUXe MAChIne MAn in its head.’ And so it’s appropriate that she Pakistan: Lenny Bartulin Max Barry deals extensively with Melbourne’s cultural A Hard Country life, from its evolving culinary scene, to A Jack Susko mys- From the author of Anatol Lieven tery: ‘Lenny Bartulin Syrup and Company the city’s obsession with AFL, to its thriv- ing comedy, music, theatre and (of course) Allen Lane. HB. $55 is the “dap king” of comes a gruesomely Anatol Lieven is a former Sydney crime. Sassy, funny tale about one publishing scenes. slick, and deliciously man’s quest for the journalist who covered entertaining.’ ultimate in self- What really makes it so pleasurable, though, Pakistan for the Times. He — PM Newton improvement. is the novelistic telling of it. The sense of con- has also conducted extensive temporary Melbourne being overlaid on the research in all the country’s site of a displaced earlier civilisation – another four provinces in recent world altogether – is evoked by descriptions years. Here, he combines his of ‘the waterfall that once fell around where expertise with hundreds of www.scribepublications.com.au Also available as eBooks Queen Street in the city now meets the river’ interviews with Pakistanis from all walks of and the fact that ‘Melbourne’s bike trails life to offer a profound and sophisticated trace the tracks used by the Kulin nation’. analysis of Pakistan’s history and its social, The differences between the post-settlement religious and political structures. Lieven Melbourne of 100 years ago and the pres- argues that contrary to popular belief, ent are starkly evoked, too. In a pleasingly Pakistan is a viable and coherent state that macabre image, I learned that much of today’s does work, if you examine it within the Queen Victoria markets are built on the contexts of its own region. grounds of what was Melbourne’s first formal cemetery. The overall effect is a kind of collage of an ever-changing city, a carefully compiled album of snapshots that reflect one person’s considered experience of Melbourne. MaHistoryry Boleyn Jo Case is editor of Readings Monthly Alison Weir Letters to my Jonathan Cape. PB. Normally $32.95 Daughter Our special price $27.95 Robert Menzies This is the first full-scale biog- raphy of Mary Boleyn – the & Heather Henderson other Boleyn girl – one of the Murdoch. HB. $39.99. Ebook $19.99 most misunderstood figures Throughout the 50s, 60s and of the Tudor age. The sister of 70s, Heather Henderson, the Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s only daughter of Australia’s second wife, she is rumoured longest-serving prime to have borne him a child (or minister Sir Robert Menzies, ophie Cunningham writes a maybe even two). Subtitled ‘The Great and lived overseas with her Infamous Whore’, this book actually works year in her city’s life. She walks S diplomat husband. Menzies to dismantle much of the mythology through Melbourne’s oldest suburb regularly wrote letters to surrounding Mary and argues that she was to its largest market, goes to the Heather – a correspondence full of warmth, entirely undeserving of this epithet. footy and to the comedy festival, love, humour and insights – and these letters are at the heart of this fascinating book. Sophie talks publishing and learns The Great Sea: Introduced by Heather, who explains some A Human History of how to use a letterpress. Along the of the references and asides, the collection also way she journeys deep into her includes correspondence between Menzies the Mediterranean own recollections of the city she and other political figures such as JFK and David Abulafia Allen Lane. HB. $59.95 grew up in, and tells stories from Gough Whitlam. This is a fascinating history its history: the theft of Picasso’s Too Much Luck: The of the Mediterranean sea Weeping Woman, the Hoddle Mining Boom and – its waters and its shores. Street massacre, William Barak’s Australia’s Future Ranging in time from around trek from Healesville, the Westgate Paul Cleary 3500 BC to the present day, Bridge Disaster, the high drama The Great Sea explores the Black Inc. PB. $24.95. Ebook $9.95 whole extraordinary space of the 1970 and 2009 AFL grand Paul Cleary is a senior writer of the Mediterranean from finals and the Market Murders of with The Australian and the Gibraltar to Jaffa, narrating the story of the sixties. author of Shakedown: its people and how their diversity made Australia’s Grab for Timor Oil. the Mediterranean ‘probably the most In his latest book, he vigorous place of interaction between examines the realities of the different societies on the face of the planet’. www.newsouthbooks.com.au resources boom and argues 14 Readings Monthly August 2011

