Free June 2012 Readings Monthly

Chris Flynn on Paul D. Carter • Jeff Sparrow & Antony Loewenstein Image from cover of A l i son lester’s new book sopHie scott goes sout h (pengu n). see p11 Alison Lester’s Sophie Scott Goes South

June book, CD & DVD new releases. More new releases inside.

fiction aus fiction biography aus fiction YA DVD POp CD CLASSICAL $32.95 $27.95 $27.99 $32.95 $27.95 $32.95 $27.95 $19.95 $34.95 $24.95 $19.95 $26.95 $21.95 >> p5 >> p5 >> p8 >> p5 >> p10 >> p13 >> p14 >> p15

June event highlights : Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows at St Kilda; Skye Rogers; Terry Denton at Hawthorn. See more events inside.

All shops open 7 days, except State Library shop, which is open Mon- Sat. Carlton 309 Lygon St 9347 6633 Hawthorn 701 Glenferrie Rd 9819 1917 Malvern 185 Glenferrie Rd 9509 1952 St Kilda 112 Acland St 9525 3852 Readings at the State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston St 8664 7540 Readings at the Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Genetics Lane, off Royal Parade, Parkville 9347 1749 Browse and buy at www.readings.com.au The definitive guide to your city, written by local experts Only $4.95. Now available at all Readings Stores timeout.com/melbourne 2 Readings Monthly June 2012

From the Books Desk Mark’s Say

The last time I was in London, I was staying News and views from Readings’ managing near Marchmont St, a little local shopping MThis Literary Re sidenMonth’scy Collins St 5pm News. The lovely cover of They’re A director Mark Rubbo strip near Russell Square, where I saw an Programme Weird Mob by Nino Culotta was designed/ Over the last couple of intriguing shopfront: ‘The School of Life’. Applications for the 2013 M Literary illustrated by W.H. Chong. See here for more I later discovered that it offered a range of details about this iconic new Australian series: years I seem to have been Residency Programme are now open. The getting quite a lot of evening classes ‘to help people form useful Programme funds three-month residencies http://textclassics.com.au/the-books and insights around the big themes in life’ (and remember you can pick up a copy of one of requests to speak to in India and China for writers of fiction, various groups. It’s not also, one-on-one ‘bibliotherapy’ sessions, nonfiction, poetry or dramatic prose. (The the 30 Australian Classics for only $12.95 or matching particular books with particular buy 4 for 3. something residency in India is at Sangam House, I overly enjoy doing and lately the requests interests/dreams/concerns. A book doctor, which can also be applied to separately: anyone? See http://www.theschooloflife. BLOOMSDAY 2012 have been that I talk about the future of www.sangamhouse.org). The Application the book and bookshops. Like newspapers, com/About). Form, Residency Guidelines and informa- On 16 June 2012, Blooms- day in Melbourne celebrates the prospects don’t seem all that good or at Now these folk have published a series of tion on the Residency can be found at: least uncertain. The best part is the people; books addressing ‘how to live’, with contrib- http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/mbund/ James Joyce’s Molly Bloom with a theatrical adaptation mostly people who want to hear my utors ranging from Alain de Botton (How Ms_residency.html or Facebook page: views on the future of the book are pretty to Think More About Sex) to our very own https://www.facebook.com/m.literaryresi- of the Penelope chapter of Ulysses, Yes, Yes, Yes!, directed passionate about books, so it often ends John Armstrong (How to Worry Less About dency. Applications close on 1 July, 2012. in a bit of a love fest about books – and Money). by Brenda Addie. In addition, there will be a especially physical books and the evils of win a Vintage Amazon (I have to confess Continuing the self-help theme, Augusten classics library! seminar by Professor John Gatt-Rutter on Burroughs brings us surely the longest title the Joyces’ time in Trieste and their associa- I encourage this part). of this month’s new release batch: This is tion with Italo Svevo, and a dinner celebrat- Last month I was invited to talk to the How: Help for the Self: Proven Treatment to ing Bloomsday. Bookings online at www. Ivanhoe Reading Circle. The Circle began Overcome Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spin- bloomsdayinmelbourne.org.au/bookings. in 1920 and has met continuously since sterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude htm, or by phoning Bob on 03 9898 2900. then; it only met once in 1923 as the & More. For Old and Young Alike. He’s a President, and founder, Reverend Rock man with his fair share of life experience Readings @ the Brain was ‘on tour’. Many members have behind him, and its chapters range from Centre is now open! belonged for decades and the current ‘How to finish your drink’ to perhaps my Readings’ new neuroscience secretary, Heather Low, joined over 60 favourite: ‘How to remain unhealed’. This month we have a special Vintage Classics shop at Melbourne Univer- years ago. offer for you. If you buy a Vintage Classic at sity’s Brain Centre is now Some interesting polemical works are also The circle has kept a record of each book any Readings shop (except online) you can open. Stocking books on a feature this June. I’m expecting a few discussed. In the early days the books go in the draw to win a library of 30 Vintage neuroscience, psychology, feathers to fly upon the release of Richard were predominately works by Dickens, Classics of your choice. (Please note: custom- psychotherapy, general Hil’s Whackademia: An Insider’s Account of Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters and Robert ers need to complete a competition form in non-fiction, fiction and the Troubled University. We asked a friend Louis Stevenson. It wasn’t until 1933 that any of our shops and attach your receipt from bargain books and stationery, of Readings (and practising academic) to re- the first Australian book appeared – M. your Vintage Classic purchase to enter.) Readings @ the Brain Centre is well-posi- view this book for us – but naturally assured Barnard Eldershaw’s A House is Built. In tioned in one of the largest neuroscience them of anonymity! And Anthony Loewen- 1943 they read Hewlett Johnson’s The Credit for cover facilities in the world. stein and Jeff Sparrow have edited a collec- Socialist Sixth of the World; Johnson was an tion of essays on the continuing relevance of of the May Readings Monthly The Centre will accommodate research English clergyman who styled himself as a the left tradition in contemporary politics: on brain disorders that affect one in seven Marxist Christian. His book was an ode to On the cover of our May Left Turn, which features authors including people, including stroke, Parkinson’s Disease the Soviet Union. At the time the cold war Readings Monthly, we Christos Tsiolkas and Larissa Behrendt. and Alzheimer’s Disease, by encouraging solid was in the Future and Stalin was our ally so included part of the image on links forged between clinicians, researchers, that made it alright. As for fiction, the offerings are substantial: the cover of They’re a Weird hospitals and research institutes. Located in a ‘modern fairytale’ of the contemporary Mob by Nino Culotta as part The mixture of selections suggests that the Kenneth Myer Building at Melbourne UK from Martin Amis, Lionel Asbo; Richard of the new Text Australian the aim was edification of the circle rather University, Genetics Lane, off Royal Parade, Ford’s long-awaited new novel Canada; Classics that were released than entertainment, so in 1962 they read Readings @ the Brain Centre is open Mon- and Michael Frayn’s delicious farce Skios. that month. Unfortunately we Australia’s Home by Robin Boyd and Ibsen’s day–Friday 9am–5pm. Ph: 9347 1749. For My pick, though, would be the wonderful left off the credit for the cover and it has Wild Duck. In the late 70s Australian more information email braincentre@read- Enrique Vilas-Matas’s Dublinesque, about a caused a bit of a to-do as customers have authors become more and more prevalent, ings.com.au or visit us at readings.com.au. Spanish publisher prone to anxiety attacks mistaken it for the famous Bracks painting a reflection of the growth of Australian fuelled by giving up alcohol and concern for publishing. The 90s see a greater propor- the future of the book (a near-lethal com- tion of contemporary books which suggests bination I agree!). On a visit to the Dublin a response to the more effective marketing of Joyce and Beckett, he possibly sights the by publishers and I suspect more individual writerly genius he has spent his entire career ownership of books. searching for … Changing lists could also reflect changing Next month: more highlights, plus a little membership. It was suggested to me that report from BookExpo America, which I will the secretary of the circle wielded great attend in early June. influence over the selection and Vere —Martin Shaw Duncan occupied this position from 1922- 1994 and after her retirement the selections were weighted to contemporary writers such as Ishiguro, Toibin and Tomalin. Readings Monthly The members are rightfully proud of their Readings Monthly is a free independent heritage. monthly newspaper published by Readings Our discussion was amiable and we all Books, Music & Film. agreed that we all love bookshops and Editorial enquiries: Kabita Dhara at the printed book and would hate to see [email protected] either disappear. If you are looking for an Advertising enquiries: Ingrid Josephine at interesting reading challenge, the circle [email protected] or welcomes new members – you can contact call 03 9341 7739. them at www.ivanhoereadingcircle.org.au. Thank you to Readings staff members and contributors for your reviews. Oslo Davis www.oslodavis.com

Cinema Nova and Text Classics Pick a side: proudly present book or film! 380 LYGON ST CARLTON Coming up: www.cinemanova.com.au Film screening and discussion - Careful, He Might Hear You first Wednesday of the month. Wednesday June 6: 6.45pm They’re A Weird Mob Wednesday July 4: 6.45pm Online booking availble An exciting series of Page To Picture events exploring great Join Careful He Might Hear You producer Jill Robb, Text Classics’ publisher Michael Wake In Fright Visit the Cinema Nova Bar Australian literature brought to the screen. Join us for rare Wednesday August 1: 6.45pm cinema screenings of five classic Australian films, to be Heyward and others as they discuss Sumner Try Nova Deluxe In-cinema dining My Brilliant Career followed by a panel discussion featuring many of this country’s Locke Elliott’s award-winning story of a“An young Wednesday September 5: 6.45pm Join our e-news for updates on the Met Opera, greatest arts identities. boy’s experiences during the Great Depression. Stiff National Theatre and other stage spectaculars. Hurry, these events will sell out! Season pass to all five events available from the box office, Single bookings available ambitiousonline. Wednesday October 3: 6.45pm Readings Monthly June 2012 3 Flora Bowley Brave Intuitive Painting: Let Go, Be Bold, Meet the bookseller Unfold (Quarry, PB, $29.99) will be launched with great aplomb! Thursday 7 with … June, 6.30pm, Readings St Kilda. Free, no Bernard Vella, Readings Malvern AllJune our Readings book andEvents music events are need to book. entry by gold coin donation, unless other- 20 wise stated. Please note that bookings do not Graphic Novels! Con Verevis guarantee a seat, but rather indicate to us the Melbourne! & Claire Perkins number of people to expect. To see more events Graphic Novels! Melbourne! is Academics Con and Claire will be launch- or for updates on new events please visit the a feature length documentary ing their respective books, Film Trilogies events page at www.readings.com.au. about comic book culture in (Palgrave, HB, $127) and American Smart Melbourne, focusing on Cinema (New South, HB, $99). Thursday comic artists Mandy Ord, 7 June, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no 3 Pat Grant, Bruce Mutard and need to book. Alley Bucci Nicki Greenberg. The film is Join us for a celebration of The Ladybug produced and directed by Glenda Banks Without Any Spots! by Alley Bucci. Daniel Hayward and Bernard Caleo, and is VWT Director Mary Crooks will be Sunday 3 June, 2pm, Readings Hawthorn. set to premiere in Melbourne in October launching former journalist Banks’s book, Free, no need to book. 2012. To raise funds and celebrate the A Respectable Married Woman (Lacuna, PB, Why do you work in books? brilliant work of Melbourne’s very own $27.95). Tuesday 12 June, 6.30pm, Read- ings Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. I love the atmosphere of bookshops, graphic novel community please join us for a and the wonderful interactions that 7 night of jolly good cheer and art. Wednesday Avigail Abarbanel you have with all the people that are Skye Rogers 20 June, 6.30pm, Westgarth Theatre, attracted to them. Join us for the magic of Northcote. Tickets are $20 per person. Beyond Tribal Loyalties: Personal Stories cutting and doing. Each Bookings essential: 9347 6633. of Jewish Peace Activists will be launched, What’s the best book you’ve read lately? discussed and celebrated. Tuesday 12 June, participant must bring a milk Last 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no need to I’ve just read Roberto Bolano’s carton with them. Roger’s Evenings on Earth. It’s a collection of short book, Paper Bliss (Harper- 28 book. Terry Denton stories originally published in English Collins, HB, $45) is an Kimberely McConchie translation in 2007. It’s full of characters exquisite look at paper craft. Join divine artist and all-round gorgeous that I find attractive. They are outside of Thursday 7 June, 6.30–8pm, funny man, Terry Denton as he shows you A celebration of her son’s life through the the social norm, always a little removed, Readings Hawthorn. $50 per person the tricks of the trade. Suitable for kids aged launch of Kimberely’s book, Leukaemia: The all of them struggling writers, Bolano’s includes a copy of Paper Bliss and workshop. 7–12. Thursday 28 June, 5-6pm, Readings Book. Wednesday 13 June, 6.30pm, Read- so called ‘failed generation’, and many Bookings only through Readings Hawthorn: Hawthorn. Bookings essential: 9819 1917. ings Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. of them exiles from General Pinochet’s 9819 1917. military dictatorship. 28 I should also mention This is Not the 14 Pages to Poetry End of the Book, a fascinating discussion Joe Camilleri and Coming in July between Umberto Eco and Jean-Claude Internationally acclaimed poet Kevin Hart Kylie Kwong Carriere on the future of the book in the Black Sorrows is featured at Pages to Poetry in June. Wonderful chef Kwong’s the digital age. To acknowledge and celebrate the release of His latest poetry collection is Morning warmth is as delicious and the 3CD set and book titled Crooked Little Knowledge (University of Notre Dame accessible as her cooking. What have you noticed people buying lately? Press, PB, $27.95). He will be joined by Thoughts join Joe and his people as they play Wednesday 4 July, 6.30pm, Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel has poet, novelist,AllianceFrançaise critic and playwright, Ali some tracks from the album.Thursday 14 Readings Hawthorn. $20 per been much anticipated and Anna Funder’s Alizadeh,de whose Melbourne latest poetry book is Ashes June, 6.30pm,Readings St Kilda. Free, but person includes wine by All that I Am continues to sell strongly. please book on 9525 3852. in the AirWe (UQP,teach French PB, $24.95); and emerg- Brown Brothers and tastes ing poet Fiona Hile, who has just released from Kwong’s new book What’s the strangest experience you’ve had The Family Idiot (Vagabond Press). Thurs- Simple Chinese Cooking (Lantern, HB, in a bookshop?

