Spectrum
Why we need the ABC, a brooding wartime thriller and six other books to read
The rigorous analysis of Who Needs the ABC? and period crime novel Deception Bay lead our reviews of new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Fiona Capp and Cameron Woodhead
Latest
Ancestral spirits and imagined futures in Indigenous world-first
The first collection of speculative fiction from well-known and emerging First Nations writers is timely and thought-provoking.
- by Declan Fry
A meticulous portrait of one of our greatest poets
A portrait of poet Gwen Harwood, who battled to be heard in Australia’s male-dominated literary establishment
- by Morag Fraser
A fresh twist on living with grief and sorrow
This debut introspective novel subverts the trope of healing from trauma in a bucolic location with insights into a world where we are all addicted to our phones.
- by Liam Pieper
Love reading or showing off your bookshelf? This fascinating book is a must
Emma Smith’s Portable Magic sparkles with gems of trivia about reading and publishing, including rejected authors, book burnings and masterpieces that failed at first.
- by Pat Sheil
‘I hope to be better still’: Why legendary artist Ken Done is painting over his old pictures
For Ken Done, the passion for painting still burns bright, but equally strong is his desire to make the most of all of his work.
- by Nick Galvin
★★★ 1/2
Review
Oscar-winning duo keep unusual sci-fi grounded
Sissy Spacek and JK Simmons are superb in this enchanting, if ultimately frustrating, science fiction drama.
- by Kylie Northover
When was the last time Busy Philipps got drunk with Michelle Williams?
We ask the important questions with the beloved star of Freaks and Geeks and Girls5eva.
- by Robert Moran
Enjoy your sculptures by the sea? Wait until you see them in the Snowies
The creators of the sculpture trail along Sydney’s east coast have turned their attention inland to one of Australia’s renowned beauty spots.
- by John McDonald
Let’s have a moment for the finest piece of literature in cinema
Quite simply, it’s the best grand gesture ever in a rom-com.
- by Deirdre Fidge
I swore I would never become a teacher, and now I wonder why I continue
There will be another training session about punctuation and calculating percentages, but what about the skills that aren’t quantifiable?
- by Yumna Kassab