ing exploration of the most intriguing brain experiments so far this century, Lone Frank Cultural Studies introduces us to a coming neuro revolu- Foodby Justine Douglas, & ReadingsWine Port Melbourne Artby Margaret & Snowdon, Design Readings Carlton Words of Others: tion.’ – New Scientist From Quotations to Culture Modern Pantry Second Skin Gary Saul Morson Anna Hansen India Flint Ebury. HB. Normally $59.95 Murdoch. HB. $49.99 Yale. HB. $39.95 Our special price $49.95 Almost from the moment of Why are we fascinated by the Travel Armageddon I came across a couple of our birth, clothing acts as our words of others? Exploring Paul Daley & Michael Bowers Anna’s recipes in Coco, a second skin, yet we rarely the history of quotations and survey of 100 of the best consider where our clothes quotation books, Gary Saul Miegunyah. PB. Normally $49.99 Our special price $39.95 contemporary chefs. I was have come from and the Morson examines how intrigued by her New effects they might have on quotations are formed and Part travelogue, part history, Zealand upbringing and the environment and developed, and the way they this beautiful book follows in Danish heritage and the fact ourselves. This heartfelt, are collected and displayed in the footsteps of the Australian that she had ended up practical and topical book is about easily ‘verbal museums’. In his provocative and witty Light Horse divisions who working in London with Peter Gordon, achievable ways in which we can care for our style, he describes how quotations may served in the Middle East another New Zealander, who pioneered planet by living simpler lives and using fewer eventually become idioms, and asks how during World War I. Leading fusion cuisine with a couple of incredibly resources, specifically those to do with cloth much of language itself is the residue of readers through the deserts innovative restaurants, The Providores and and clothing. Beautifully photographed and former quotations. and cities that were their battlefields, journalist Paul Daley and photog- The Sugar Club. Three years ago, Anna illustrated by the author, it presents informa- Endangered Phrases rapher Michael Bowers tell the story of the opened her own restaurant, The Modern tion and inspiration on selecting, acquiring, tragic road the Australians fought to victory. Pantry, overlooking St John’s Square. The wearing, caring for, making, and repurposing Steven D. Price With archival photographs and contemporary cafe on the ground floor serves an eclectic textiles and clothing. Wiley. PB. $17.95 photography, this is a unique portrait of an brunch menu, with dishes like ricotta, When was the last time you heard someone exciting but dangerous part of the world. sweetcorn and coriander pancakes with avo- Wolfgang Sievers use a phrase like ‘between the devil and the cado and lime pickle puree, or their Helen Ennis deep blue sea’? Or even ‘will o’ the wisp’? One Paris to the Past: signature sugar-cured prawn omelette with NLA. PB. $49.95 of the side effects of the evolution of language smoked chilli sambal. The recipes that Wolfgang Sievers is the extinction of certain words and phrases. Travelling through delight me are the snacks and small plates (1913-2007) fled Nazi In this captivating compilation, Steven D. French History by that can be eaten at the bar: baked ricotta Germany to make Price asks if these endangered phrases can be Train and bee-pollen cakes with manuka honey Australia his home in saved – and if so, if they even should be saved. Ina Caro and lemon dressing, and feta, date and 1938. His European W.W. Norton. HB. $37.95 curry leaf fritters. This style of eating is heritage, specifically This charmingly inventive Peake’s Progress rightfully fashionable because it accommo- his education in book has already been hailed Mervyn Peake dates a frantic, urban existence but delivers Berlin, were to shape as one of the classic guide- British Library. HB. $49.95 hearty, traditional flavours like pigs cheeks his aesthetic response to his adopted country, books of our time. An Reissued to coincide with the braised with cider, fennel and bay. The where he excelled in the fields of architec- authority on medieval and centenary of Peake’s birth restaurant upstairs serves more substantial tural, industrial and mining photography. modern French history, Ina and to mark the British dishes, like a coconut and pandan duck-leg Sievers documented the post-war boom in Caro offers readers itineraries Library’s acquisition of curry. Anna’s first cookbook, Modern manufacturing and the working conditions for 25 one-day trips that Mervyn Peake’s archives, Pantry, contains a wonderfully original of many Australians. Sievers explored the begin in Paris and transport them back Peake’s Progress is a generous selection of recipes adapted for home use individuality of particular workers and their through 700 years of French history. Caro has selection of his short stories, from her brilliant restaurant repertoire. role in the modern machine age, celebrating organised her destinations chronologically, poems and nonsense verses, modernity and progress. as well as his drawings. Compiled by Peake’s with gorgeous descriptions of architectural The Good Life widow, Maeve Gilmore, and with a new splendours and a passion for her subject. This Adrian Richardson is indeed a wonderful guide to la belle France. Sue Ford: Self-portrait preface by his son Sebastian, this beautiful Plum Press. HB. Normally $59.95 with Camera book celebrates Peake’s talents as a writer Our special price $49.95 Monash Gallery of Art. PB. $28 and illustrator, showcasing work from every Adrian Richardson has a Sue Ford was one of Austra- period of his life, even some from his remarkable ability to lia’s most important photog- childhood. Music translate classic recipes into raphers and filmmakers. Her Every Poster Tells family staples. My battered, Time series (1960s–70s) is a Story: 30 Years of food-splattered copy of his one of the key moments in the Frontier Touring previous cookbook Meat is a late modernist Australian Science Company weary testament to the photography. Before her Aping Mankind: HB. $79.95 usefulness of his recipes. I death she was working with Neuromania, The Frontier Touring was fortunate enough to test a couple of his MGA on an exhibition of her work which Darwinitis and Company has been promot- new recipes earlier in the year and now would include photographs of women from the Misrepresentation ing live concerts in Australia would not be without a jar of his Giardi- 1960s–70s and her Time series. The exhibi- of Humanity and New Zealand for more niera (Italian pickled vegetables) in my tion describes a period when photography than 30 years now, and has fridge. Perfect with a hunk of bread and was charged with political and personal Raymond Tallis wedge of cheese for those evenings when Acumen. HB. $44.95 brought more than 500 meaning. As photographic historian and you arrive home late from work. I ended up contributor to this publication Helen Ennis Raymond Tallis exposes the tours to the two countries. making three batches of the Indian-spiced states: ‘Ford’s approach to art-making has exaggerated claims made for Containing 536 tour chutney with a surfeit of tomatoes and have always been straightforward … She does not the ability of neuroscience posters, essays by leading music journalists, served it with all manner of meals, from an cultivate a mysterious artistic persona [since] and evolutionary theory to and a foreword from Michael Gudinski, omelette with coriander and green chilies to … her art practice is purposeful; it is the explain human conscious- founding partner and CEO of the com- a full-scaled Indian banquet. As you would outcome of her view of art as a political ness, behaviour, culture and pany, this amazing chronicle of music expect, the meat recipes shine. I can’t activity that is democratic, liberating and society. He dismantles the history is a limited edition collector’s item for true music fans. recommend the terrine master-class highly relevant to contemporary society.’ belief that human beings can enough; a marvellous technique to have up be understood essentially in biological terms your sleeve when preparing a picnic for the The Wedding Dress: and argues for a greater recognition of races. There is a surfeit of simple pot-roasts human uniqueness and complexity. A 300 Years of Bridal and braised dishes that will see you through Fashion fearless and thought-provoking book, this is Journals the last days of winter, but the most essential reading for scientists, cultural Griffith Review 33: delightfully unexpected aspect of The Good Edwina Ehrman commentators and policy-makers alike. Such is Life Life is the vegetable side dishes – for V & A. HB. $69.99 Julianne Schultz (ed.) example, iceberg with fresh ricotta and The exhibition will be on at The Neurotourist: Text. PB. $24.95 herbs, and barbecued haloumi wrapped in Bendigo Art Gallery, and Postcards from the The latest issue of the zucchini. If you don’t have time (as I didn’t) draws on wedding garments Edge of Brain Science Griffith Review examines to make a sponge cake from scratch, you in the V&A’s collection, Lone Frank the world of life writing can use sponge fingers successfully enough photographs, letters, Oneworld. PB. $19.95 – memoir, biography or in the delectable Portuguese pudding, an memoirs and newspaper accounts to explore the Through a combination of personal essay. It explores egg custard poured over sponge cake and history of the wedding dress bizarre experiments, what is behind our hunger blackberry sauce. Herein lies the quiet coup and the traditions that have developed cutting-edge science and for this genre, and how and of The Good Life: plenty of recipes for the around it from 1700 to the present day. It irreverent interviews, why we respond to other time-poor parent and for those with a spare focuses on the white wedding dress which award-winning journalist, people’s private stories. With memoir, essay Sunday afternoon, plus inspiring master- became fashionable in the early nineteenth science writer and TV and fiction (that looks at how we under- class tutorials for making sausages, pasta or century and is worn today by women across presenter Lone Frank reveals stand ourselves) from writers such as Carrie gnocchi. the world. how scientists are reinvent- Tiffany, Frank Moorhouse, Debra Adelaide, ing human nature, morality, happiness, Raimond Gaita, Lloyd Jones, Maria health – and reality itself. ‘In this fascinat- ]Tumarkin, Marion Halligan, Peter Bishop, Sheila Fitzpatrick and John Tranter. Readings Monthly August 2011 15