day 28 June, 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. $59.95). Bookings essential and only available 15 ‒17 Having a customer come up to the Free, no need to book. from Readings Hawthorn : 9819 1917 Antipodes counter at our Port Melbourne shop Writers Festival and order two cappuccinos two years The Antipodes Writers Ita Buttrose after we had closed the cafe. Festival launches on 15 June No introduction needed, just AllianceFrançaise at The WheelerAllianceFrançaise Centre with a simple acknowledgement of What’s the best experience you’ve had Launches de Melbourne award-winning authorde Melbourne Kristin Henry one of Australia’s greatest and in a bookshop? most influential women. We teach French Christos TsiolkasWe (left) teach Frenchin Celebrate the launch of All the Way Home There really have been a lot. The most conversation with Professor (UWAP, PB, $24.95) by Kristin Henry. Buttrose was the founding recent was a Gruffalo event when one of Cultural Studies at 21the Andrea Goldsmith will be doing the hon- editor of Cleo, and later as the of the children asked a staff member why University of Melbourne,June ours. Monday 4 June, 6.30pm, Readings editor of the Australian the Guffalo looked the way he did. Nikos Papastergiadis. Readings is the 2012official Hawthorn. Free, no need to book. Women’s Weekly. Join us as we This particular staff member was very bookseller, with a pop-up bookstore at The celebrate Buttrose’s memoir A Passionate Life quick on her feet and answered that Wheeler Centre. 15–17 June, The Wheeler Dominique Hecq (Penguin, PB, $29.95) Wednesday 4 July, ‘well it’s probably because his mother Centre. Evening sessions are ticketed events, Creative Writing in the 21st Century will be 6.30pm, Cinema Nova, $10 per person, and father looked that way too’. It was and all other sessions are free of charge. launched this evening. Wednesday 6 June, which is redeemable against the book. a lovely moment, a time to ponder an Please see antipodesfestival.com.au/writers 6.30pm, Readings Carlton. Free, no need to Bookings essential at Readings Carlton: important question through the eyes 9347 6633. for Amore details and to book tickets. book. of a child and then the moment was over ll ia and we turned our attention back to n a d the Gruffalo himself and the mass of c il A K e t n S screaming excited children who really F et, A r t re a St M F A e do love the Gruffalo in spite of his looks. n sl a r li d 2 ç Fêter idel la Musique June 21 21 s a K 10 a e C a 21 B t 50 ld St a is e 1 i , n r t K et k e S e What was your favourite book as a kid? D 5 e , r St 1 ry t t June r G c e S e e o re n r e c a d o Fêtet de la Musique is the world’s largest international live music t y S r S Juneg So tree ib d lan s uth t, St Kil L clan Ac ’ Me da lda 2 A 8 u My father was a great lover2012 of the classics B lbo St Ki 11 8 a 2012 a urne event. Developed. by the French Government in 1982, the Fête is r Town Ha gs o m 54 A ll adin m o and I have early and fond memories of clan Re e c d St M e. reet, St Ki da held int 450n cities across the globe on the very same day each year lda St Kil fo a ur being read Aesop’s fables.Later, Alice in in bo r–e 21 June.el On this day, both amateur and professional musicians will Mo fm Wonderland on the insistence of a primary w.a wwbe performing at ANAM, in venues around St Kilda and at Readings school teacher and then Mark Twain’s great

AllianceFrançaiseThis project has been assisted by the Port Phillip classics Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of AllianceFrançaiseAllianceFrançaise City Council throughSt the LocalKilda Festivals Fund. shop! Find out more at www.afmelbourne.com.au. de Melbourne de Melbournede Melbourne We teach French We teach French We teach French Huckleberry Finn. A A l l li li a a n a ld n a c i d A e K c il We’re going back! Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2012 t A K n S e t t, S F e n A t re F t, 21 r t ee a F S A t r 21 M e r t June A l a 21 S 2012 n is a a r l d F June M d l e l r A Junel i 2 ç i 2012 Last year,K Readings organised a very successful tour of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, Indonesia—so successful a n a s t a 1 s K 2012 C i S r l d d a a a l 0 e t, t r l i 0 i d e a l d ç K 2 d i e 5 l S a l B r i t t i i K K t 1 , 1 s C K S e t S a a s t e a t t K 0 S t, t e l S n 0 a e e d , t t, s r

i t e d 5 S a u l a k e B e l l t e r S e i i i r d A 1 , e d l t a D that we’vee decided to do it again! We are seeking expressions of interest to be part of our special tour package to this year’s Festival e l a i , r r K. 5 r S e y a i S s t K t C t K t t t 1

t K S e t n S t 0 l S r m e e t t r S r S G c , t 5 e d s k , e to e S i e l s 1 a u r e t n S l o , r e e n s c d a D e r a e c d r i t A , a a u l l o t 5 . y S e y e l e a i t e c r . t t d r 1 r r A e S S n l t y t a C K t e t A a i t r e . S r S S r S t g r n G c 0 a C r 8 K t m e b d o e e d S l 5 e r 8 rd o t S i 0 , t, n r n o e n m u e a r a s 1 c c d t n S S y o t 5 a u d a l c t t L t , r o te a s l s 1 K r c l A t n . S S n (3-7 October,o 2012). Our tour package includes festival passes, accommodation and special opportunitiesh to meet writers.i o ae ld c c e A c t e r a a S b e a b g r l a .t y t M A e b d e 2 lA 8 o c o l i S r d e 1 e n ’ l f 2 i t r t, n t y e8 e 8 u A i u 1 c c m L d K 1 S l S 8 t S a n r t r n b t L 8 s l r in 1 K A a m d B o h e i 8 l c r a u a d f s l u a r n n a r e t a a M A c r a u a o . 8 r n d l d g t e A . o a r e ’ l M e i 2 8 u c l o b o b a K o a 2 l T 1 w s S Ao i l t e o i o o b 1 b n b 1 w 2 i a M f e n B o 1 l wm g i K o c H a c L r 1 tivals Fund. m u d f e n 5 all 1 n r t Liked to knowi more? Please email your expression of interest to [email protected] by 30 June, 2012. .c m w ed by the Port Phillipm L i n e 4 e S a nl s f d m a ii a e o n m A a T s e e e a R o o a a sd f r c w n il Ke d g . e n A K R M o l c g al a r H t r . m a l e S g . w n 5 ll d l ot i n t Phillip . n l e t, Ml i i Fr l ee a o i d 4 a tr S Phillip M m o i S n H Kw a w S M d n y n c o re This project has been assist t e A City Council through the Local Fes a w a e c 1 G i M d r R o a e c e e F c 5 K e T ild t w d w et t r K l a l a c se drn a , S a nçai t u d t S w t n n A lbo , S i Ki d . e l t ld e a a M a a l e d n S th i e d i u r l A So t i K r S M A 2 eet M 10 B k Str e S K R K an a t e d t t d r l n S l eK S e i a t o l l e A l K Re c t, l t i A e u t a t r a F 4 e f , S l a e S 5 tr S t n l t S H K l e t, l i n e y n d i e This project has been assisted by the Por lda Fr e a r r a City Council through the Local Festivals Fund l a c r a G w a n o i e St ’H B S51 o d Do s T n y g n l i r i e F This project has been assisted by the Port K r e City Council through the Local Festivals Fund. c G r w a n K t 1 a o se r S e 5 nçai d u t b o T l i o S Visit the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival website at www.ubudwritersfestival.com. F A e lb , e r n K e t l f an se u r çai n ou St th M ee r A Aelb 2 t, eet Sou tr e n M M 10 Beank Str S o h d o i A t Sout tre an M 210 Bank Stree S Acl b nd 4 a 5 M m e cl l A r e r 54 Dogs’ Bar af Mo fmDogs’ Ba w. w.a ww ww This project has been assisted by the Port Phillip City Council through the Local Festivals Fund. This project has been assisted by the Port Phillip City Council through the Local Festivals Fund. 4 Readings Monthly June 2012 New Australian Writing Feature

ChrisA Flynn interviewsbeautiful Paul D. Carter about his Vogel-winning and debut, Eleven Seasons brutal (A&U, PB, Normally $30, Ourgame special price $24.95. Ebook $14.99)

with the effect sport can have on young A lifelong Collingwood fan, Carter is people: pleased that the game has transformed in recent times from frightening tribalism to ‘Within the game Jason has confidence, a more family oriented occasion. ‘Football direction, self-determination, but outside of plays deeply in my family life. I go to my that he doesn’t know where he fits in. It’s a brother’s place every week to watch the perspective of high school from an insecure, game … That kind of ritual sharing and scared person. If I had a kid who’s disen- language draws people together in a way gaged in class and his parents said he didn’t that is very meaningful and valuable.’ need to study because he’s going to be a footballer, I would say well what happens when he’s 32 and he’s invested in a couple of tanning salons and he’s that bloke who ‘What’s the used to be someone? ‘... One of the unmentioned problems in difference between AFL and other codes is what do they do after? … To be a sportsman in this country being a man and is in many ways the epitome of what a man can be, but what happens when you pass being an adult? that epitome?’ Is the world of After setting out to write a sports story Winning the Vogel has to be coming of age story with an AFL backdrop. (inspired by the baseball prologue in Don one of the strangest feelings football, which is full DeLillo’s Underworld), Carter quickly of elation for an unpub- It begins in 1985, with teenage Haw- realised that there was more value in using lished author because you thorn Hawks fanatic Jason Dalton drift- of men, a substitute AFL as a means to explore how young men find out seven months ing through an anarchic high school life. mature into adulthood, or in some cases, before anyone else and until Not an academic star, Jason makes up for for being an adult?’ avoid doing so: ‘It’s hard being young be- the public announcement, his failure in the classroom by shining on cause you have no autonomy and you have you can’t tell anyone. the football field and it is clear he has the a lot of anger, a lot of angst. Sport, music, No interest in footy is required to enjoy During that entire period the manuscript is potential to become a professional. His fashion, having a place to go can help Eleven Seasons. As a sporting luddite with being edited and redrafted so that the mother hates the sport with a determina- sublimate those feelings into a safe place, no earthly interest in AFL, I powered cathartic moment, when it comes, is more tion that is irrational to Jason, but without which is self-productive.’ Eleven Seasons not through this remarkable debut novel that about having completed the final version of a father figure he only has team coach Arnie only tackles these feelings of needing to will make you wish for more Australian your debut novel than having claimed a to look to for guidance. As the end of high belong but also raises vital questions about sports stories. As Carter himself notes, famous prize. As 2012 winner Paul Carter school nears and Hawthorn come a calling, how cloistered education and young adult ‘Sport is what us antipodean barbarians observed, ‘It’s more a case of yes! It’s done! Jason’s dream of a life on the footy field is life can be. succeed in. Considering how central it is to And it’s out! Rather than, I won!’ almost within reach, despite the strain it is our lives, there’s a big gap’. placing on the relationship with his mother. ‘What’s the difference between being a man This sentiment is sure to be echoed by There’s a terrible secret to be revealed that and being an adult? Is the world of football, In another great year for the Vogel, Eleven future Vogel champions since the prize will send Jason in another direction for the which is full of men, a substitute for being Seasons goes a long way to plugging that reshuffled its schedule in 2011 to release second half of the story, a sad, tough and an adult? ... Richard Ford said in The Lay gap, leaving the roar of the crowd ringing the successful novel at the same time as cautionary tale on the perils of choosing a of the Land that being a man is all about in your ears long after the final page has the announcement of the winner. Eleven sporting life and a searing exploration of showing hardness. I think that’s pretty true been turned. Seasons has caused a stir already, for it is one contemporary masculinity. … The characters in the book, particularly of those rarely sighted Australian birds – a Chris Flynn is books editor at The Big Issue at the football club, are constantly express- literary sports novel. Or more accurately, a Carter is a high school teacher fascinated and the author of A Tiger in Eden. ing their manliness through bravado.’

