Culture
Books
His mum and dad were treated differently. He wanted to understand why
Ziggy Ramo’s raw hip-hop made a lot of Australians uncomfortable. He expects his book to do the same.
- by Michael Dwyer
Latest
Can men ever escape toxic masculinity? That’s what this book asks
Myfanwy Jones’ Cool Waters is a smooth read, thanks to its finely polished prose and a seamless structure.
- by Jo Case
This mesmerising work of non-fiction that will inspire awe and make you weep
James Bradley explores humanity’s past, present and possible futures through the lens of the world’s oceans in his new book Deep Water: The World in the Ocean.
- by Bianca Nogrady
Shame and be shamed: A young man’s struggle to get out of poverty
Edouard Louis’ autofiction tells of the path he took to become a famous writer.
- by Owen Richardson
Eight books: A brilliant feminist novella and an amusing look at death
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Are smartphones damaging our young people? This book says yes
Jonathan Haidt says parents are overprotective in the real world and underprotective in the virtual world.
- by Andrew Leigh
The rejection letters Toni Morrison sent to aspiring writers
We have a glimpse into the letters of an editor who was frank, fair and often very encouraging – and went on to become a literary giant herself.
- by Jane Sullivan
Opinion
WordPlay
Taylor Swift’s poetic licence: why all the fuss around her new album title?
Grammar pedants have been swift to judge, but pop often plays loose with punctuation.
- by David Astle
How Francis Ford Coppola beat the odds to become a cinematic genius
Sam Wasson sees the director’s films as reflections of his mode of being, his temperament and moral character.
- by Tom Ryan
Did Salman Rushdie foresee the attack that nearly killed him?
Three nights earlier, the acclaimed author had a disturbing dream. It was not his first eerie premonition.
- by JP O'Malley
Opinion
WordPlay
In praise of the eggcorn, the English language’s most logical mistake
Suffering from rumourism? You’ll need a courtesan shot for that.
- by David Astle