pa. When Grandpa is unveiled as a fake, punk of the school: moody, violent, and just Harry struggles to see the truth in anything wanting to run away from everything. While and finds himself fighting his own personal these kids originally have little to do with war in uncovering the stories of the past. each other, it all changes when Andrew’s dad New Kids’ Books This is an honest and well-written read that brings home a new computer game from Ben and Duck details how people express their emotions Japan and Ben gets transported into it. Space Book of the Month Sara Acton differently when dealing with a personal Demons is a compelling story that has not A Sick Day for Amos Scholastic. HB. $24.99 tragedy. Harry’s War is a bittersweet novel aged over time – except for there still being McGee A simple but beautiful that highlights the innocence of youth – and $2 notes and the consoles are still Ataris (can Philip Stead & story about a boy and his why the past should never be forgotten. you say ‘rad’?!). Readers aged ten and over Erin Stead (illus.) friendship with a duck. Daniela Perinac is from Readings Malvern will enjoy the computer battles, plus the One day, Ben goes to the depth in the characters’ personalities. KD A&U. HB. $19.99 the Accidental Princess The winner of the 2011 park to feed the ducks and Caldecott Medal for is followed home by a Jen Storer Ravenwood illustration, A Sick Day for particularly persuasive duck! Gorgeously & Lucia Masciulla (illlus.) Andrew Peters Amos McGee is a quiet illustrated, and very funny. Penguin. HB. $19.95 Chicken House. PB. $16.99 treasure. Amos McGee is This book will sparkle on Ark never wanted to make an an elderly zookeeper who Flood shelves and the invitation for enemy out of the High makes time every day to visit his good Jackie French & Bruce Whatley young girls to pick it up will Councillor of Arborium. He friends. He plays chess with the elephant Scholastic. PB. $16.99 be temptingly strong. The just wanted to get on with ‘who thought and thought before making a The water brings relief to delightful cover promises a his job, unclogging the toilets move’ and reads stories to the owl ‘who was the dry land initially, but it sweet story of a young girl of the treetop city. But unfor- afraid of the dark’ at sunset. One day he is quickly becomes the enemy who will probably meet some tunately for Ark, he’s sick and this provides the impetus for his as the river bursts its banks beautiful fairies and they’ll all overheard Councillor Grasp’s friends to leave the zoo and visit him – led and turns into a flood. This live happily ever after. What a deceiving plans to sell out his beloved city to the by the very shy penguin. picture book depicting the façade! Matilda and Iris are sisters whose nefarious Empire of Maw, where wood is a recent Queensland floods has a simple but opposite natures often tend to conflict and, precious commodity. Once Maw gets its This is a simple tale of friendship, of taking powerful storyline. But the real star of the after one argument, Matilda takes a precious hands on Arborium, they plan to scrap it for the time to appreciate the differences and book is Bruce Whatley’s evocative waterco- coin that Iris treasures greatly. What this parts. Now it’s up to Ark to find a way to needs of one’s friends. It is beautifully illus- lours, many taken from an aerial perspective unleashes isn’t a delicate tale of fey folk and save his home among the trees – and to do trated, using woodblock prints with pencil and featuring a lone cattle dog, that cleverly gentle magic, but of old battles, dark curses so, he’ll have to venture down to the drawings. Each character – elephant, owl, evince the small victory of a tiny tugboat or and sinister characters. This is a fine old- dangerous roots of Ravenwood. If you’ve penguin, rhinoceros and tortoise, as well the banding together of humans against the fashioned adventure that has just the right been on the lookout for a compulsively as Amos – is entrancingly rendered, their overwhelming forces of nature. As the waters amount of scariness to drive the narrative and readable fantasy adventure, then look no character shining through in both expres- retreat, aid emerges from friends and strangers make the reader care about the sisters and further! Ravenwood is a thrilling read set in a sion and movement. I particularly love the to help life return to some semblance of their plight. Along with the humans, there are beautifully-crafted world which readers aged shy penguin with his coloured socks who normality. With all profits raised going to the some quaint animals, loyal pixies, delicate ten and up will lose themselves in. bravely ventures out holding elephant’s Flood Disaster Relief Appeal, this beautiful pillywiggins, nasty imps and other marvellous Holly Harper is from Readings Carlton trunk to visit his sick friend. This is a book picture book helps explain Australia’s extreme and creepy folk. My favourite is the invincible of small pedestrian moments executed with weather events to children and shows how we Binny Trinket with her crisp turn of phrase Alice-Miranda at Sea a straightforwardness that makes a fantasti- cope as a nation. AC and pushy ways; who would have thought a Jacqueline Harvey cal story of animals visiting a zookeeper mouse could have so much gumption! The Random. PB. $15.95 into a tale of ordinary kindness and friend- Junior Fiction Accidental Princess is the perfect package of When Aunty Gee decides to ship. Sure to be treasured for many years, Little Manfred strong story accompanied by atmospheric host a wedding aboard a this book is perfect for any sick day or just illustrations and, of course, that pretty, pretty royal yacht, Alice-Miranda a moment of rest. For ages two and up. Michael Morpurgo cover. For ages seven and up. can’t wait for the luxury Marie Matteson is from Readings Port HarperCollins. PB. $19.99 Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn cruise. But there are rumours Melbourne Charlie is a ten-year-old girl of a jewel thief at large, and who enjoys spending time by The Truth About why does the ship’s doctor picture books herself, as long as her dog Verity Sparks look so familiar? There is also Manfred is by her side. Susan Green wild weather to contend with, and a blonde One Small Island Manfred is named after a Walker. PB. $16.95 boy hiding in one of the suites. It’s mystery Alison Lester & little wooden dachshund that Coral Tulloch (illlus.) ‘My name is Verity Sparks, and intrigue on the high seas for Alice- originally belonged to her Miranda! Penguin. HB. $29.95 mother, who then passed it and I’ve got itchy fingers.’ So This fascinating non- begins this historical mystery down to her children to play with as they One Dog and His Boy fiction picture book is grew up. However, when it is accidentally novel about an orphaned about Macquarie Island, broken, it takes up the spot on the window young psychic who has a Eva Ibbotson located in the Southern sill. Charlie never understood why it upset special talent for finding Scholastic. HB. $24.99 Ocean. It explores the her mother so much, until one summer day things. It is pleasantly The final novel from history of the island from in 1966. When Charlie heads to the beach reminiscent of Philip award-winning children’s its unique geological beginnings through one day with Manfred by her side and her Pullman’s Sally Lockhart novels, with the author Eva Ibbotson is a the damage wrought by sealers and soccer-kicking brother not far behind, Victorian-era interest in spiritualism and charming story for middle introduced animals, along with recent Charlie assumes it will be a normal outing. class tensions, and there are plenty of readers. Hal’s materialistic restoration programs. Drawings by Coral But when the children meet two old men delicious characters with motives for a and emotionally absent Tulloch beautifully illustrate the succinct who are interested in the origin of Manfred’s variety of crimes. However, the ultimate parents give him everything text and for keen readers there are old- name, Charlie immediately feels that these mystery to be solved by our young heroine is money can buy, but they fashioned diagrams, maps and text that two men have something in common with the truth about her parentage and her special refuse to give him the one thing he really document the geological features, along them. Michael Morpurgo has once again gift. Middle readers interested in the wants – a dog. When they finally hire a dog with first-hand accounts from explorers, written a beautiful, heartwarming story for paranormal, along with those who like a from the Easy Pets Dog Agency, Hal is sealers and scientists. The overarching ages eight plus, using fact and fiction good mystery story, will love this book. Call overjoyed, but his happiness is short-lived message of this book is that while it may be together in a lyrical and endearing way. Set me psychic, but I predict this won’t be the when he discovers the dog was only his for only ‘one small island’, Macquarie Island is in England this story is about World War II, last we hear of young Verity Sparks. AC the weekend. Furious with his parents, Hal a microcosm that illustrates much about the effect the war had on those who served, resolves to do whatever it takes to rescue his human impact upon ecosystems. This and about those who became prisoners of Space Demons: 25th pet and never be parted again. What ensues beautiful and educational book will suit war. It’s about humility, loss, friendship and Anniversary Edition is a thrilling cross-country race by both dogs avid history and environment fans from kindness. Perfect for children who are Gillian Rubinstein and humans, to find sanctuary and a true ages five to ten. looking for something other than fantasy. Omnibus. PB. $15.99 home, with a dastardly private detective Angela Crocombe is from Readings St Kilda Katherine Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn I first read Space Demons giving chase. This is a heart-warming book when I was around ten years that young dog lovers will find particularly For All Creatures Middle Fiction old and loved it so much that satisfying. AC Glenda Millard & Rebecca as an adult I still recommend Harry’s War it to young readers. So as New Young Cool (illus.) John Heffernan Walker. HB. $29.95 Space Demons celebrates 25 adult section Omnibus. PB. $19.99 From the award-winning years in print, I decided to If you flick straight to the Harry is only interested in team of Glenda Millard re-read it to see if it still lives kids' page when you get your two things: building model and Rebecca Cool comes up to my memories. Space Demons is the Readings Monthly, you may be aeroplanes and listening to this beautiful picture book story of four kids who are all individually wondering where all our his Grandpa’s war stories. But that celebrates all creatures working through different problems in their young adult reviews are this Harry is also keen to – the great and the small, lives. Andrew and Ben have a friendship month. Surely we haven't understand what happened the winged and the walking, the singing and based on Ben doing whatever Andrew says, abandoned YA? Well, no. to his father and why his the silent animals. Includes animals from all while Andrew is dealing with his parents’ In fact, we've expanded our mother and sister are keeping over the world, even the echidna! constant arguing. Elaine is new to school coverage of YA books, and moved them to the secrets from him. Harry believes the only and is having trouble fitting in, as well as end of our general fiction section. To read all person being honest with him is his Grand- dealing with her mum leaving. Mario is the about the latest YA releases, turn to page 10. 16 Readings Monthly August 2011