space to challenge the establishment line possibility of real change. over war and peace. There are occasional voices contesting this policy or that strategy JS: Are you optimistic about the political future? but few who have consistently claimed that Voices of the Left the ‘war on terror’ is more about instill- AL: I have no faith that the major parties in Jeff Sparrow and Antony Loewenstein discuss their new edited collection ing fear in the community than killing our the West are interested or capable of serious Left Turn: Political Essays for the New Left (MUP, PB, $32.99. Ebook $14.99). enemies. reform. But I have some hope in indepen- dent and online media to investigate parts of AL: Why hasn’t the Left been more successful our world that can inform a deeper political Antony Loewenstein: Why do open up debate, to give voice for arguments in articulating alternatives to the GFC? Does understanding in our own country. you think the Left still matters? from the Left and positions that generally the Occupy Movement represent an answer? don’t get much of a hearing. A largely unregulated market system remains Jeff Sparrow: Because Aus- JS: The general cynicism about so many in place across the West and Occupy offered tralian politics has reached JS: As an independent journalist, how do you institutions, from newspapers to politicians, a small window into a far more equitable sys- a dangerous impasse. The think the Left should react to the deep distrust often translates into a disengagement from tem. An issue like climate change will only be world situation is becoming of the mainstream media? politics of any kind. Voters disenchanted solved this way. Furthermore, if more people increasingly fraught, and yet with the major parties are just as likely to realised the realities of our foreign policy on the simplest of reforms now seem entirely off AL: Not just whinge about it but both better tune out from political discussions as they the nations suffering because of them, I like the table. Climate change provides an obvi- critique the failings of the corporate media are to explore alternatives. to believe the political elites would be forced ous example of the growing gulf between and support alternatives to it. Take the post to adjust accordingly. what needs to happen and what’s actually 9/11 period. Far too many mainstream jour- That’s why the Occupy phenomenon was so important, since it managed, even if only being offered but there are plenty more nalists haven’t just been physically embedded Jeff Sparrow is the editor ofOverland literary instances. with the American and Australian military in briefly, to capture the political imagination. journal. He is the author of a number of books In my chapter on Occupy, I quote the Amer- Iraq or Afghanistan, they’ve been embedded including Killing: Misadventures in Violence Crucially, the range of ideas given serious ican writer Barbara Ehrenreich: ‘Perhaps psychologically with patriotic fervour. ‘Our’ and the forthcoming Money Shot: A Journey consideration in Australian public life has the best kept political secret of our time,’ side doesn’t commit crimes, we’re told; it’s an into Porn and Censorship. become scarily narrow. What’s more, the aberration if soldiers massacre civilians. This she says, ‘is that politics, as a democratic pundits who touted for the disastrous wars is pure propaganda and not the impression undertaking, can be not only “fun”, in the Antony Loewenstein is an independent journal- in Afghanistan and Iraq have only become of civilians in a range of countries we’re entertaining sense, but profoundly uplifting, ist and author of two best-selling books, My more influential, just as the economists who occupying, including Afghanistan (I just even ecstatic.’ Israel Question and The Blogging Revolution. entirely failed to predict the GFC or the Eu- returned from there and heard it myself). He is currently working on a book and docu- ropean meltdown dominate the discussions. There was certainly something of that in the mentary about disaster capitalism. In Australia, there are few Leftists given Occupy protests. It’s the sentiment the Left The idea behind this book is an attempt to needs to recapture — an ecstatic sense of the Full interview at www.readings.com.au Readings Monthly June 2012 5

Book of the Month Left turn New Fictionterestingly about the emotional and physical POLITICAL ESSAYS Antony Loewenstein & Jeff Sparrow (eds) limits of human endurance and the extremi- FOR THE ties of health and sickness than about those MUP. PB. $32.99. Ebook $14.99 MAustraliany Hundred L ovFictioners I ran into Antony lycra-obsessed folk of a parallel universe. NEW LEFT Lowenstein at the Susan Johnson And despite all odds, the race scenes really Sydney Writers Festival A&U. PB. $27.99. Ebook $11.99 got my heart pumping! Johnson has written exten- and mentioned I was Cleave focuses on the characters and their sively about her own life and reviewing this collection entangled pasts, resulting in Zoe and Kate for that I have always been of essays for our having to resolve whether winning is more grateful; her writing makes Readings Monthly. ‘You important to them than their friendship. me feel not alone. In this have to remember Cleave’s skills lie not only in his ability to brilliantly conceived novel, a Mark, that it’s not a manifesto and it provide a rare insight into ordinary people’s woman on the eve of her doesn’t present a program; it’s a lives, but take you that step further and truly 50th birthday lists one collection of interesting ideas that don’t empathise with his characters. necessarily get aired or discussed.’ hundred moments of pure and unadulter- Lowenstein and his co-editor hope it ated happiness, or as Johnson puts it – lists I can assure you that Gold is definitely worth generates debate and Chris Graham’s of loves. This could be a corny novel, but no, the breath-taking ride! essay, ‘Violence, Non violence and in Johnson’s hands reality and poetry mix to Emily Harms is marketing manager of Read- Aboriginal Australia’ will be sure to be create a profound description of a woman’s ings attacked. Graham argues that Aborigi- life. There is the rawness and the vulnerabil- nals are daily subjected to violence and ity that comes with such an expose, but The Age of Miracles that violent reactions by Aboriginal there is also humour and humility. Karen Thompson Walker communities may not only be justified One Hundred Lovers: oh to be so lucky to S&S. PB. Normally $30 but politically necessary. He cites the have lived a life embracing each and every Our special price $24.95 famous Doomadgee case where it was moment of memory. A wonderful novel I’m not usually a fan of the only an organised attack by the that already I have passed on to my closest dystopian fiction genre and I community on the local police that girlfriend. It is that type of book. have to admit to being exposed the flawed inquiry into Chris Gordon is events coordinator at Readings sceptical about the hype OUT NOW Doomadgee’s death. surrounding the release of this novel. A publishing Featuring essays from a Green Senator Lee Rhiannon ponders The Daughter of Mars bidding war led to a diverse range of writers, the future direction of the Greens in Tom Keneally £500,000 deal in the UK and the face of declining Labor votes and Random. PB. Normally $32.95 thinkers and politicians, $1 million deal in the USA, pretty unusual how it copes with differences within Our special price $27.95 including Larissa Berendht, for a first-time author. But the simple the party and deals with the prospect In 1915 sisters Naomi and Christos Tsiolkas, concept behind the novel is just so intrigu- of, at times, supporting minority Sally Durance answer a call ing – what happens when the rotation of the Guy Rundle and Lee Rhiannon. governments whose agendas may differ for nurses to join the war earth begins to noticeably slow down. The from theirs. Also at issue is how a party effort. Soon they will face the days and nights start to lengthen and the that was born out of environmental inhumanity of war in its disastrous consequences for the natural battles can develop policies that are many terrible guises, in world and society as a whole slowly reveal more broadly-based and an ‘organic Egypt and then northern themselves. part of progressive movements’. Europe. Inspired by journals of Australian nursing sisters who gave their Guy Rundle takes on the mall and the At the centre of this novel is 11-year-old CONFESSIONS OF all to the Great War effort and the men they erosion of time and, indeed, the nature Julia. She lives with her mother and father nursed, The Daughters Of Mars is vast in of existence. The mall and its attendant in the suburbs of an unnamed town in Cali- AN UNREPENTANT scope yet extraordinarily intimate. emphasis on consumption dominate fornia and on an ordinary Saturday morning EXILE the landscape. The growth of the mall the family wake to the terrible news. The and it’s emphasis on branded consump- story is told from Julia’s point of view and it tion dominates many of our cultural is this ‘cusp of adolescence’ lens that makes experience through music, movies and International the narrative so believable and appealing. television. Even though the world around her is slowly deteriorating, Julia still has to go to school In one of the more interesting essays, Fiction and deal with the usual dramas this entails. Jeff Sparrow looks at the decline of Left Gold politics in the context of the Occupy Chris Cleave This is definitely a plot-driven book so don’t movements in societies where the Hodder. PB. Normally 32.95 expect too much from the prose, but I read market becomes the default setting for Our special price $27.95 it in one sitting and was left reflecting on the most organisational relationships. In I first came across Chris way human beings deal with the everyday the Occupy movement, Sparrow sees Cleave’s brave debut novel when faced with irreversible environmental some hope for the politics of the left Incendiary at a bookselling change. in that its utopian anarchic representa- conference in 2005. This Kara Nicholson is from Readings Carlton tion raises the question of what kind of novel-length letter from an world lies on the other side of neolib- enraged mother to Osama Canada eralism. bin Laden was written Richard Ford following an al-Qaeda bomb Bloomsbury. PB. Normally $30 Some of this is echoed by Christos attack on a London soccer match (reading Our special price $24.95. Ebook $24.99 Tsiolkas who questions the smugness almost like a premonition to the London Canada tells the story of Dell of the affluent left and their attitudes to bomb attacks of July 2005, which happened Parson, a 15-year-old boy Howard’s battlers who are suspicious of within 24 hours of the book being living in Great Falls Montana multiculturalism, migrants and refugees. launched). I found it completely gripping. in 1960 with his parents. Unless progressive politics can involve Gold is Cleave’s heart-wrenching new novel Father Bev was a bomber these communities, then they are not pilot in the war, and still OUT NOW progressive. centring on two friends and professional cyclists, Zoe Castle and Kate Meadows, works for the Air Force, The essays cover a broad range of which means the family has Acclaimed author and human who met when they were trialling for the rights activist Ariel Dorfman issues including the media, refugees, British Cycling Team and have been friends moved around America, never settling too economics, gender issues and industrial and rivals since they were 19. While Kate long in one place. This causes resentment delivers a memoir excavating, relations. It is to the editors’ great credit is renowned for more of a natural ability, from Dell’s twin sister Berner, who Dell for the first time, his profound that they have managed to pull together Zoe is the more driven of the two. Kate is looks up to. She is smart and sassy and has a and provocative journey through such a range of provocative commentary boyfriend, while Dell is more introverted, now married to a fellow professional cyclist, revolution and exile. that will stimulate and lead to further Jack Argall, and they have an eight-year-old likes chess and collecting bees. debate and discussion. For many people daughter, Sophie, who suffers from leukae- The twins’ mother Neeva comes from a the markets do not provide the answer mia. Zoe is troubled by her own demons and Jewish family who don’t take kindly to their to achieving just, humane and equitable has quite a reputation for sleeping around. daughter marrying a Southern Air Force societies: what political and economic When the International Olympic Commit- pilot and so the the twins do not see their structures might? Left Turn doesn’t tee changes its rules so that only one cyclist, grandparents. Dell, who narrates this story, provide the answers but it certainly either Zoe or Kate, will be eligible to com- wonders how a studious and intelligent raises some questions! pete in the 2012 London Games, Kate and woman wound up married to a man like his Mark Rubbo is managing director of Zoe’s friendship is really put to the test! father who is light-hearted and easy-going. Readings While it may sound like just another book Central to this family’s story are the events www.mup.com.au for cycling enthusiasts, the novel is more in- that lead to Dell’s father committing a bank 6 Readings Monthly June 2012 robbery and his wife’s willingness to be his Skios hood only a few years before. And now his accomplice. Ford takes us deep into the Michael Frayn petition for clemency is threatened by the mindset of Dell’s reaction to his parents’ big Faber. PB. $29.99 leaking of his private diary and his secret life secret which raises questions about how we On the Greek island of Skios, as a gay man. perceive our parents. the Fred Toppler Founda- Ford has written a novel about what happens tion’s annual lecture is to be Peaches for when we deal with our parents’ faults and given by Dr Norman Monsieur Le Cure the immediate impact of that upon our lives. Wilfred. He turns out to be Joanne Harris He portrays his characters in their rawest surprisingly young and Doubleday. PB. Normally $32.95 and most emotional state and raises ques- charming – not at all the Our special price $27.95 tions of responsibility for the choices we intimidating figure they had The sequel to the bestsller make and how we accept the consequences been expecting. Meanwhile, trapped in a Chocolat. When Vianne for them. A most exceptional novel. villa at the other end of the island is a Rocher receives a letter from Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from Readings balding old gent called Dr Norman Wilfred, beyond the grave, she returns Carlton who has lost his whereabouts, his luggage, to Lansquenet, the village in his temper and all normal sense of reality. which, eight years ago, she The Method opened up a chocolate shop. Seating Arrangements Juli Zeh Mrs Robinson’s But Vianne is completely Random. PB. $28.95 Disgrace unprepared for what she finds there. Women By Maggie ShipStead The Method is a dystopian Kate Summerscale veiled in black, the scent of spices and peppermint tea – and facing the church, a 9780007425228 novel set during the middle Bloomsbury. PB. Normally $30 minaret. RRP $29.99 of the 21st century that Our special price $24.95 knows all the rules of the On a winter’s evening in Winn Van Meter is heading for his genre and deliberately 1850, Mrs Isabella Robinson the Headmaster’s family’s island retreat. Normally a manipulates them to met, and was entranced by, wager haven of calm, for three days his wonderful effect. It’s a Edward Lane, a married man Vincent Lam sanctuary will be overrun with relatives conceptual story that ten years her junior. A HarperCollins. PB. $27.99 as he prepares for his daughter’s employs traditional techniques to bring to compelling story of romance Percival Chen is headmaster wedding. Maggie Shipstead is an life the author’s ideas about how we live and fidelity, and the bound- of the most respected English exciting new literary voice who lays today via an analogy from the future. aries of privacy in a society school in Saigon but when bare the pretensions of New england clinging to rigid ideas about marriage and his only son gets in trouble society with wit and sophistication. At the centre of the novel is Mia Holl, female sexuality, Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace with the Vietnamese a member of a society governed by The brings to life a complex, frustrated Victorian authorities, Chen faces the Method, a protocol that manages the good wife, longing for passion and learning, limits of his connections and health of all citizens whether they like it or companionship and love. wealth and is forced to send not. Everyone’s physical welfare is closely him away. Chen finds solace in Jacqueline monitored by means of obligatory and in- The Prisoner and Laing Jai, a son born to them on the eve vasive checkups and inspections. As Hein- of the Tet offensive. But his new-found rich Kramer, the architect of The Method, of Heaven Carlos Ruiz Zafon happiness is precarious, and as war encroach- explains early in the novel, in a monologue es he must confront all he has refused to see. that lays much of Zeh’s conceptual ground- Text. PB. Normally $29.95 work: ‘Our society has attained its apotheo- Our special price $26.95 Lionel Asbo sis. Unlike every previous or current form The Prisoner of Heaven of social organisation we’re not in thrall to returns to the world of the Martin Amis the market or religion. We’re not depen- Cemetery of Forgotten Jonathan Cape. PB. Normally $32.95 dant on high-flown ideological beliefs. The Books and the Sempere & Our special price $27.95 smug, self-serving faith in popular democ- Sons bookshop. Daniel and Lionel was served his first Jasmine and Fire racy has no place in our system. Our society Bea have married and now Anti-Social Behaviour Order is driven by reason and reason alone.’ have a son, Julian. One aged three. By the age of 22, By SalMa aBdelNour morning they are visited by a he is a hardened petty Mia’s brother, Moritz, has been convicted, mysterious figure, a visit that leads back to a criminal who has changed his 9780732295721 wrongly in her eyes, of a shocking crime. story of imprisonment, betrayal and the name to Asbo by deed poll. RRP $29.99 Working against a regime that has dimin- return of a deadly rival. While in prison he learns thirty years after Salma abdelnour ished the rights of the individual for seem- that he has won the National fled the bloody lebanese civil ingly benevolent reasons, Mia struggles and Railsea Lottery, just shy of a hundred million war, she returns to Beirut, a place suffers to fight back, for herself and for her China Miéville pounds. A savage and biting satire from one brother. where she hopes to never feel like Macmillan. PB. Normally $30 of Britain’s finest writers. a stranger. like the best lebanese Like many of the most successful contem- Our special price $24.95. Ebook $16.99 meal, this unforgettable love letter to a porary novelists, Zeh is a master of filmic On board the Medes, Sham Seating Arrangements fascinating city full of beauty, tragedy narration, describing a scene by bringing a yes ap Saroop witnesses his Maggie Shipstead and hope will leave you wanting more. handful of choice details into focus, using first moldywarpe hunt. He HarperCollins. PB. Normally $30 jump cuts to move backwards and forwards knows there is more to life Our special price $27.95 in time, and bringing to life ideas with than hunting moles – even if Winn Van Meter is about to long, powerful sections of sharp dialogue. I his captain can think of marry off his daughter wasn’t surprised to discover that the people nothing else but the ivory- Daphne. But Winn’s who made Run Lola Run are adapting one coloured mole she’s been unrequited yearning for of Zeh’s earlier novels to cinema. Read this chasing since it took her arm, years ago. Daphne’s bridesmaid, thoroughly satisfying book before the an- Agatha, comes to boiling nouncement that the film rights have been 2312 point, prompting him to ask sold – if it hasn’t happened already. Kim Stanley Robinson questions about his life: Did Will Heyward is from Readings St Kilda Orbit. PB. Normally $29.95 he marry the right woman? Did he make the Our special price $24.95 most of his youth? And most importantly, Dublinesque The year is 2312. Earth is no why is he still being refused entry to the Enrique Vila-Matas longer our only home; new Pequod Club? Random. PB. Normally $29.95 habitats have been created Pennies for Hitler Our special price $24.95 throughout the solar system, Samuel Riba, a successful on moons, planets and in By Jackie FreNch publisher in Barcelona, is between. But in 2312, a Journal 9780732292096 increasingly prone to anxiety sequence of events will force Meanjin Vol. 71, No.2 RRP $15.99 attacks – about the future of humanity to confront our Sally Heath (ed.) books, and about his failure past, present and future. MUP. PB. $24.99 the companion piece to the best- to discover a young writer of selling hitler’s daughter, this is a story Highlights include Neil Arm- ‘genius’. One night he has a The Dream of the Celt field remembering Patrick of war-torn europe during WWii, as vivid dream set in Dublin, in Mario Vargas Llosa seen through the eyes of a young White; a revealing conversa- which a funeral is being held for the printing Faber. PB. Normally $30 german boy georg, who loses his tion between Sonya Voumard press, at the same time as a homage to James Our special price $24.95 family and must forget his past and and Helen Garner; fiction by Joyce’s Ulysses. At the graveside hovers a In the summer of 1916, who he is in order to survive. georg Emily Ballou and Mardi mysterious figure. Who is this? James Joyce, Roger Casement awaits the discovers that while hatred can be O’Connor; memoir from his protégé Samuel Beckett, or the elusive hangman in London’s contagious, kindness can be too. Elmo Keep and Jessie Cole; great writer that Riba so longs to find? Pentonville Prison. For the writing from Kate Darian-Smith, Elliot past year he has attempted to Perlman, Martin Langford, Rebecca raise an Irish brigade to fight Harkins-Cross and John Kinsella; and new against the British Empire photography from Nicholas Walton-Healey. that awarded him a knight- Readings Monthly June 2012 7

