I watched an interview with Jane Rawson on ABC’s The Mix recently and was struck by her comment that she tries to insert humour into climate fiction, which is not an easy thing to do. After reading her novel, A Wrong Turn at the Office of Unmade Lists I can happily attest that she absolutely succeeded. […]
australian writers
Review: Gulliver’s Wife, by Lauren Chater
I really enjoyed this story. I love Lauren Chater’s writing and was a huge fan of her first book, The Lace Weaver, set during World War II. Gulliver’s Wife takes us further back in history – to 1702 in London – to imagine what life might have been like for the fictional wife of Jonathan […]
Review: Blackbirds Sing, by Aiki Flinthart
In an effort to distract myself from the anxiety-inducing news cycle, I’ve decided to catch up on my book reviews instead. I’m starting with Blackbirds Sing, by Aiki Flinthart, because it’s a 5-star read that’s immersive, fascinating and ultimately hopeful. Blackbirds Sing is the story of the attempted assassination of King Henry VII of England. […]
Review: The Old Lie, by Claire G. Coleman
The Old Lie, by Claire G. Coleman is one of those brilliant but infuriating novels that you really want to tell other people to read, but is really hard to describe properly without including at least a couple of almost-spoilers. I can tell you that it’s a wonderfully imaginative, dark novel set in the future (mostly in […]
Review: Their Brilliant Careers, by Ryan O’Neill
This book is utterly fascinating! Short bios about 16 extraordinary Australian writers going back to the 19th century – many of whom I’ve never heard of. There’s one woman who was a successful crime fiction writer – though of questionable talent – who conspired with her husband to blackmail her way to publication. Then there’s […]
Review: Beyond – A Short Story Collection, by Alanah Andrews
I’ve become a big fan of short story collections in recent years. They’re fabulous to dip in and out of, and great for when you’re tired and can’t focus on a novel-length narrative. Beyond, by Alanah Andrews, is aimed at YA level but is very enjoyable for adults as well. The stories range in length […]