FROM Readings Bargain Table BARCELONA Bargains on the web: New books are regularly added to our website. Click on the Bargains tab at www.readings.com.au. TO THE Italy From Above The History of Language for Antonio Attini Western Philosophy a New Century HB. Was $75. Now $39.95 of Religion: Tina Chang (ed.) BATTLEFIELDS This extraordinary book, Five-Volume Set Norton. PB. Was $38.95. Now $14.95 featuring over 400 aerial Graham Oppy This landmark anthology colour photographs, takes & Nick Trakakis (eds) celebrates the artistic and you everywhere in Italy – OUP. HB. Was $653. Now $159.95 cultural forces flourishing from the Alps in the north The five volume The History today in the East, with an to the volcano-hewn coast- of Western Philosophy of unprecedented selection of lines of the south. Religion covers ancient, works by South Asian, East medieval, early modern, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Local Breads nineteenth century and Central Asian poets. Daniel Leader twentieth century philoso- phy of religion. Written by Sidney Nolan Norton. HB. Was $42.95. Now $19.95 Barry Pearce Leader shares his experiences an international range of AGNS. PB. Was $65. Now $15.95 travelling throughout Europe leading scholars, the entries – each devoted This beautiful book is the in search of the best artisan to a major philosopher of religion – have most definitive work on breads. His detailed recipes been chosen to reflect a breadth and variety Nolan; we had the hardback describe every step it takes to of perspectives. In addition, there are entries a few months ago and sold reproduce these rare loaves, on major thinkers whose work has greatly out. We have been lucky to which until now were strictly influenced the philosophy of religion secure the last copies of the available locally. Full colour. (notably Darwin, Marx and Freud). paperback. Alfred Stieglitz: Disquiet, Please! the Lake George Years David Remnick (ed.) Through The Lens: Judy Annear (ed.) Modern Library. HB. Was $42. Now $14.95 National Geographic AGNS. PB. $13.95. Now $13.95 The New Yorker is, of course, Was $21.95. Now $10.95 The photographs Stieglitz a bastion of superb essays, For more than 100 years, took at his summer house at influential investigative National Geographic has set Lake George after 1915 are journalism, and insightful the standard for nature, considered a departure from arts criticism. But it’s also a culture and wildlife photog- Frank Camorra, chef of the renowned hoot. A sampling of its funny Spanish restaurant MoVida, teams his pictorialist origins, raphy. In Through the Lens, informed in part by his writings can be found in this 250 spectacular images up with food writer Richard Cornish satirical, witty collection. in this beautifully illustrated insider’s familiarity with modernist – some famous, others rarely guide to Barcelona. painting. seen – are gathered in one 19th Century lavish, newly formatted volume. AVAILABLE AUGUST The Annotated Australian Wind in the Willows Watercolours, The Vertigo Years: Kenneth Grahame Drawings & Pastels Europe 1900-1914 & Annie Gauger (ed.) H. Kolenberg Philip Blomm Norton. HB. Was $49.95. Now $24.95 AGNS. HB. Was $55. Now $13.95 Basic. HB. Was $42. Now $16.95 Readers will discover the This publication deals with From the hope for a new sheer joy of the original the Art Gallery of New South century embodied in the text, restored to the 1908 Wales’ extensive collection of 1900 World’s Fair in Paris to version, with hundreds of nineteenth-century works on the assassination of a Haps- full-colour images – includ- paper, with a superb selection burg archduke in Sarajevo in ing the beloved drawings of some of Australia’s best 1914, historian Blomm by E.H. Shepard and known artists, including Tom chronicles this extraordinary Arthur Rackham. Roberts and Arthur Streeton. epoch, year by year. Canterbury Tales France from the Air The Wild Things Geoffrey Chaucer Yann Arthus-Bertrand Dave Eggers & Burton Raffel (trans.) Thames. HB. Was $85. Now $29.95 McSweeneys. HB. Was $27.95. Now $14.95 Modern Library. HB. Was $50. Now $16.95 France presents an astonish- The Wild Things – based Eminent poet, translator and ing variety of landscapes to loosely on the book by scholar Burton Raffel the aerial observer – each of Maurice Sendak and the presents a pitch-perfect new which reveals itself in the screenplay co-written with translation of the lively, pages of this breathtaking Spike Jonze – is about the absorbing Canterbury Tales, photographic journey in 200 confusions of a boy, Max, in a new, unabridged version full-colour photographs. making his way in a world he that ensures none of Chau- can’t control. cer’s wit or wisdom is lost. Half Light The Last Mughal Corduroy Mansions Hetti Perkins (ed.) William Dalrymple AGNS. PB. Was $49.95. Now $13.95 Bloomsbury. HB. Was $59.95. Now $16.95 Alexander McCall Smith TheHalf Light exhibition was In this evocative study of the Polygon. HB. $39.95. Now $13.95 the first major survey of Paul Daley and Mike Bowers fall of the Mughal Empire ‘Corduroy Mansions’ is the indigenous artists engaging retrace the steps of the men and and the beginning of the Raj, affectionate nickname given with the photographic boys who fought on the Anzac using previously undiscov- to a genteel, crumbling medium and the portrait, Trail. Illustrated with archival ered sources to investigate a mansion block in London’s showcasing over 140 works by pivotal moment in the and contemporary photographs, Pimlico: the home turf of a 15 of Australia’s most history of East and West. Armageddon is part travelogue, new cast of captivating, renowned indigenous artists. part reportage and part history. quirky characters. The Happiness Trap AVAILABLE AUGUST The Winter Vault Life of Pi: Illustrated Russ Harris Anne Michaels Yann Martel PB. Was $19.95. Now $8.95 Bloomsbury. HB. Was $49.95. Now $14.95 Based on the insights and From the author of the Canongate. HB. Was $59.95. Now $17.95 techniques of a new form This brilliant fabulist novel acclaimed Fugitive Pieces of psychotherapy called comes a mesmerising love combines the delight of Acceptance and Commit- Kipling’s Just So Stories with story that juxtaposes ment Therapy (ACT), this historical events with the the metaphysical adventure of new book offers key prin- Jonah and the Whale, as Pi is most intimate moments ciples and techniques for of individual lives. marooned aboard a lifeboat escaping the ‘happiness trap’ www.mup.com.au with assorted wild animals. to create a full, rich and meaningful life. Readings Monthly August 2011 17