Mission to Paris Alan Furst Orion. PB. Normally $33 with Fiona Hardy Our special price $29.95 New Crime Dead Write A spy novel following Istanbul Passage Kingdom of Strangers wartime celebrities where the Joseph Kanon Zoe Ferraris biggest star is the city itself, blacBookkw ofatt thele cr Montheek S&S. PB. $29.99 Little, Brown. PB. $29.99 Furst – a master of the spy After the second World War Heading to a country rarely genre – sends a Hollywood Geoffrey McGeachin changed the conveniently seen on our crime shelves, actor to 1938 Paris to film a Penguin. PB. $29.95 located Istanbul into a Kingdom of Strangers follows movie and into the path of Melbourne in 1957 is a place haven for spies, the city and Lead Inspector Ibrahim the Nazis who see him as the still ravaged by memories of its inhabitants have to Zahrani of the Saudi police perfect way to intimidate France. They WWII, and police officer adapt to a new way of life. force. Outwardly respect- underestimate the dashing Fredric Stahl, Charlie Berlin is a man who American Leon Bauer able but carrying out an however. Evocative in place and food and is having trouble letting go assisted during the war and affair, he is confronted with smoke-filled establishments, Furst reveals the of his time in Europe as a is now doing one last job—helping two crimes: the discovery of nineteen dead more underhanded and seductive side of the pilot and as a prisoner of Romanian Andrei to get into the west with women buried in the desert, and the Nazis and how France was manipulated in war. Given an unexpected some very dramatic aerial photographs. disappearance of his mistress – a crime he the lead up to war. holiday, he plans to build a darkroom for Personal issues of love and betrayal run in cannot share with anyone but forensic his wife Rebecca and relax as best he can. tandem to Leon’s suddenly deep involve- pathologist Katya. The horror of human Driven However, a request by Rebecca to chat to ment in espionage issues, and the vivid trafficking and the contemporary mixing James Sallis her recently bereaved friend turns his time atmosphere of 1940s Turkey will appeal to with the traditional in the city of Jeddah No Exit Press. PB. $15.99 off the clock into one of the most serious, all spy aficionados. leads to enthralling reading. After the gritty, poetic book grotesque and far-reaching crimes he has Drive and the subsequent ever encountered. Hour of the Wolf Grandad, There’s a excellent 2011 film adapta- Berlin is damaged but healing, supported Hakan Nesser Head on the Beach tion, a sequel continuing by his family and friends who may all Mantle. PB. $27.99 Colin Cotterill the story of our beloved shortly regret being of his acquaintance Since Nesser’s sixth book, Quercus. PB. $24.99. Ebook $19.99 Driver is soon for our while Charlie is on this particular quest. The Unlucky Lottery, Chief A head washed up on the shelves. He has moved on, The Cold War is the new terror on every- Inspector Van Veeteren has beach is hardly good news, both physically (becoming one’s mind, and what one accidental sight- now retired from the but it might be just this Paul West, business owner) and emotion- ing by a widow at a funeral home reveals Maardam police force, but once for crime reporter ally (with a new fiancée). This new life is is a horrifying notion that the government beloved literary detectives Jimm Juree, unhappily typically short-lived when he survives an keeps secrets even worse than who pashed never get a break. The relocated to the south of attack that his fiancée does not, and so, who at the ALP Christmas party. murder of someone Thailand with her family to with assistance from veteran pal Felix, he extremely dear to him ties into the goes on a grisly, fabulously noir spree of McGeachin has created the kind of pitch- help run a holiday camp. drunken hit-run death of a teenage boy running away, then, eventually, chasing. perfect sense of place that makes you disori- With a crime this squelchy, her journalism walking home after trying to get to second ented when you put down your book and career should be reinvigorated – but there base with his girlfriend, and the retiree is The Yard find yourself in a world of flatscreen televi- is not as much interest in such a gory unable to avoid getting involved with the Alex Grecian sions and rising petrol prices. Everything crime as she would expect. As entertaining case. Continuing to explore the emotional Penguin. PB. $29.95 from Charlie’s meals to the idea you could and fun as the title would have you depths of criminal and victim, Nesser is an get a parking space anywhere near the State believe, it’s also gripping and full of some After Scotland Yard is unable to absorbing writer. Library of Victoria creates a vivid Melbourne uncomfortable truths about the beautiful track down Jack the Ripper, with an undercurrent of mid-century fear country’s issues. The Murder Squad is formed and grime. A ripper of a dangerous read. – 12 detectives to solve all of Dark Angel London’s murders. The public Mari Jungstedt is not impressed, but no one Doubleday. PB. $27.95 expects one of the Squad to be Shockingly, this month there killed. Detective Walter Day are only two Scandinavian and forensic pathologist Dr Bernard Kingsley crime releases –I know, I was are chasing the killer in the 1800s, a century surprised too – but they are as when forensic evidence was a bit hard to come dramatic and entertaining as by, and the book is perfectly rendered. usual. A police procedural with riveting characters at its Blood Ties heart, Dark Angel is Inspector Claudio Antonelli Anders Knutas’ sixth journey into print as he & Gianluigi Nuzzi works to find the killer of party planner Macmillan. PB. $32.99. Ebook $16.99 Viktor Algard with a cyanide-spiked cocktail. Blood Ties heads to northern Pursuing a connection to the death are two Italy’s very own unfortunate journalists investigating underage drinking criminal organisation – the and its ramifications, but their quest will ’ndrangheta. Ex-military- come at a price. (More than the $27.95 policeman Antonelli and you’ll pay to read about it.) journalist Nuzzi have an inside connection with member-turned-informant Readings new shop at the Melbourne Pippo di Bella, who together deliver a nightmarish true story of violence and Brain Centre is now open corruption.

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Readings at the Brain Centre JUNE 20-22, 2012 / 6 – 10pm (with intervals and drinks) Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, fEAtUrINg: Genetics Lane, off Royal Parade, Parkville, 3010. Born in a Taxi, Deanne Butterworth, Alice Cummins, Nat Cursio, Russell Dumas, Janice Florence, Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Luke Hockley, Christos Linou, Jo Lloyd, Shaun McLeod, Tracie Mitchell, Sandra Parker, Michaela Pegum, Ph. 9347 1749. For more information Dianne Reid, Phoebe Robinson, Paul Romano, Hellen Sky, Sally Smith, Peter Trotman, Tony Yap email [email protected] dancehouse.com.au or visit us at readings.com.au 8 Readings Monthly June 2012 New Non-Fiction Australian Biography

