Well, book fairies do, at least. Recently I was sitting inside at a table looking out the front window of … More
Category: Culture
‘The Lieutenant’
I’m a latecomer to Kate Grenville’s writing. So, this is my first book of hers, and what an engaging story, … More
‘Humankind: A Hopeful History’
Translated from Dutch, Rutger Bregman (Utopia for Realists) has made a compelling case in this book, debunking the fundamental belief … More
Houellebecq Weltanschauung*
Sérotonine is the latest novel by France’s ageing enfant terrible Michel Houellebecq (pronounced well-BECK), with his hallmark provocations and ironic … More
Bald-Faced Archies
The Archibald Prize is the NSW Art Gallery’s popular and populist, annual award for portraiture. Christopher Allen, eminent art reviewer, … More
‘A Moveable Feast’
Ernest Hemingway’s memoir of living with his first wife Hadley in Paris in 1921-26, as a young struggling writer, is … More
Stingel Status
Italian artist Rudolf Stingel was among the latest art acquisitions announced yesterday by the National Gallery of Australia, following unexpected … More
Mask Matters
Inspirational Elizabeth Farrelly explains eloquently (SMH Aug 8-9) in this pandemic-protection era, the meaning and transformative qualities of masks, the … More
On the Road with Christos
‘Damascus’ is a recent novel by Christos Tsiolkas (author of The Slap), in which he recreates the peripatetic lives of … More
A.A.Gill Glitters
Adrian Anthony Gill was a provocateur-par-excelllence, and a hugely entertaining writer. His scathing style and waspish wit make me chuckle*. … More