OWN TVs New Release DVDs MASTERPIECE Brighton Rock Never Let Me Go DVD of the Month Released 17 August. $34.95. Blu-ray $39.95 $39.95. Blu-ray $44.95 Downton Abbey Rowan Joffe’s masterful In an alternative version of $39.95. Blu-ray $44.95 adaptation of Graham reality, with an austerity-era Julian Fellowes’ lavish period Greene’s kitchen sink noir England in the grip of drama starring Dame Maggie is a slow-burning fuse of Soviet-style social strictures Smith and Hugh Bonneville fear, mortal sin and psy- and a medical police state, has swept the television world chotic betrayal, set among three children incarcerated in with a dramatic velvet the protection-racket mobs an unusual boarding school flourish. This prestigious of the sedate English seaside learn the sinister truth about ensemble brings the world of town of Brighton, a place once described their existence. The story’s aching emotional HOURS OF Downton splendidly to life. as ‘a town helping the police with its en- momentum will test the hardest heart. Based Set in England in the years leading up to quiries’. Sam Riley (as compelling here as on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro and starring UNINTERRUPTED World War I, Downton Abbey tells the story of he was as Ian Curtis in Control) is the teen the white-hot trio of young British cinema: VIEWING the occupants of a stately home, from servants thug Pinkie pursued by Helen Mirren’s Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and to gentry, where rank, status and secrets cause Ida, the moral centre in an immoral mael- Andrew Garfield. WHEN English reserve to simmer with restrained strom. The updating from the 30s grime YOU WANT! passion. The sumptuous detail can now be of the novel to the Mod sharpness of 1964 Grand Designs enjoyed without the distractions of incessant injects an exhilarating style to the ‘gates Australia ad-breaks. So vulgar. of hell’ themes. $39.95 Based on the highly success- Special Offer: Buy Downton Abbey and get the The Street: Series 1, 2 & 3 DVD of Julian Fellowes’ and Robert Altman’s ful UK show and hosted by $24.95 each stately home drama Gosford Park for just $10 award-winning architect As Downton Abbey chroni- (Normally $14.95). While stocks last. Peter Maddison, Grand cles English wealth and Designs Australia follows the An Idiot Abroad privilege, so The Street shows structural, financial and us pride in adversity and the emotional journey of people $34.95 struggle against the cycle of building their own homes Karl Pilkington, Ricky poverty as the story of one over many months. Will the big skies and Gervais’s perma-puzzled muse house in a Northern street is sun-drenched landscapes of Australia alter in his addictive podcasts, is an told in each episode. Writer the Grand Designs template? And are Peter enigma. Are we laughing at and creator Jimmy McGovern, inventor of Maddison’s suits a match for the dandyesque him, with him or near him? the forensic-psych drama with Cracker, is Kevin McCloud’s? In this series it’s all three, as the master of TV drama with a heart and a Gervais and Stephen Mer- brain. ‘Television of the highest level and chant send the reluctant quality … brilliant performances.’ – Daily The Girl Who Kicked traveller from his home comforts into an Mail. ‘One of the strongest pieces of drama the Hornets’ Nest endurance test of culture shocks and gastric ever shown on television.’ – The Observer episodes from the Great Wall of China $39.95 (‘alright wall, more like’) to the Shaolin Angry Boys Millennium Trilogy Temple by way of a spiritual awakening $39.95 Collection Box Set by the Ganges. More idiot than savant. The controversy continues: $79.95 Apocalypse Now genius or court jester? Chris In his Millennium Trilogy, Lilley’s satirical reflection Stieg Larsson created an Blu-ray $39.95 on Australian society is a exciting character who Now that Francis Coppola’s cracked mirror to some and captured the hearts and Vietnam War masterpiece has a confronting truth to others. minds of readers worldwide, finally been released in the Either way it’s funny. It’s also and the three films based on pin-sharp definition of undeniably an enormous the bestsellers have en- Blu-ray, you can almost smell achievement in characterisation, like a thralled moviegoers across the napalm in the morning. bogan Peter Sellers. the globe. Stylish, intelligent, dark and Immerse yourself in the action-packed, The Girl with the Dragon hallucinogenic heart of Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and darkness journey again. Available in a French Food Safari The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest can limited edition metal case. Lyndey and Blair’s now be enjoyed in one big sensational Taste of Greece DVD collection. Includes bonus disc The World at War: Millennium: The Story, a documentary $29.95 each Complete Box-set feature detailing the phenomenon of the SBS, the food-pushers $89.95 Millennium Trilogy and the personal story network, tempts us with two This monumental 1973 of Stieg Larsson up until his tragic death. series is still the definitive more delectable series. After television document on the magnificent Italian Food A Cat in Paris Safari, Maeve joins re- World War II and provides a $34.95 compelling historical lesson nowned chef, Guillaume Brahimi on a food pilgrim- Dino, a common house cat, over 26 episodes. The newly lives a double life. He’s the restored print, the emotional age of France and Australia in a nine-part spectacular through food loyal pet of a lonely girl drive of Carl Davis’s music called Zoe but after sundown and Laurence Olivier’s poignant and markets, kitchens, restaurants, boulange- ries, patisseries and fromageries. Mmm ... he sneaks off to accompany authoritative narration combine with cat burglar Nico on breath- rigorously researched history and astound- caramelised pork belly and truffle scram- bled eggs. taking escapades across the ing eyewitness interviews (including Lord rooftops of Paris. Eventually, Mountbatten and Anthony Eden) to create Taste of Greece follows one of Zoe discovers what Dino is up to and is what the British Film Institute called ‘one Australia’s most recognised drawn into his thrilling adventures. In this of the greatest television programs of all food and wine personalities, unique throwback to a traditional art form, time’. Lyndey Milan, and her son every cell of the film has been hand-painted Blair as they tour Greece’s with a stunning palette that mirrors the Jane Eyre fascinating Peloponnese, magic and whimsy of the city of lights, as $14.95 seeking culinary delights, does the cool, retro jazz soundtrack. ‘My name is Jane Eyre. I was adventure and antiquities. AVAILABLE born in 1820, a harsh time of Lyndey and Blair, cook, eat, drink and change in England.’ So engage with the locals they meet along the begins the classic 1944 way – a charming yet eclectic mix of home Also released this month AUGUST 4 adaptation of Charlotte cooks, winemakers, producers, chefs and Lennon NYC, Pillars of the Earth, Jesus of Brontë’s gothic novel, restaurateurs. Mmm ... spanakopita and Nazareth, Hardware, Biutiful, How I Ended Film © 2010 Carnival Film & Television Mature themes, Limited. All Rights Reserved available in Australia for the feta pie. This Summer, It’s Gary Shandling’s Show violence and sexual references Like TV on DVD? first time on DVD. Starring Seasons 1 & 2, Carlos the Jackal, Go Back to facebook.com/tvondvd Joan Fontaine as Jane and Orson Welles at Where You Came From (SBS) his brooding best as Rochester. 18 Readings Monthly August 2011