TNonhe king Fictiondom B&arac Memoirk obama and the quarry David Maraniss David Uren Atlantic. PB. Normally $32.95 Black Inc. PB. $29.95 Our special price $27.95 China has rapidly become Maraniss reveals the real A year after Jack the Ripper claimed his last victim, The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has already Australia’s most important story of Obama’s beginnings: Victorian London is in the grip of a wave of crime and inspired thousands of Australians to lose weight murder. The newly formed Murder Squad of Scotland and improve their overall health. This new trading partner. Uren takes child of a black man from Yard battles in vain against the tide of violence and collection of recipes based on the scientifically us inside the high-stakes Luoland and a white woman cruelty. Will they find the murderer before it’s too late? proven program offers 120 new ideas for making world of the two countries’ born in Texas. Maraniss Or are the police once again helpless to stop mouth-watering meals in no time at all. a serial killer whose brutality knows no limits? relationship. From resource explores his extraordinary grabs to cybersurveillance, journey from a mixed race this is an authoritative and boy raised by white grand- news-breaking book that investigates key parents in laid-back Hawaii to an African political and business events of recent times American with a burning political vision and and tells us what really happened. vocation. He also reveals here previously unpublished love letters written by Obama Neither Power as a young man in a search of an identity nor Glory and includes the journal entries of Obama’s Paul Strangio first significant (white) girlfriend, the Australian Genevieve Cook. MUP. PB. $39.99. Ebook $19.99 Until now, there has been no authoritative chronicle of the And Then Life Happens struggles of political Labor in Auma Obama Victoria, from its origins in A&U. PB. $29.99. Ebook $16.99 the mid-nineteenth century While her younger brother through to the calamitous Barack grew up in the US There once was a forest . . . So begins this timeless An adventure-filled picture book for younger readers and Indonesia, Auma grew and touching story of renewal from one of Australia’s based on bestselling and much-loved author Alison split of the 1950s. Meticu- most talented new picture-book creators. Simply Lester’s real experiences aboard an Antarctic lously researched and up in a remote village in but beautifully rendered, A Forest is set apart by the expedition ship. Her alter ego, Sophie Scott, goes elegantly written, Neither Power Nor Glory Kenya, the birthplace of the clarity of its message and its sentiments of optimism on the same adventure in a friendly, informative and fills an important gap in Australian political siblings’ shared father. A and renewal in the face of great challenges. beautifully presented book that sees the wonder of moving account about life in Antarctica through a child’s eyes. history and our understanding of the Labor Party. It is also a timely antidote to nostalgia two cultures, and Auma’s about Labor’s past. relationship with Barack. penguin.com.au The New Graded Word-Book for Australian Schools Philosophy W. Foster & H. Bryant In Praise of Love Scribe. PB. $19.95 Alain Badiou & Nicolas Truong Enter to Many decades ago, spelling Serpents Tail. HB. $22.99 and grammar exercises were Presumably named in administered to students as hommage to the 2001 young as eleven and twelve. Jean-Luc Godard film of the The New Graded Word-Book same name, In Praise of Love WIN 30 for Australian Schools covers a is a revised transcript of a range of topics from preposi- public conversation held tions to participles, as well as between Nicolas Truong and VINTAGE reproducing spelling lists from state depart- Alain Badiou, one of the * ments of education, and extracts of examina- world’s greatest living philosophers, at the tion papers from UK universities and 2008 Avignon Festival. Retaining the civil-service tests. spontaneous flavour of such an exchange, ClassiCs the theses of this striking popular book can All of It be immediately absorbed even by the idle Bev Aisbett reader. ‘I’m sorry to say this,’ a friend of HarperCollins. PB. $29.95 mine remarked while flipping through my Pick up an Aisbett’s no-nonsense text, proof copy, ‘but this sounds a little like the entry form combined with her insightful sort of thing your grandmother would say.’ instore cartoon images, have To some extent, my friend is right: the afore- reassured countless people mentioned stereotypical granny and Badiou seeking help for anxiety. All both share the conviction that internet of It is an unflinching dating sites are sad, that love today is under self-examination, an explora- threat, that true love should be forever, that tion of Aisbett’s life journey fidelity in love must outweigh the constant through and beyond crippling anxiety and temptations to betray, neutralise or ignore depression. it. On the other hand, I bet you’ll find still oNl some stuff in here that nobody else says, $12.95 Quarterly Essay 46: particularly regarding the non-relationship Y * Limited time only. Great expectations between love and politics, the experience Laura Tingle of seduction in theatre, and the relation of Black Inc. PB. $19.95. Ebook $9.95 chance to eternity. For Badiou, love is not Rather than relaxed and a natural state or disposition, but a unique comfortable, Australians are form of thought. As a form of thought, it disenchanted with politics has to go beyond being a risk-management and politicians. Tingle shows exercise, on the one hand, or a naturalistic that the answer goes to species-specific adaptation, on the other. something deep in Australian As Badiou declares, everybody knows how culture: our great expecta- dangerous love is; to fall into love is liter- Now available at ReadiNgs tions of government. Since ally to risk giving oneself over to violence, Carlton | Hawthorn | Malvern | St Kilda | State Library of Victoria the deregulation era of the 1980s, govern- suffering and terror. Yet, without it, life Browse and buy online on www.readings.com.au ments can do less, but we wish they could itself is diminished. Aside from some minor do more. Now that the Age of Entitlement is infelicities (e.g. ‘Two scene’ doesn’t quite There’s so much more at coming to an end, what will a different work for ‘scène du Deux’) and a few typos, randomhouse.com.au/vintageclassics politics look like? the translation is highly readable, something Readings Monthly June 2012 9 that both you and your grandmother could Facing the Torturer The Aleppo Codex read for enjoyment, edification, and, even, Francois Bizot Matti Friedman adventure. HarperCollins. PB. $29.99. Ebook $14.99 Scribe. PB. $27.95. Ebook $18.99 byArt Margaret & Snowdon, Design Readings Carlton Justin Clemens teaches at the University In 1971, Bizot was captured Based on documents kept of Melbourne by the Khmer Rouge and secret for 50 years, as well as Raw + Material = Art imprisoned for three interviews with key figures, Tristan Manco The School months in the Cambodian Friedman proposes a new Thames & Hudson. PB. $49.95 of Life series jungle, accused of being a theory of what happened to Tristan Manco reveals how Macmillan. PB. $19.99 each CIA spy. His captor, the 10th-century annotated artists of all kinds are bringing Titles in this series from the London-based Comrade Duch, eventually bible known as the Aleppo creativity to basic, often School Of Life include How to Think More eventually had him freed. It Codex when it left Syria in unglamorous materials – from about Sex (Alain de Botton), How to Worry took Bizot decades to realise he owed his the late 1940s and later surfaced in Jerusa- broken bottles, old flip-flops Less about Money (John Armstrong), How to life to a man who later became one of Pol lem, mysteriously incomplete. and skateboards to sustainable Stay Sane (Philippa Perry), How to Change Pot’s most infamous henchmen. An resources such as wood, straw the World (John-Paul Flintoff), How to Find important book about our personal Breasts and paper. Through hundreds Fulfilling Work (Roman Krznaric) and How to responsibility in collective crimes. Florence Williams of illustrations, in-depth artist profiles and Thrive in the Digital World (Tom Chatfield). Text. PB. $34.95 detailed discussions of various materials, he Feeding on Dreams This is the story of how our showcases the work of more than 30 innovative Ariel Dorfman breasts went from being and inspiring artists from all over the world. MUP. PB. $27.99. Ebook $14.99 honed by the environment to In September 1973, the being harmed by it; a Banksy: TCulturalhis Is How Studies military took power in revealing and at times You Are An Augusten Burroughs Chile, and Dorfman, allied alarming look at the way the Acceptable Level Picador. PB. $28. Ebook $14.99 to deposed president changes in our environments, of Threat Salvador Allende, was diets and lifestyles have After six autobiographies, Gingko. HB. $52.50 forced to flee for his life. altered our breasts, and our health. Augusten Burroughs has While many other books ask This is the story of the written a self-help book. dry questions such as ‘Just transformative decades of Psychology, for better or who is Banksy and what exile that followed and a passionate worse, was a fundamental part makes him tick?’, this book is reminder that ‘we are all exiles’, that we of his upbringing, so perhaps more interested in his prolific are all ‘threatened with annihilation if we History it is no surprise that This Is Notes on a Century work on the streets, which do not find and celebrate the refuge of How came to be written. Bernard Lewis & Chu Ellis for the most part has been common humanity’, as Dorfman did Chapter headings include typical self-help Orion. HB. Normally $50 lost to future generations during his ‘decades of loss and resurrec- subjects like ‘How to find love’, ‘How to get Our special price $44.95 through greed or the dreaded buff. This tion’. the job’ and ‘How to be confident’. The memoirs of the greatest book concentrates on his iconic imagery But in true Burroughs fashion he has set out Living, Thinking, living historian of the Middle spanning the past decade, from Los Angeles to write a self-help book with a difference East, these are vivid and to Lewisham, including many images never Looking insightful episodic reflections before seen. Two other new books on the so you’ll also find ‘How to be fat’, ‘How to Siri Hustvedt remain unhealed’ and ‘How to end your life’. on his life, from his child- elusive figure are Seven Years with Banksy Hodder. PB. $24.99 Burroughs doesn’t think much of a lot of hood as a confident, clever by Robert Clarke (ob, $29.95) and Banksy; pop-psychology and writes that ‘affirmations A dazzling collection of little boy to his life in The Man Behind the Wall by Will Ellsworth- are dishonest. They are a form of self-be- essays by the bestselling academia and the Secret Jones (Aurum, PB, $24.99) What I Loved trayal based on bogus, side-of-the-cereal-box author of . Service, to his energetic old age in the psychology’. Instead he believes the key to Divided into three sections present day. more: overcoming life’s many challenges is by telling – Living, which draws on The Architecture the ugly truth. Hustvedt’s own life; the Second World War of Lyons 1996–2011 Thinking, on memory, emo- Antony Beevor Thames & Hudson. HB. $120 The more successful and original chapters tion and the imagination; Orion. HB. Normally $50 Lyons, one of Australia’s most significant in this book involve episodes from his own and Looking, on art and artists – the Our special price $39.95 architectural practices, has produced a life and his skill as an autobiographical essays range across the humanities and Using up-to-date scholarship striking body of work over the last 15 years, writer come to the fore. Burroughs’ honesty science as Hustvedt explores how we see, and research, Beevor including: The Melbourne Brain Centre and brutal dark humour when applied to remember, feel and interact with others, assembles a gripping (Melbourne University), the Lyon House- reflections on his battle with alcoholism or what it means to sleep, dream and speak, narrative that extends from museum, and the new QLD Children’s attempts to quit smoking are appealing. and what we mean by ‘self’. the North Atlantic to the Hospital. With essays by Leon van Schaik, Unfortunately if self-help books aren’t for South Pacific, from the Juliana Engberg, John Macarthur and Paul you, this book won’t necessarily warm you to The Big Handout snowbound steppe to the Carter. the genre. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Thomas Kostigen North African Desert, to the Burroughs explains that he’s ‘kind of saying Scribe. PB. $29.95. Ebook $14.99 Burmese jungle, SS Einsatzgruppen in the Kimberley Rock Art the same thing over and over and over again. I Kostigen explores US borderlands, Gulag prisoners drafted into Vol 1: Mitchell have to hit that nail with different sized ham- government policies and punishment battalions and to the unspeak- shows how bad fiscal, able cruelties of the Sino-Japanese War. Plateau Area mers and different shaped hammers so that I Mike Donaldson get something that’s going to ring true’. There environmental, agricultural, Wildrocks Publications. HB. $175 is a fair amount of repetition in this book and water, energy, health and Watergate Vol 1 (of 3) showcases the art perhaps it is not intended to be read from foreign policies hurts Lamar Waldron of spectacular Wunambal beginning to end. If you’re a Burroughs fan, Americans and people Scribe. PB. $45 Gaambera Country, which you’ll read it anyway and if you’re not a fan worldwide. While Richard Nixon’s has some of the world’s most then this probably isn’t the kind of book you culpability for Watergate has spectacular and ancient rock would have read in the first place. long been established, art. It contains almost 600 Kara Nicholson is from Readings Carlton conventional accounts of the images that have all been scandal still don’t address approved by the traditional Nixon’s motive. Waldron has owners and are mostly previously unpub- undertaken groundbreaking lished. Photographs of the landscape provide research that adds crucial context for the art images. This is a land- missing pieces to the story – information not mark publication that brings a rich legacy of available to the Senate Watergate Commit- rarely seen art to a wide audience for the first tee, or to Woodward and Bernstein. time. BOB Modern Architecture Game PScienceieces of Mind Next Architecture. $63.50 Michael Corballis The new trivia board game AnKATTER Incredible Race of People for true lovers of architecture Scribe. PB. $19.95. Ebook $12.99 – test your knowledge of the A Passionate History of Australia Corballis introduces us to greatest architects, their what we’ve learned about the famous buildings and their intricacies of the human legendary quotes by answer- brain over the last 50 years, ing general questions about IN STORE NOW leading us through behav- architecture and popular ioural experiments and culture. With almost a thousand questions neuroscience, cognitive on architecture and 200 images in the theory, and Darwinian following categories: Visual, Architect, Style, evolution with his trademark wit and Project, Influence and Quote. wisdom. 10 Readings Monthly June 2012

‘A woman refl ects on her life as an erotic adventurer, and through these vivid stories of the fl esh, a mind and soul emerge in full’ New Y.A. Fictionis one of the few places Mia feels safe from her Geraldine Brooks Disharmony: The Telling book One addiction. But when an earthquake devastates Leah Giarratano the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. Two warring Penguin. PB. $19.95 cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key Disharmony: The Telling is the to their opposing doomsday prophecies. When first young adult novel by the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk adult crime writer Leah unleashing the full horror of her strength to Giarratano. And, like her save the people she loves, or lose everything. crime novels, it has a dark tone throughout and there is a deep mystery that surrounds the Of Poseidon identity of three siblings who Anna Banks would help fulfill the prophecy of the Telling Egmont. PB $22.95 and have the ability to either create peace and Galen is strong, protective and harmony in the world or create an imbalance gorgeous, with striking violet that would produce war and destruction. The eyes and a body to make you outcome for the world depends on how the shiver – and that’s just when siblings are trained and influenced in directing he’s in human form. He’s from their powers for either good or evil. the House of Triton and he’s searching for a girl with the From the first page, the reader is immeditely- gift of Poseidon to save his made aware of the Telling and how the siblings brother from marrying a fraud. Emma is a came to be separated across the globe and what human. Or so she thinks. Can Galen convince special gift each sibling possesses. Not one is her that she holds the key to his kingdom – the same. There is the sibling who cannot feel without letting on that he’s falling for her? nor understand the emotions of others. There is the sibling who is emotional and can foresee Tamlyn the future of others and then there is the sib- James Moloney ling who is extremely intelligent. Three siblings HarperCollins. PB. $19.95. Ebook $10.99 – a psychopath, an empath and a genius – and The much-anticipated sequel the fate of the world is in their hands. from the bestselling author of A woman, on the eve of her fi ftieth birthday, refl ects on one hundred This novel has all these complicated elements Silvermay. When Silvermay moments from a lifetime’s sensual adventures. By turns humorous, sharp, embedded into its plot and each chapter fo- first set eyes on Tamlyn, she haunting and wise, this is an original and exhilarating novel from one of cuses on a different character. At times, I found knew there would be no other for her. It didn’t matter Australia’s premier writers that captures the sheer wonder of life, I lost my way with the story, as the novel is slow to begin with, but persist because it really that he was one of the desire and love. does take off and sets up an ending that will Wyrdborn, a race of wizards leave you waiting for the sequel! who care only for themselves. It is half a year Daniela Perinac is from Readings later and Silvermay has followed Tamlyn through many dangers. Now she must help Changeling: Order of him defeat the darkness of his own soul, Darkness Book One because Tamlyn wants revenge for a great Philippa Gregory wrong and the evil he has so far controlled may prove too strong. S&S. PB. $19.99 The year is 1453, and all signs point to it being the end of the Pennies for Hitler world. Accused of heresy and Jackie French expelled from his monastery, Harper. PB. $15.99. Ebook $8.99 handsome 17-year-old Luca It’s 1939, and for Georg, son New ebooks Vero is recruited by a mysteri- of an English academic living ous stranger to record the end in Germany, life is full of of times across Europe and cream cakes and loving sent to map the fears of Christendom. parents. It is also a time Seventeen-year-old Isolde, a Lady Abbess, is when his teacher measures trapped in a nunnery to prevent her claiming the pupils’ heads to see which her inheritance. As the nuns in her care are of them have the most driven mad by strange visions, walking in their ‘Aryan’- shaped heads. But when a university sleep, and showing bleeding wounds, Luca is graduation ceremony turns into a pro-Nazi sent to investigate and all the evidence points demonstration, Georg is smuggled out of to Isolde’s guilt. Luca and Isolde must embark Germany to war-torn London and then on a search for truth, their own destinies, and across enemy seas to Australia where he must even love. forget his past and who he is in order to Quarterly Essay 46 My Hundred Lovers This is How survive. Hatred is contagious, but Georg Laura Tingle Susan Johnson Augusten Burroughs Slated finds that kindness can be, too. The com- Paperback $19.95 Paperback $27.99 Paperback $28.00 Teri Terry panion piece to Hitler’s Daughter, Pennies ebook $9.95 ebook $11.99 ebook $14.99 for Hitler examines the life of a child during Orchard. PB. $16.99 WWII, from a different perspective. Kyla’s memory has been erased, her personality wiped blank, her memories lost for The Death Cure: ever. She’s been Slated. The Maze Runner government claims she was a Book Three terrorist, and that they are James Dashner giving her a second chance – as Chicken House. PB. $16.99 long as she plays by their rules. Thomas knows that Wicked But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. can’t be trusted. But they say Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it the time for lies is over, that seems. Who can she trust in her search for the they’ve collected all they can truth? from the Trials and now must Left Turn Railsea The Expo Files rely on the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the Loewenstein, Sparrow China Miéville Stieg Larsson Struck cure to the Flare with a final Paperback $32.99 Paperback $24.95 Paperback $29.99 Jennifer Bosworth voluntary test. What Wicked doesn’t know is ebook $14.99 ebook $16.99 ebook $16.99 Random. PB. $24.95 Mia Price is a lightning addict. that something’s happened that no Trial or She’s survived countless strikes, Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has Now available at readings.com.auBrand identity usage but her craving to connect to remembered far more than they think. And he the energy in storms endangers knows that he can’t believe a word of what her life and the lives of those Wicked says. around her. Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes,