Lane’s considerable gifts as a storyteller to relationships, sacrifice, working hard, staying really come to the fore. Lane is one to watch. hopeful and letting love grow … all with Declan Murphy is from Readings St Kilda Dolly’s trademark vigour and passion. And she’s touring in November! LM New Release CDs Future Universe Ron Peno & The Superstitions Pint of Blood transferred to the studio process. They’re all $24.95 Jolie Holland & brilliant players, but here the whole band also Future Universe is the debut solo effort from The Grand Chandeliers CD of the Month prove to be great songwriters, inspired by the former singer/songwriter with Sydney heroes $22.95 Moonfire past but always moving at breakneck speed Died Pretty (and all-round local music leg- This is Jolie Holland’s fifth Boy & Bear into the present and beyond. This stew com- end) Ron Peno. Peno has called Melbourne solo release since her work Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 bines blues, rock, southern soul, gospel and home for some time and after forming a with neo-traditionalist folk This is the Sydney based funk into a seductive, gritty and emotional partnership with ex-Sliver Ray guitarist group, The Be Good quintet’s highly anticipated ride, leaving you more than satisfied. Listen Cam Butler, The Superstitions were born. Tanyas. Accompanying her debut full-length album, to Don’t Let Me Slide and the funk-laden Love Possessed of one of the most uniquely on the album are The following their acclaimed Has Something Else to Say. Play it loud!!! LF brooding, soul-baring and recognisable Grand Chandeliers, who consist of Shahzad EP With Emperor Antarc- voices in Australian music, Peno & Co. Ismaily (of Doveman), Marc Ribot and Grey tica (2010). Describing The Light of the Sun have delivered a fabulous record. Indeed, Gersten. The singer/songwriter hails from their sound as ‘a combination of drivey Jill Scott Peno himself reckons Future Universe to be Houston, Texas and while her work retains indie folk and choral harmonies’, Boy & Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 his best work since Died Pretty’s definitive traditional elements of folk from this region, Bear have a style that is very reminiscent of Jill Scott is feeling Blessed, Doughboy Hollow – and after a couple of she also adeptly melds elements of country, the galloping rollick and harmonic sounds particularly with respect to listens, it’s hard to argue otherwise. DM rock and jazz into her work. Pint of Blood is of Mumford & Sons (who they supported her beloved young son, and a rich, wistful and melancholy album, with for their Australian tour in 2010), as well as she declares it on the Design Desire nine new releases and a closing cover of NSW band Cloud Control. Recorded in opening track of her fifth Abbe May Townes Van Zandt’s Rex’s Blues. MLF Nashville with producer Joe Chiccarelli album. It’s a warm, soulful $24.95 (The White Stripes, The Strokes and The record that tips its hat to Roberta Flack, Abbe May used to be in a noisy garage band Starlight Hotel Shins), Moonfire sees the band evolving in a Lauren Hill and Angie Stone, and celebrates called the Fuzz in her native Perth, where she Zoe Muth & very positive way, and their first single triumph over adversity with smooth, quiet has a deservedly strong following. Her new The Lost High Roller strength and honesty. The 1970s loom large Feeding Line has very quickly claimed the album, Design Desire, is a ripping rocker, her $24.95 on The Light of the Sun, the arrangements, number one spot on Triple J’s most-played guitar playing tough and crunchy, often pro- The High Rollers take their name from a style and artwork recalling Blaxploitation list. This is a must-have for those who viding a beguiling contrast with her voice, Towns Van Zand song, No Lonesome Tune. flicks, Pam Grier, and African-American and enjoyed their fantastic EP, or for anyone which is by turns delicately ethereal and The hype surrounding this sophomore female empowerment generally – there’s a with a penchant for indie-folk! bluesy tough. May is also a terrific songwrit- release by Zoe and her boys is well founded. Miranda La Fleur is from Readings St Kilda track called Womanifesto, a term which Scott er, with a great sense of riff, space, melody should patent without delay. Their influences are the as-mentioned and drama. Fans of P.J. Harvey and Adalita Townes, Kitty Wells, Merle Haggard and Lisa MacKinney is from Readings Carlton should definitely check this one out. LM WHATEVER’S ON Hank Williams. There has also been talk of Culture of Fear Zoe sounding a little like Iris Dement. I beg YOUR MIND Red Hot & Rio 2 to differ – her sound is more reminiscent of Gomez Thievery Corporation Various Artists Nanci Griffith. On listening to this record, $25.95 $25.95 $24.95 one comes away with a joyous feeling, from Over the years Gomez have Lulling you gently out of fear with the It has been 15 years since the album Red Hot the Mexican horns on the opening track threatened to become the dreamy opening Web of Deception, then & Rio and 20 years since the original Red Hot I’ve Been Gone. Even so, the songs contain mega-selling band they articulating into the much more forceful & Blue. The Red Hot Organisation for AIDS bleaker lyrical content. There is much to deserve to be, but have trip-hop title track, Culture of Fear is classic Research has brought together musicians admire on this record. MAS instead built a healthy Thievery Corporation. Absorbing tunes that from all over the world to reinterpret classic following while becoming a can elevate to the spiritual, the effects-laden, songs, from Brazil’s Tropicalia movement Heirloom Music major live act. Their early albums were a mix wistful and frankly excellent, Culture of Fear from the late 60s and 70s. John Legend, Wronglers with of sonic distortion and musical experimenta- reminded me of my love for the band and Beck and Aloe Blacc have recorded with caused me to go dig out my old albums and Jimmie Dale Gilmore tion and produced classic original albums original interpreters such as Milton Nasci- $29.95 Bring It On and In Our Gun. Somewhere sit in a happy puddle on the floor, as one mento and Caetano Veloso. Brilliantly put of the best electronica outfits out there mix In the very early 70s, zen cowboy JDG made along the way, things started to sound the together with the help of David Byrne, there an obscure album with some fellow Texans same. The new album, Whatever’s on Your themselves into the top of their game. are almost too many highlights on this Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton calling themselves the Flatlanders. Two de- Mind, is a return to form. It is a slow burner 2-CD set; it’s gorgeous. cades later, the long-lost album was reissued that sneaks up on you with repeated listens Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from The Future is Medieval and was a huge influence on the emerging and reminds us all why we thought they were Readings Carlton alt country sound. Gilmore would release so original way back when. The experimenta- Kaiser Chiefs well regarded albums sporadically and this tion is still there, though it has been refined Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 Rave On: Buddy Holly time around he has delved back into his roots with age. Their work is like watching a movie Just the mere mention of alt-rockers Kaiser Various Artists with Heirloom Music. Heirloom Music is a full of lush, vivid landscapes rolling across a Chiefs can send my arms into a flail pretend- Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 very enjoyable romp through a bunch of huge technicolour screen. ing to be some kind of dance, and my mind Tribute albums can be strange beasts. They’re old-time country and bluegrass covers, ob- Lou Fulco is a friend of Readings into an excited repeat of ‘nanananananana’ often criticised for straying too far from the scure and not. Gilmore’s distinctive singing is as I rush home to put on the previous original work – or on the flipside, for being perfectly backed up by the mandolin, fiddle, DIRTY JEANS AND albums and then sing terribly to them. Their too generic and not adding anything new. banjo and acoustic guitar-toting Wronglers. MUDSLIDE HYMNS new album The Future is Medieval is just The influence of the legendary Buddy Holly Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton John Hiatt as catchy, heading in a Madness direction is not in dispute here, a fact proven by the $25.95 with whacked-out synths (Things Change), interesting reworking of a good chunk of his John Hiatt’s career has spanned over 30 occasional Caribbean sounds (Heard it catalogue by a truly eclectic range of artists – years and his work has been covered by Bob Break), and much generally affable British The Detroit Cobras, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Jazz Dylan, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt and Eric jauntiness, while heading into occasionally Nick Lowe, Justin Townes Earle, Florence What’s It All About Clapton, to name a few. Along the way he harder rocking (Little Shocks) and the dance- and the Machine and Julian Casablancas, to inducing wistful (Out of Focus). FH Pat Metheny has given us Bring The Family, Slow Turning name a few. If it helps in any small way to $24.95 and the great Crossing Muddy Waters from introduce Buddy to a whole new generation, I approached this one with skepticism – how 2000. Don’t expect anything different here. Blood Thinner that has to be applauded. Jordie Lane many more albums of standards do we need Expect a great songwriter excelling at his craft, Melissa Whebell is from Readings Hawthorn to hear? However, a few things intrigued me. $29.95 telling us stories of characters and places rich Firstly, this was a solo acoustic album and After an extended and in personality and colour. His gravelly voice the standards were major radio hits from the clearly productive US rocks and rolls along with a bluesy, soulful 60s and 70s that a lot of us absorbed growing jaunt, local favourite Jordie feel. Always listen to his albums from start to Country up. But from the first few bars of track one, I Lane returns to our shores finish and let the chapters build like a good Better Day was transported somewhere else, as Metheny for the release of his second book that you can’t put down till you’re done. Dolly Parton extracted the most otherworldly sounds from long-player Blood Thinner. The deluxe version of the album includes a $19.95 a specially made 42-string harp guitar, on a After wowing listeners and proving himself a special behind-the-scenes DVD. LF Better Day is Dolly Parton’s sonic journey in and around the six-minute- serious home-grown talent with 2009’s Sleep- 41st studio album, and as plus easterly drift that was Paul Simon’s ing Patterns, Lane has opted for a decidedly REVELATOR Dolly declares emphatically Sounds of Silence. This is Metheny late at more stripped-back sound, with the entire Tedeschi Trucks Band in Country is as Country night with a few acoustic guitars and altered album home recorded to a small four-track Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 Does, she’s ‘country to the tunings, letting his muse take him – with a in motel rooms, basements and garages, If you haven’t heard Derek Trucks play slide bone’. True to her word, minimum of studio effects and overdubbing. while baking in the heat of the Californian guitar or Susan Tedeschi belt out a rootsy Better Day consists primarily of up-tempo Other highlights include the strum-fest of desert. Embracing the folk, country and tune, then you are in for a treat. This release country material, peppered with a few power surf guitar hit Pipeline and a beautiful bossa gospel staples of the Americana sound which proves that together they may possibly be ballads and some bluegrass-tinged numbers nova style of the Beatles tune And I Love Her Lane has so clearly been immersed in, it’s a greater than the sum of their parts. The that nod in the direction of The Grass is Blue on a nylon string guitar. Let’s hope Metheny tactic which works to great effect, creating 11-piece band already has a reputation of (1999). Thematically, this entirely self- has enough time and commitment to retune stark atmosphere and space, and allowing being an amazing live act and this is definitely penned album covers (among other things) those 42-strings and do a whole album. PB Readings Monthly August 2011 19