Inventive Labs: Bookish Brand Identity Readings Monthly June 2012 11

town? He might crash in his Dad’s home- onion! Why an onion? My take is that each made plane, or catch the disease that makes layer of the onion is like part of our con- you dance yourself to death, or fall foul of sciousness or personality and as we examine the motorcycle gang that wants to burn the and appreciate each layer, we finally get to town to the ground. Old people seem to be the core or heart of the onion/person and New Kids’ Bookseverywhere with him. Lost in the night with- Book of the month dying faster than Miss Walker can write their understand the whole better. Fanelli starts Sophie Scott out ‘Ball’, he is scared. Owl takes him under obituaries, and Jack is starting to worry that with ‘think about what you know, not just Goes South his wing and as they search together they meet it might not just be the rats that are eating what you’ve been taught’. other creatures who all join in and voila, the the rat poison … Alison Lester search becomes a counting book. Zebedee has It’s an eccentric activity book that will chal- Penguin. HB. Normally $29.95 lots of new friends and isn’t scared of the dark Famous Five 70th lenge, fascinate and enthuse creative minds. Our special price $24.95 anymore. For two and up. AD You even get to free a kooky, delightful What an adventure! Antarc- Anniversary Editions onion, if you dare! For nine and up. AD tica is almost like another a Forest Enid Blyton world and Sophie Scott is Martin Marc Hodder. PB. $15.99 each Make with Maisy going there. Her dad is To celebrate the 70th Lucy Cousins Penguin. HB. $24.95 anniversary of the publica- captain of Aurora Australis, Walker. HB. $24.95 There once was a forest… tion of the Famous Five an icebreaker (a type of ship) Maisy, the colourful, So begins this timeless and series, five of this century’s that travels from Hobart to toddler-friendly mouse, touching story of renewal iconic illustrators – Quentin Antarctica to deliver people wants us to get creative in from one of Australia’s most Blake, Helen Oxenbury, and supplies. A lot of scientific research is her latest book. Make with talented new picture-book Emma Chichester Clark, done there, so along with scientists there are Maisy is filled with colourful creators. A Forest is an il- Oliver Jeffers and Chris other people (such as cooks, electricians and craft projects for young lustrated storybook, musing Riddell – have designed new jackets for the doctors) there to assist in habitation. Lucky children to make with their on the tension and beauty of first five of the series. nine-year-old Sophie is going there for the the man-made and organic, and the ways in parents. These simple but first time; ‘she’s a little bit scared but very which they clash and coalesce. practical ideas make crafting easy and excited!’ Enchantress produce toys that kids can engage in On the trip over Sophie names the icebergs Alex and the Michael Scott imaginative play with. My three year-old and according to their shapes and some are as tall Doubleday. PB. $24.95 I spent an enjoyable rainy day crafting and Watermelon Boat The sixth and final book in as 15-storey buildings. But there are plenty Chris McKimmie playing with things we’d made from the more strange and fascinating things such as: the enormously successful book. There aren’t many books that give A&U.HB. $29.99 •The sun doesn’t set until 10:30pm Secrets of the Immortal such simple ideas for crafting with toddlers A brilliant picture book by •Only one tenth of an iceberg is above the Nicholas Flamel series. In and pre-schoolers, so this is a welcome McKimmie, who lives in water surface San Francisco, Nicholas and resource for active play with two- to Brisbane and wrote this story •There are more than twenty thousand pen- Perenelle Flamel have one five-year-olds and their parents. AC out of his experiences during guins there. day left to live, and one job the floods of January 2011. left to do: defend San It is so cold that Sophie has to wear so many The river had burst its banks. My Book of Jokes Francisco from the monsters that are Bronwen Davies clothes that she feels like a Teletubby and feels The dam was overflowing. heading toward the city. But even with the Scholastic. PB. $9.99 as though she is entering an icy kingdom. ‘Don’t go outside, Alex!’ help of two of the greatest warriors from What time is it when an Alison Lester has used different mediums to Mum shouted. But just then Rabbit hopped history and myth, will the Sorceress and the elephant sits on a fence? Time illustrate the book, which enriches the jour- out the open window ... legendary Alchemyst be able to defend the to get a new fence! A perfect ney, and the story will appeal to girls as well city? Meanwhile, Sophie and Josh Newman first book of jokes for all as boys, even if, oh horror, the main character Sketches from a travelled 10,000 years into the past to Danu young comedians! is a girl! Nameless Land Talis when they followed Dr John Dee and While lots of kids travel to the places in Les- Shaun Tan Virginia Dare. And it’s on this legendary ter’s excellent Are We There Yet? not many will Hachette. HB. $29.99 island that the battle for the world begins get to go to Antarctica, so here is their chance. In Sketches from a Nameless and ends. What a treat it is, too. The endpapers are Land, Shaun Tan explains the informative, the journey is fascinating and as Non-fiction & novelty Going For Gold origins of his ideas, using Loretta Barnard with all Lester’s books, it is amiable, adventur- examples from early research Small and Tall Tales Random. PB. $14.95 ous (but not scary) and celebrates life. Picture and concept sketches books don’t get much better than this. For of Extinct Animals Australia is one of the world’s through to finished artwork. Helena Rajcak & Damien seven and up. He sheds light on the silent most successful sporting Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn language of images, the spirit Laverdunt nations. Our talented athletes of the migrant experience and the artist’s Gecko. HB. $27.99 compete in a range of Picture Books creative journey. Fact and fiction blend international events from Banjo Bounces Back harmoniously in this stylish, world championships to the junior & middle colourful hardcover on Olympic Games. Going for Lachie Hume extinct animals. Produced Gold is packed with fascinating Omnibus. HB.$24.99 readers with scientific advice from facts and trivia on our celebrated sporting What a daft, loveable horsey Rainbow Street Pets the French National Museum history. Take a look at favourite Olympic stars story! Banjo is a hoofball star, Wendy Orr of Natural History, the book such as Cathy Freeman, Dawn Fraser and the playing every Saturday with A&U. PB. $19.99. Ebook $16.99 profiles 26 extinct animals Oarsome Foursome, plus some upcoming his team, the Whinnies. That Any child who loves animals and one on the brink, beginning 17,000 sporting champions. is until he sustains a sports or who has longed for a pet years ago. Divided into four geographical injury and is off for six weeks. will enjoy and probably read areas – the Americas, Africa, Eurasia and Bored and restless, he is soon and reread this collection of Oceania – the animals have only one thing Vale Maurice Sendak rather unfit and eating far too six related stories about the in common: they have all had contact with much molasses. So when he rejoins his team animals who come through humans. While the map, timeline of and is too out of condition to play well he the Rainbow Street Refuge extinction and size chart comparing each quickly gives up, and goes back to sitting and their human families. animal to humans are all fascinating, playing haystation and snacking. It is only From the first story, in which Lachlan is younger readers will surely love the cartoon when his team-mate and best friend, Bella, is devasted to lose his dog on the day they move on each spread that takes you for a more horspitalised that Banjo comes to his senses from their farm to the city, and a girl called imaginative ride into history. The stunning and together they prove that motivation and Hannah is overjoyed to find a dog in her retro design, combined with both informa- exercise conquers all. So satisfying, so sporty surprised father’s ute, every story is a winner, tive and amusing text, makes this a highly and the horses pay endearing filial tribute to full of human drama and animal warmth. covetable object for eight-year-olds to adults. Noni the Pony Alison Lester’s ! Wendy Orr writes about caring for animals Angela Crocombe is from Readings St Kilda Kathy Kozlowski is from Readings Carlton When Maurice Sendak died on 8 May this with knowledge and empathy, including the year, children the world over lost one of their feeding and the mucking out, the exercising The Onion’s Great Zebedee’s Balloon great allies. His influence on the world of or resting, so the feel-good stories are both Escape children’s literature was profound and the Alice Briere-Haquet heartwarming and down to earth. For newly Sara Fanelli power of his vision came from a belief in the & Olivier Philipponneau (illus.) confident readers For eight and up. KK Phaidon. HB. $29.95 authenticity and intensity of the child’s view Auzou. HB. $14.99 Highly regarded worldwide, of the world. Indeed, in his best-known Oo la la, I love this picture Dead End in Norvelt Sara Fanelli’s distinctive picture book Where the Wild Things Are, he book that began life in France Jack Gantos artistic style is known for honoured both the wild thing and need to and now, with this English Random. PB. $12.95 being exciting and stimulat- be loved in all of us. To quote from Alec translation, we also get to Winner of the 2012 New- ing, and this is precisely what Baldwin in the Huffington Post: enjoy. The charming two-tone bery medal. After being we get with her new book. ‘Rest in Peace, Maurice Sendak. He gave wood engravings on lovely ‘grounded for life’, Jack is I’m sure it will be interpreted children not books, but literature, like Lewis thick art paper make this book facing a summer of doing many ways and of course this Carroll and Twain. Not pictures, but art, like a joy to handle and you know nothing. But who’s got time is what Fanelli wants, as it is basically John Tenniel and N C Wyeth.Sendak. Nor- what? Zebedee’s a cute little guy as well. to die of boredom when philosophy for kids (though it will appeal to mal and strange. Tender and cynical. Wild However, he has a problem. He has lost his there are so many more any age) with a twist … you have to save the and wise. All at once. Like, well ... art.’ balloon, which was his best friend and went interesting ways to die in this 12 Readings Monthly June 2012

ReadingsBargains on the web: New books are Bargai regularly added to our website.n Table Click on the Bargains tab at www.readings.com.au.