what we commonly refer to as ‘contempo- French music of the sixteenth century, while rary’ music and ancient melodies into an Concert Champêtre, which features a solo album that continuously lifts one’s spirit and clavecin, borrows from eighteenth-century challenges the ear. keyboard music. In each case, the overall Classical CDs Matt Bailey is a guest reviewer effect is as much earnest and original as it is quirky pastiche. This is music that doesn’t and the playing is strong and sympathetic. Glazunov: Complete get a lot of attention today, but it is exciting, The ten pieces here range from the overture Concertos (2 CDs) sometimes witty and often very beautiful, Classical CD to Weber’s first surviving opera Peter Schmoll Russian National Orchestra, José Serebrier delivered with dexterity and care by Immer- und seine Nachbarn – composed at the age of Warner Classics. WRCL679465. $27.95 seel and Anima Eterna. EM of the Month 15 – to Oberon, written for the Covent Gar- While Glazunov’s famous Violin Concerto Vivaldi: Prima Donna den less than two months before his death in A Minor is a staple of the violin repertoire, Nathalie Stutzmann from tuberculosis, aged 39. PR the other concertos in this 2 CD set – includ- DG. 4764390. Normally $26.95. ing concertos for piano, cello, horn and alto Our special price $21.95 Mozart: Divertimento saxophone – are rarely heard, making this Classical Specials I’m not one who usually in E flat major release something of a rare gem. José Ser- of the Month appreciates the world of the Henning Kraggerud, ebrier leads the Russian National Orchestra To Saint Cecilia classical vocalist, but with Lars Anders Tomter in brilliant performances that are tight and Marc Minkowski/Les Musiciens this recording, Nathalie & Christoph Richter clear-headed, allowing Glazunov’s lyrical du Louvre Stutzmann has managed to Naxos. 8572258. $12.95 romanticism to speak for itself. Rachel Barton Naïve. V5183. 2 CDs & book. Normally make me sit back and really This is a welcome addition to the ever- Pine gives a superb performance of the Violin $49.95 listen to the beauty and control of her expanding Naxos catalogue. Considered Concerto. The Cello Concerto, performed by Our special price $29.95 (while stocks last) instrument. The repertoire on this disc is a among the greatest works written for the Wen-Sinn Yang, is another highlight – per- This month’s special is from selection of arias by Vivaldi, who preferred combination of violin, viola and cello, this formed with a disciplined restraint that seems Marc Minkowski and Les the timbre of female contralti, for whom he divertimento is sure to delight anyone within to suit Glazunov’s music, which, despite Musiciens du Louvres, who accorded a place of honour in his operas. listening distance. At nearly 50 minutes in its lyricism, has a certain subtlety to it. present three major works The overall sound picture Stutzmann length, the three players involved never let Evan Meagher is from Readings Hawthorn celebrating Saint Cecilia, achieves here is immaculate. She not only the music become static or dull, which is a the patron saint of music. sings but conducts the period instrument great compliment to them – and of course, BachCage While St Cecilia is the figure who inspired ensemble Orfeo 55, who play brilliantly. to the brilliance of Mozart. If your first love Francesco Tristano this recording, the album showcases music by Stutzmann’s voice is like rich dark chocolate is chamber music – and even if it’s not – this DG. 4764173. Normally $25.95 three composers: Purcell, Handel and Haydn. – but unlike chocolate, it will not be recording will not disappoint. PR Our special price $21.95 (while stocks last) Marc Minkowski chose to record a Missa detrimental to your health if you over I’ve tried to think of a more cogent connec- Breve version of Haydn’s Cäcilienmesse, which indulge. Highly recommended. Vivaldi: French tion between J.S. Bach and John Cage than includes only the Kyrie and Gloria. These Phil Richards is from Readings Carlton that provided in the enigmatic liner notes Connection 2 were composed by Haydn some years before to this disc by Bruce Brubaker, and I’m not Adrian Chandler the complete Mass was written. Minkowski Steve Reich: sure I can. Certainly both were innovators, & La Serenissima decided to focus on this shorter version, and The Desert Music/ and the program here carries that spirit of AVIE. AV2218. $29.95 to augment it with two exceptional arias from innovation further, with recordings treated three Movements Adrian Chandler and La the complete mass, Et incarnatus est and Et elaborately in post-production by pro- Kristjan Jarvi Serenissima, winners of resurrexit. The accompanying 134-page book ducer Moritz von Oswald. Tristano’s Bach is Chandos. CHSA5091. Baroque Instrumental includes 12 paintings and representations of enjoyably strict, and the recordings seem to Normally $34.95. Our special price $19.95 category in the 2010 Saint Cecilia by the likes of Raphael, Rubens, support his approach by enhancing the per- Reich’s own comment about this recording is Gramophone Awards for Mignard, Lely, De Vouez, Da Cortona and cussive qualities of the piano sound. Tristano particularly true and on the money: ‘Inci- Vivaldi: The French Domenichino. sive, focused, and intense … perform[ed] Connection, return with the sequel, French selects some less familiar Cage works – all with a relaxed rhythmic precision that Connection 2. This is another well-executed works for un-prepared piano that are, nev- A Choral Year perfectly fits the music.’ This new offering performance of Vivaldi concertos, featuring ertheless, treated to a variety of subtle reverb with J.S. Bach from increasingly present conductor Kristjan the flute, bassoon, oboe and violin. Included and delay effects. In the piano version of Cage’s The Seasons, this is particularly effec- Masaaki Suzuki & Jarvi features Reich’s Three Movements for here is the newly discovered concerto Il Gran Bach Collegium Japan Orchestra and The Desert Music. Similar in Mogul for flute, strings and continuo. This is tive – the work’s atmospheric qualities subtly BISCD. 1951. Normally $19.95 sound world, they are nonetheless impor- baroque music at its finest; those of you not brought to the fore. EM Our special price $9.95 tantly different. The Three Movements stays familiar with Vivaldi, other than the Four (very limited stock at this price) static and explores a singular idea, while The Seasons, should try this disc. PR Poulenc: Concerto Desert Music takes that sound and expands, for Two Pianos, Suite Founded by Masaaki Suzuki in 1990, the contracts and discovers new worlds. Mini- Meredith Monk: Française, Concert Bach Collegium Japan began its landmark malist without ever being boring, this is a series of Bach’s cantatas in 1995. Suzuki has Songs of Ascension Champêtre now devised a compilation of some of his great new collection for a music nut of any Meredith Monk Anima Eterna Brugge, description. personal favourites among the choral move- Kate Rockstrom is from Readings Carlton ECM2154. $24.95 Jos van Immerseel ments from the cantatas. The programme of Meredith Monk is a true visionary and Zig-Zag. ZZT110403. $30.95 the disc follows the Lutheran liturgical calen- Weber: Overtures pioneer in the power and versatility of the The music on this disc was written between dar, beginning with Advent and ending with Jean-Jacques Kantorow human voice. Performing and composing 1928 and 1935, during a period when the Feast of the Reformation. This disc tra- for more than 40 years, Monk’s versatility Poulenc was associated with the group Les verses the full range of events and emotions & Tapiola Sinfonietta extends beyond just her vocal gymnastics; Six – composers who were reacting musically that constitute the church year, from the BIS. BISSACD1760. she has worked as a director, filmmaker and against the excesses of high-Romanticism, joyous expectancy of Nun Komm der Heiden Normally $34.95. Our special price $29.95 choreographer, creating multi-disciplinary often by appropriating elements of music Heiland, by way of the Passion of Christ, Carl Maria Von Weber is known as the works that dwell in the spaces between mu- from earlier centuries. The Concerto for Two to Bach’s elaboration on Martin Luther’s father of German Romantic opera but is sic, theatre, and dance. Monk’s new album Pianos and Orchestra is an exhilarating work, hymn Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. Suzuki only really recognised for the opera Der Songs of Ascension is certainly one of her probably inspired by the neo-classicism of also offers two further favourites ‘beyond the Freischutz. This new disc from Jean-Jacques more ‘ethereal’ projects to date. Collaborat- Stravinsky. The opening theme periodically church year’: Bach’s universally loved setting Kantorow and the Tapiola Sinfonietta will ing with the Todd Reynolds string quartet echoes Mozart or Beethoven, but this is of Jesus bleibet meine Freude, and Dona Nobis definitely enhance his reputation as a com- and the M6 vocal ensemble, Monk’s lilting Beethoven derailed, demented and racing in Pacem, the heartfelt prayer for peace for the poser. All the pieces are beautifully written vocals and extended techniques transcend all directions at once. Suite Française revives world from the B Minor Mass.

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5 Aug to 10 Sept 2011 The Arts Centre, Playhouse Book at mtc.com.au or theartscentre.com.au

With louis Corbett, stuart halusz, John howard, Geoff Kelso, Claire lovering and alison Whyte Director Kate Cherry Set & Costume Designer Christina smith Lighting Designer Matt scott Sound Designer/Composer iain Grandage Associate Director stuart halusz

a blaCK sWan sTaTe TheaTre CoMpany prodUCTion MTC is a deparTMenT of prodUCTion parTner The UniversiTy of MelboUrne

FREE EXHIBITION

MAGGIE DIAZ NORMAN IKIN HELMUT NEWTON ATHOL SHMITH WOLFGANG SIEVERS MARK STRIZIC DACRE STUBBS HENRY TALBOT

It is 1947. A sixteen-year-old German orphan, Join Matilda and the lilac-hedge folk as they State Library Stefan Landau, has come to live with his aunt’s battle to save their world from wicked imps, giant of Victoria family in England. Elizabeth does not know what toads and so much worse... Girls of all ages will be to make of this traumatized boy in his shabby caught up in this not-so-traditional fairy story, by Hitler Youth uniform. The moving story of two the acclaimed author of Tensy Farlow. AS MODERN families entangled by love and friendship. AS TOMORROW PhotograPhers in Postwar Melbourne

slv.vic.gov.au/modern

Supported by:

Discover the work of Melbourne’s leading postwar photographers. This free exhibition of striking commercial images gives a unique insight into the changing cultural and social Oliver’s Ted is no ordinary soft toy. Superbly Kim Terakes shows us how to create our favourite fabric of mid-century Melbourne. trained and afraid of nothing (well, almost), Ted dishes from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and has dedicated his life to saving others. But will Vietnam. Learn how to perfect salt and pepper his rescue mission to the Wild Forest knock the squid, whip up a pad Thai, roll your own sushi or stuffing out of him once and for all? And will he try your hands at the classics – beef pho, green State Library of Victoria ever return to his loving owner, Oliver? curry chicken and san choi bau. 328 Swanston Street Melbourne 1 July 2011–5 Feb 2012 Images, from top left: Wolfgang Sievers, Cotton ring spinning frame, Fibremakers, Bayswater 10am–5pm daily Helmut Newton, Crude distillation unit – tower sections and process (detail), 1966; Maggie Diaz, Detail of machinery photographed for (to 9pm Thursdays, pipelines (detail), c. 1953; Norman Ikin, Valerie Wittman Ikin at ‘The Nilsen Story’, c. 1960s; Athol Shmith, Julie Reiter modelling for the Caulfield Cup, 1950; Mark Strizic, Robin Boyd (detail), 1970; Patons Bluebell Crepe (detail), c. 1960s, © the estate of Athol Shmith penguin.com.au closed public holidays) Dacre Stubbs, Printing equipment, Kodak Australasia (detail), c. 1951; (all gelatin silver photographs)