Stencil Graffiti The Secret Life of A Table in the Tarn Catherine of Aragon Capital: Melbourne the Grown-Up Brain Orlando Murrin Giles Tremlett J. Smallman and C. Nyman Barbara Strauch HB. Was $46. Now $15.95 HB. Was $45. Now $14 PB. Was $29.95. Now $12.95 HB. Was $22.95. Now $12 Murrin gave up his life in The youngest child of the Stencil Graffiti Capital: Your mind is getting older, London to open a gourmet legendary monarchs Ferdi- Melbourne stands as a but it’s also getting (mostly) B&B in southwestern nand and Isabella of Spain, contemporary classic of the better, argues this very France. This is his account of Catherine of Aragon was genre. During the first few comforting treatise on the how he transformed the betrothed in infancy to years of this century, ageing brain. Even as the simple 19th-century Manoir Arthur, Prince of Wales, Melbourne was the global brain slows down, it more de Raynaudes into a celebrat- eldest son of Henry VII of epicentre of stencil graffiti, than compensates with ed gastronomic destination. England, an alliance that with artists like MEEK, experience and know-how, It includes more than 80 recipes that have greatly benefited both sides. Yet Arthur died SIXTEN and MEGGS cutting amazing improved verbal and spatial skills, brilliant brought the Manoir acclaim, along with weeks after their marriage in 1501, and stencils and getting them up all over the city. intuitions, and sustained wisdom. tales of the gorgeous Tarn Valley. Catherine found herself remarried to his younger brother, soon to become Henry Poems of Life Heidegger and a Hippo The Secret of VIII. and Death Walk Through Those Chanel No. 5 Jas Duke Pearly Gates Tilar Mazzeo The Greatest Show PB. Was $39.95. Now $15 Thomas Cathcart HB. Was $36.95. Now $12 on Earth An exciting portrait of & Daniel Klein The unauthorised biography Richard Dawkins Australia’s Dadaist Anarchist HB. Was $27.95. Now $14.95 of Chanel No.5. With its HB. Was $35. Now $15.95 Performance Poet, this book Did you know that Hei- rich golden hue, art deco- Richard Dawkins, world- charts his life achievements degger’s notion of living in inspired bottle, and timeless renowned evolutionary biolo- through various artistic the shadow of death has its scent, it is the world’s gist and famous atheist, takes works, including poems and most profound articulation bestselling perfume.Yet how on the Creationists with a plays. Includes a CD of his in a country and western did this pioneering celebrity brilliant and uncompromis- ‘sound poems’ and other song by Tim McGraw? A fragrance, introduced in the ing look at the incontrovert- ‘experimental’ achievements. smart and lighthearted early 1920s, take on a life of its own? ible evidence for Darwin’s consideration of the philo- theory of evolution. Eating Animals sophical dimensions of death. Gourmet Today Safran Foer Ruth Reichl Lonesome Traveller HB. Was $36.95. Now $16.95 The March of Patriots HB. Was $56. Now $19.95 Jack Kerouac Brilliantly synthesising Paul Kelly In no other period has the PB. Was $24.95. Now $10 philosophy, literature, HB. Was $59.99. Now $15 food scene changed so As he roams the US, Mexico, science, memoir and his own A fine history by one rapidly. Exciting new ingredi- Morocco, Paris and London, detective work, Foer explores Australia’s best political ents are available everywhere, Jack Kerouac breathlessly the many fictions we use to journalists about two expanding our culinary records, in prose of pure justify our eating habits – leaders—Keating and horizons. Each of the over poetry, the life of the road. from folklore to pop culture Howard—divided by 1000 recipes was selected A collection of short stories to family traditions and temperament, cultural from Gourmet magazine by and sketches that includes national myth – and how such tales can lull outlook and perceptions of editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl, who wrote the some of Kerouac’s best us into a brutal forgetting. national identity, yet united introductions to each chapter. writing in his spontaneous prose style. in much of their economic and social policy. The Playful Brain How to Cook Every- The Reader Richard Restak & Kim Scott The Vertical Farm thing Vegetarian Bernhard Schlink HB. Was $37.95. Now $16 Dickson Despommier Mark Bittman PB. Was $21.95. Now $10 Dr Richard Restak, a HB. Was $36.95. Now $15.95 HB. Was $49. Now $19.95 For 15-year-old Michael respected neuroscientist, ‘We invented agriculture at Bittman is an avowed meat Berg, a chance meeting with discovered new research that least six different times across eater and that ensures one of an older woman leads to far proved puzzles could actually the entire globe,’ writes this massive compendiums more than he ever imagined. help the brain improve itself. Despommier in a volume many attractions: a wealth of The woman in question is Restak teams up with noted designed to build the case for recipes that don’t scream Hanna, and before long they puzzle designer Scott to vertical farms. Despommier’s vegetarian and plentiful embark on a passionate, reveal how solving puzzles argument is not new, but he guidelines to make cooking clandestine love affair that improves your brain function. is compelling and concise. vegetarian as intuitive as leaves Michael both euphoric and confused, cooking with meat. for Hanna is not all she seems. Wisdom: From Eureka!: Philosophy to The Surprising Stories Napoleon’s Wars the South Neuroscience Behind the Ideas that Charles Esdaile Colm Toibin Stephen Hall Shaped the World HB. Was $49. Now $15 PB. Was $21.95. Now $10 HB. Was $39.95. Now $16.95 A magisterial account of the In 1950, determined to Marlen Wagman-Geller wars that engulfed Europe escape her family and Of all human attributes, PB. Was $19.95. Now $10 wisdom is perhaps the most during the rise and fall of become a painter, Katherine Did you know the slinky was Napoleon. No military figure leaves Ireland for Barcelona. vaunted. Hall attempts to first made in WWII? or that tackle the question of what in history has been quite as There she lives with an the Barbie doll was inspired polarising as Napoleon anarchist veteran of the defines wisdom and what by a German sex toy? Eureka! science has learned to date Bonaparte. Was he a Spanish Civil War until her explores the fascinating monster, driven by an past catches up with her. about this elusive characteris- stories behind these famous tic. endless, ruinous quest for military glory? Or The South is both powerful and lyrical, a creations and many others, a social and political visionary brought down novel of art and exile and the irreconcilable detailing the relationships by petty, reactionary kings of Europe? yearnings for love and freedom. How to Listen between inspirations and their inventors. to Great Music Camus: A Romance Vegetables from Robert Greenberg The Glamour Elizabeth Hawes an Italian Garden PB. Was $22.95. Now $13 of Grammar Silver Spoon From one of the most trusted HB. Was $35. Now $16 Roy Peter Clark This book reveals the man HB. Was $49.95. Now $29.95 names in continuing HB. Was $27.95. Now $12.95 education, the knowledge behind the famous name: the Features 400 delicious recipes Drawing on examples French-Algerian of humble showcasing over 40 different you need to unlock ‘the most ranging from DeLillo to abstract and sublime of all birth and Mediterranean kinds of vegetables from the Rowling, Clark lays out passions; the TB-stricken editors behind the classic the arts’. Whether you’re in a several entertaining, easy-to- concert hall or on your iPod, exile who edited the WWII Italian cooking bible, The follow rules, governing resistance newspaper Combat; Silver Spoon. Authentic and concert music has the power everything from punctuation to move you. The right knowledge can the pied noir in anguish over easy-to-use, the book will to alliteration, that promise the Algerian War; the Don Juan who loved a reveal how Italians use deepen the ability of this music to edify, to improve one’s writing and enlighten, and stir the soul. multitude of women; the writer in search of vegetables year-round to prepare simple yet develop a better appreciation for language. a truer voice. crowd-pleasing dishes. Readings Monthly June 2012 13 character actors – Ben Kingsley, Helen Mc- Tyrannosaur Crory, Emily Mortimer and Sacha Baron $29.95 Cohen among them – Hugo is utterly en- In this stark directorial debut New Release DVDs chanting. A must for cineastes of all ages. from actor Paddy Considine, DVD of the Month and calmly hurtling take on Larson’s True Blood: Season 4 limey hard-man Peter Mullan chart-topping story – which, for the disassembles his image as a Cave of forgotten $59.95 uninitiated, has a disgraced journalist villain in a kitchen-sink dreams The town of Bon Temps (Daniel Craig) team with a guileless young drama of surprising power. Released 6 June. $34.95 once again suffers an genius hacker (Rooney Mara) to tackle a Olivia Colman, meanwhile, incursion of the wildly When the Chauvet Cave was decades-old murder case on a private island is nothing less than stunning. supernatural in Alan Ball’s discovered in southern in hibernal Sweden. Slick, classy and veined (American Beauty) popular France in 1994, it was rightly by a wicked sense of humour (we might Australia: The Time take on Charlaine Harris’ realised as perhaps the most never see a superior use of Enya), this is Traveller’s Guide Sookie Stackhouse novels. significant site of prehistoric narrative cinema vacuum packed. art the modern world has Shock revelations commin- Released 7 June. $29.95 Trip through time to discover ever seen. The lone film- Arrietty gle with long-brewing temptations, while maker permitted access to laughs sidle up to genuine tension, to make Australia’s prominence as a this Paleolithic Aladdin’s den? Werner $29.95. Blu-ray $39.95 this another winning season of genre crucible for prehistoric life Herzog (Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End Studio Ghibli – Japan’s finest television’s spiciest gumbo. with scientist/filmmaker Dr of the World). With characteristic receptivity purveyors of earthy hand- Richard Smith. Here be to the absurd (at one point he suggests an drawn animation (Ponyo, Shame dinosaurs – and bizarre Spirited Away) – lend their crustaceans, and cyclopean ancient fertility effigy might prefigure the Released 6 June. $39.95 gentle sensibility to the story sea monsters, and towering women of Baywatch), he burrows further In one of the most committed performances of The Borrowers. Although megafauna … As seen on ABC1. still into that grand question that’s long of the year, Michael Fassbender plays an every bit as charming and informed his most interesting work: what affluent New Yorker pos- exciting as fans could hope, How to Cook exactly makes us human? This time, his sessed by an insatiable the film’s greatest pleasures lie in its witty conjecture comes backed by some astonish- carnality, whose efficiently like Heston reimagining of the world from its heroine’s ing evidence, offered down the eons by the sterile existence is compro- Released 6 June. $29.95 pocket-sized perspective. From the discarded cave itself. Peopled by a gallery of specialists mised by the arrival of his Haute cuisine’s answer to postage stamps repurposed as artworks to the and misfits (you won’t soon forget the sister (Carey Mulligan). Willy Wonka opens his dual-sided sellotape that enables Spider- ‘experimental archaeologist’, who speaks to Directed with flair by kitchen to dispel some Man-like adhesion to walls, the everyday is the camera clad in reindeer pelt), Cave of Hunger’s Steve McQueen, long-standing myths about a made both novel and uncanny via this fun Forgotten Dreams finds Herzog at his most Shame is already one of the talking-point few culinary staples. Eggs, extrapolation of the maxim that ‘one person’s wide-eyed and awe-struck. Seek it out. films of 2012. chocolate, cheese, chicken, trash is another’s treasure’. beef and the humble spud are each the beneficiaries of The Girl With the Hugo Curb Your Enthusiasm: Dragon Tattoo Season 8 Blumenthal’s free-range gastronomic nous. Blu-ray $39.95 Blu-ray $39.95 Based on the Caldecott- Released 13 June. $39.95 Zodiac Martha Marcy David Fincher’s ( , winning children’s novel Faux-pas-ist extraordinaire Fight Club May Marlene ) take on the first The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Larry David is back for of Steig Larson’s Lisbeth another wince-inducing Released 13 June. $39.95 Martin Scorsese’s valentine Winner of the Best Salander novels fascinates to his preferred medium season of this excruciatingly most for its utter lack of funny HBO series. This Directing award at the unfolds within the storied 2011 Sundance Film extraneous content. No world of 1930s Paris, where season finds the newly moment is wasted, no detail divorced Larry re-enter Festival, this acclaimed a young orphan is thrust into drama finds a young woman immaterial. As such, its 158 a journey of discovery when he befriends Manhattan’s dating fray, minutes zip by. Suppressing his impulse for enter a battle of wits with some unswerving (Elizabeth Olsen) struggling the precocious niece of a disgruntled toy to reassimilate with her technological innovation (it’s easy to forget he merchant. A fabulist whirligig of cinema, girl scouts and have toe-curling run-ins with The Social family after returning from a had one actor play both twins in literature, mysterious automatons and great Michael J. Fox and Ricky Gervais. Network), Fincher delivers an aptly glacial time in the wilderness with an abusive cult. READINGS HUGE DVD SALE OVER 100 CLASSIC TITLES FROM AUSTRALIA AND AROUND THE WORLD INSTORE $8.95 EACH OR 2 FOR $15 OR 3 FOR $30 OR BUY ONLINE AT WWW.READINGS.COM.AU FOR $8.95 EACH

Last Chance : Love and Devotion Exhibition A SPECIAL OFFER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION’S LAST MONTH

Spend over $100 at the Readings Love and Devotion pop-up shop throughout June and you’ll receive a large decorative box (created by Zetta Florence), valued at $19.95, for free.*

The Love and Devotion exhibition at the State Library of Victoria must close on 1 July. Don’t miss this extraordinary show of rare Persian and other illustrated manuscripts from the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford.

* Large decorative box pictured at bottom of set. Offer valid only while stocks last. $100 or more needs to be spent in one transaction at Readings’ Love and Devotion pop-up shop in order to be eligible.

View full range of Zetta Florence Love and Devotion products, and buy online, at readings.com.au. The Love and Devotion pop-up shop is open 10am-5pm, seven days a week, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne. Ph. 8664 7540. Image at side: detail from ‘preparations for a royal picnic,’ from cAttar, Intikhab-i Hadiqa, c. 1575, © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford. 14 Readings Monthly June 2012

classical, with an assortment of musical McGoldrick as well as the great Jerry Douglas instruments, from viola to clarinet. I am on dobro, Kennedy has truly made his mark particularly taken by the track ‘In the Same here with his storytelling. Tracks like ‘Jimmy Room’; it is one of the most hauntingly Sanchez’ and the epic immigration song ‘Cold New Release CDs beautiful songs I have heard in a long while. Celtic Sea’ are incredibly moving and go Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from Readings somewhere else again with McGoldrick’s Americana Carlton magnificent flute and whistle playing. For CD of the Month Neil Young & Crazy Horse me this is one of the year’s best releases. PB valtari Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 Medicine Man The Bamboos Sigur Ros It’s been a long wait for us Neil fans for his reunion $24.95. Vinyl also available Normally $24.95. Our special price $19.95 with the phenomenal Crazy Formed in 2000 by NZ Vinyl also available. Jazz Horse. Almost a decade guitarist Lance Ferguson, The sixth studio album Reimaginings after their last album togeth- and through umpteen Joe Chindamo & Zoe Black from this wonderful er, they bring you Ameri- line-up changes, The Icelandic band translates $24.95 cana, their take on American folk songs a la Bamboos have evolved into Joe Chindamo is an to ‘steamroller’ in English, Gallows Pole, This Land is Your Land, a unique and tight funk perhaps a reference to the internationally acclaimed Wayfarin’ Stranger etc. Of course, it’s far more unit praised by many as being the best in the pianist, composer and effect their music has been than a mere covers album, as they take each current era. After over a decade they are now known to have on the listener. The first half arranger while his wife Zoe song and work it into something all its own, changing tack with their latest record is a leading Australian of this record has a very distinctive ‘song’ proving along the way how relevant these Medicine Man. The Bamboos have always feel to it, which adds to the mesmerising classical violinist. They have classics remain today. Excellent stuff! incorporated guest vocalists who add nuance collaborated on this new album that opens beauty of the suite of music contained Melissa Whebell is from Readings Hawthorn to their sound. This time they have teamed within the three closing tracks. In short, classical repertoire and expands it within an with Tim Rogers, Daniel Merriweather, Aloe improvisatory framework. The result is not Valtari encompasses all the sadness, joy and Everybody’s Talkin’ Blacc and Megan Washington. The result is a wonder that is great about Sigur Ros and jazz/classical crossover as such but rather the Tedeschi Trucks Band broader sound that sees them evolving from product of two artists creating a dialogue with indeed music in general. their retro sound and perhaps gaining a bigger Declan Murphy is from Readings St Kilda Normally $24.95. Our special price $19.95 a combined language. The well-known 2CD set audience (not that they don’t already have a classical works here have been reworked to sit This double live CD was huge fan base here and in Europe). MAS comfortably in a revised and relaxed setting. If recorded during the band’s you like this, you should definitely listen to Revelator tour in 2011. It The Only Place the Hush Collection Vol 11 CD of last year, Pop/Rock features a mix of originals as Best Coast which saw Joe and Zoe re-work some of That Ol Razzle Dazzle well as covers of rock, R&B Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 Mozart’s famous works. Missy Higgins and gospel classics that For many, Best Coast’s Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 showcase the band’s rich blues and roots Crazy For You was a Jazz Festival 2012 Vinyl also available heritage. Front and centre as always, along soundtrack to 2010: a The Melbourne International Jazz Festival Five years on from two with a great band, is Tedeschi and Trucks’ melodic, poppy, lo-fi ode to brings Melbourne to life this winter, hugely successful albums, smokin’ guitar playing while Susan Tedeschi’s Californian angst. While the entertaining jazz aficionados and newcomers Missy has come back with vocals breathe life into every note sung. There sound in this second album alike with more than 300 musicians and 100 all her might. A stint at are a lot of bands that play live but THIS is a has been cleaned up, thankfully the progres- events. Witness jazz piano royalty in action university, some volunteer great live band!!! There is a difference … a sion from grungy first record to over-pro- as McCoy Tyner takes to the stage to present work and a whole lot of must listen. cessed second album has been avoided as they A Contemporary Exploration of John Coltrane time out has given her a clear view of where Lou Fulco is from Readings Hawthorn try new sounds and succeed in spades. & Johnny Hartman or be captivated by jazz she wants to be, and thankfully that happens Bethany Cosentino’s plaintive alt-coast-pop diva Dee Dee Bridgewater in her long-await- to be the singer-songwriter of passion that Rhythm & Repose songs of relationships gone awry have a raw ed Melbourne debut. There’ll be late-night we remember. Recorded in Nashville, Missy Glenn Hansard simplicity that will take you right back to the art parties, intimate club gigs, film screen- has written this collection with a fresh sound Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 time your last flame broke your heart and you ings, masterclasses, daily free concerts, but, as always, there’s plenty of attitude Hansard releases his first wailed: ‘what a day this year has been’. Evening Soundwalks and events for families amongst the lyrics. It’s good to have you album of new material Fiona Hardy is from Readings Carlton and children. Readings sponsors the Mel- back, Missy! since 2009’s Strict Joy by bourne International Jazz Festival and will Alice Bisits is from Readings Malvern The Swell Season. Over a Early Takes Vol 1 be selling CDs at selected gigs. See the full 20-year or so period he has George Harrison program at www.melbournejazz.com. Banga been responsible for music $24.95 Patti Smith by The Frames and The Swell Season (with These songs were all recorded Standard edition $21.95. Limited edition Marketa Irglova) as well as appearances in at Harrison’s home studio $24.95. Vinyl also available the films The Commitments and the hugely just prior to the recording of Special of the Month Inspired by Smith’s unique popular Once. Rhythm & Repose may be his his epic post-Beatles debut BIRD ON A WIRE DVD dreams and observations, first solo album but he continues to give a All Things Must Pass. Leonard Cohen Banga’s poetic lyrics are a piece of his life story in every song he writes. Although this CD is brief Normally $29.95. Our special price $9.95 reflection of our complex His experiences while living in New York for (30 minutes) and contains no recording details, Limited stock at this price world, a world that is rife the past year and a half inhabit these stories it is great listening, especially if you like George Captured on tour and ‘off-duty’, this al- with chaos and beauty. and no one delivers a tortured lyric quite like in a solo acoustic setting with minimal most forgotten documentary showcases one Smith has crafted an album that captures a Hansard. As with everything he puts his production apart from some bass, drums and of the world’s most respected singer-song- wide range of human experience. There is an name to, this is required listening. LF some occasional overdubbed slide guitar. Only writers. Following Leonard Cohen on his exploratory spirit in the songs that make up ‘My Sweet Lord’ with its demo-like skeletal 1972 World Tour – featuring performances Banga, including a melodic overture the Absence arrangement is a shadow of the majestic wonder in Berlin, Vienna, Copenhagen and Israel – imagining the voyage of Amerigo Vespucci Melody Gardot that graced All Things Must Pass. Everything else this is an exciting release of a once-contro- to the New World in 1497 ‘Amerigo’, a rock Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 here is extremely worthwhile including excellent versial film directed by legendary filmmaker song for the people of Japan in the wake of Fresh from her global covers of Dylan’s ‘Mama You’ve Been On My Tony Palmer. Leonard Cohen’s artistry last year’s earthquake ‘Fuji-san’, a classic touring and travels, Melody Mind’ and the Everly Brothers’ ‘Let It Be Me’ and creative force soars through 19 classic ballad in memory of Amy Winehouse, ‘This Gardot’s enthusiasm for with Harrison providing beautiful vocals and performances including ‘Famous Blue Is The Girl’, an improvised meditation on driving off the beaten path some country guitar licks. Harrison’s singing Raincoat’, ‘Sisters of Mercy’ and ‘So Long, art and nature, ‘Constantine’s Dream’ as well of Western pop, jazz, blues is warm up close and his acoustic guitar Marianne’ and features some of his most as a birthday song written for her friend and soul is evidenced more work a joy, especially on the driving folk rousing and thought-provoking poetry. Bird Johnny Depp, ‘Nine’. than ever in her latest release. From the blues take on ‘Woman Don’t You Cry for on a Wire has been painstakingly restored deserts of Morocco to the streets of Lisboa, Me’, which surfaced later on 33 and a 1/3. and re-edited from recently discovered By the Horns from the tango bars of Buenos Aires to the Paul Barr is from Readings Carlton footage. Plus four precious scenes of Cohen Julia Stone beaches of Brazil, The Absence captures the reading his own poems. Normally $26.95. Our special price $21.95 essence of each of these exotic locales, while The Sailor’s Revenge I am a big fan of the two at the same time remaining quintessentially Bap Kennedy Angus and Julia Stone Melody Gardot. $29.95 albums (Book Like This and Belfast singer-songwriter Also Out Down the Way) so was very Ekstasis Kennedy has been around Garbage / Not Your Kind of People much looking forward to Julia Holter since the late 80s but has yet Santigold / Master of My Make Believe her first solo album in 2010 $24.95 to achieve the success he Temper Trap / Self-titled – the disappointing Memory Machine. Ekstasis is the follow up deserves, although he comes Ladyhawke / Anxiety However, on this, her second solo album, record to the 2011 release highly recommended by the Liz Stringer / Warm in the Darkness she has delivered big time. Much better Tragedy by Los Angeles likes of Steve Earle and Van Morrison. The Saint Etienne / Words & Music songs, production, everything. A cracking based experimental Sailor’s Revenge leans much more on the Celtic Beach Boys / That’s Why God Made The Radio cover of The National’s ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ – a composer Julia Holter. soul direction than some of his earlier more Scissor Sisters / Magic Hour very Pink Floyd meets Neil Young on ‘Break Exstasis confirms Holter as countrified albums. However, with production Tom Jones / Spirit in the Room Apart’. Her fragile beautiful voice sounding a major talent in the style of Joanna New- and sterling guitar work from Mark Knopfler Xavier Rudd / Spirit Bird great. Dive in. some or Laurie Anderson. Holter embraces and his current band, featuring some gifted David Bowie / Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust Dave Clarke is from Readings Carlton many different musical styles, from jazz to Celtic players like John McCusker and Michael & the Spiders from Mars 40th Anniversary Readings Monthly June 2012 15

here from both known and forgotten Paris Opera composers. If you love opera, or even have Ballet Box Set a vague passing fancy for opera, this is a Various must for your collection. KR DVD. Opus Arte. OA1068BD. $49.95 Classical CDs I feel sometimes that Francaix: Chamber Whitwell is a musician strong in her own OpusArte likes to spoil Music for Winds classical lovers around the sense of self. When I read the CD notes Bergen Woodwind Quintet cover to cover, I was so enthralled with the world with some of their Classical CD BIS. BISSACD 2008. $29.95 way she wrote and was strangely disap- releases on DVD being Jean Francaix was one of pointed that they were so short. The sumptuous performances of the Month the most prolific compos- delicacy and delight in each track is that excite even the most cynical of people. Eric Whitacre: ers of the 20th century. apparent in her considered approach to After their massive Opera box set last year, Water Night Although well known in every note. These are works that are all we have now a Ballet box set, from the Eric Whitacre Singers/LSO certain circles, his music is featured in films, and as she says, ‘it’s all Opera National de Paris. Four DVDs, which Decca. 2796323. Normally $26.95 often hard to find on about how awkward people eventually can features the ballets Jewels, Chopin’s La Dame Our special price $21.95 recordings. He writes in the style of the find their place in the world, can ultimate- Aux Camelias, Prkofiev’s Cinderella and If you haven’t heard of Eric romantics with a lot of French jazz, classical ly triumph’. I believe that Sally Whitwell Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, use music, Whitacre yet, that’s all going and just a hint of contemporary thrown in has triumphed on this recording. KR costumes, choreography and sometimes even to change soon. Taking over for good measure. I adore all of his wood- silence to weave fairytale ballets into brilliant the world one YouTube clip Friedrich Der Grosse/ wind music and this is a real gem from the productions. It’s a long way to go to Paris at a time, this new recording Frederick the Great Bergen Woodwind Quintet. The album just to see ballet, and so I’m thrilled that was produced using the features ‘Wind Quintets No 1’ (1948), ‘No OpusArte insist on bringing it to us. KR internet in 73 different countries with 3,746 (Music for the Berlin 2’ (1987), the ‘Wind Quartet of 1933’, and singers. My first thought at this was, ‘oh dear’. Court) the delightful ‘Divertissement for Oboe, However, from the first glorious notes you Akademie Fur Alte Musik Clarinet and Bassoon’. KR can see that they’ve used technology at the Berlin very height of sophistication. The works are Harmonia Mundi. HMC902132. $24.95 Elgar: Classical Specials all for unaccompanied choir, aside from the The more I hear from the Cello Concerto title track and ‘River Cam’, which includes Akademie Fur Alte Musik, Paul Watkins/Sir Andrew Davis of the Month solo cello. This is in the grand tradition of Karajan – The Music Berlin, the more respect I Chandos. CHAN10709. $19.95 The Legend Gregorian Chant, John Rutter and every have for them. I have Who doesn’t love the Elgar choral master you’ve ever heard. What a heard many of Frederick Cello Concerto. Always up Herbert Von Karajan stunning album, do not miss it. the Great’s flute works in there in the Top 10 works DG. 4777097. Normally $26.95 Kate Rockstrom is from Readings Carlton the past, and the works surrounding them ever written, it was Our special price $11.95 (CD + DVD) from his court. I am afraid to say that originally made famous by Limited stock at this price Beethoven: Complete often I find them tedious, except that Jacqueline du Pre. In this Piano Sonatas when they’re presented like this, you can’t new release from Chandos, the estimable Claudio Arrau help but understand why they’ve endured Paul Watkins take the solo part with Sir Decca. 4783694. $74.95 (12CD set) the last 300 years. They feel fresh, as if Andrew Davis conducting the BBC Chilean pianist Claudio they’re being recorded for the first time. I Philharmonic. With a completely UK line Arrau (1903–1991) is widely love the brightness and bounce to every up, you can be assured that this is a regarded as one of the note in the Allegro movements. The stunning recording. They don’t over-roman- Echoes of Time: Works greatest pianists of the accents and occasional syncopations ticise the works and at times seem quite by Kancheli / Part / twentieth century, and he surprise just as much now as they would restrained in their emotional input. Rachmaninov / recorded this cycle of have in the day. KR However, this works beautifully to show off Shostakovich Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas in the 1960s. their musicality and style. Also including These analogue recordings are warm and rich, Pietro Metastasio: the Introduction and Allegro, Elegy and the Lisa Batiashvili with great spatial depth, and Arrau delicately L’Olimpiade wonderful five Military Marches ‘Pomp and DG. 4779299. Normally $26.95 balanced the required technical muscularity Markellos Chryssicos/Venice Circumstance’. KR Our special price $11.95 with an intense, deeply tender emotionality. Baroque Orchestra Limited stock at this price This is particularly apparent in the later works, Naive. V5295. $49.95 (2 CDs) Dvorak: The two specials this month are excellent from the ‘Hammerklavier’ (No. 29), through Olympic fever is taking Symphony No. 7 representations of the old and the new in to Beethoven’s devastating final sonata from over again and this time Elgar: Enigma classical music. The old is of course Herbert 1822, just five years before his death. This set it’s even bled into the Variations Von Karajan, one of the great conductors of by Arrau has been out of print for years, so world of classical music. Pierre Monteux/LSO all time. There are excellent performances on Decca’s reissue, which includes the Diabelli As much as some people this compilation, particularly the Brahms 4th Variations, is a welcome one. If you don’t have Eloquence. 4805019. $9.95 symphony. The bonus DVD features mostly would shudder at this Pierre Monteux is a name a complete set of Beethoven’s extraordinary pia- thought, don’t! It has meant that we have rehearsals, conducted in German, with the no sonatas (even if you do – I have three!) then that I was not familiar complete Beethoven Fifth at the end. The this amazing recording. Between the early with when I opened this this exemplary collection is for you. 1700s right through until the mid-1800s recording debut of Lisa Batiashvili is a beauti- Lisa MacKinney is from Readings Carlton CD to listen. Right from fully considered programme. She wears her dozens of composers took the same libretto the opening notes of the by Pietro Metastasio, set in the world of the heart on her sleeve as she performs works by The Good, the Bad ‘Dvorak Symphony No 7’ composers whose lives and work have been Olympiad, and composed an opera based though, I was entranced by the surety of and the Awkward upon it. Cut to the 21st century and we heavily influenced by the political happen- the interpretation. It was when I read the ings in the former Soviet Union. Lisa, herself, Sally Whitwell have a collection of die-hard musicologists liner notes and realised that not only was ABC. 4764898. $24.95 come together to perform one of these. went into German exile with her family he the conductor at the infamous premiere during the political upheaval in Georgia in This title perfectly suits this Realising that so many of the operas have of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring but these two new release from recent been left neglected, with painstaking 1991. All performances here are excellent, works were recorded toward the end of his especially the Shostakovich, surely one piano superstar, Sally deliberation, they created this ‘Pasticcio’. illustrious career that I understood. Whitwell. From the very Tying together the original libretto, each of the great violin concertos of the 20th Cleaned up and crystal clear, this is a century. first track, performed on aria is from a different opera by a different chance to hear a master at the height of melodica, you can hear that composer. There is some amazing music his powers. KR

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