Culture
Books
A savage historical novel and the story of an Australian innovation
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Latest
Who can tell the wood from the trees when it comes to climate change?
Peter Wohlleben’s latest paean to trees reads as if his expertise is being stretched a bit thin.
- by Sophie Cunningham
Troubled by uncertainty? An agony aunt makes the case for doubt
On his way to Australia, Daniel M. Lavery unpacks the subtle art of offering solutions.
- by Daniel M. Lavery
A sure and curious guide into the world of fat liberation
Kris Kneen’s book is a narrative of a journey of embodiment and self-acceptance.
- by Sam van Zweden
Opinion
Real life
What do flat-Earthers, Trumpists and the Q&A audience have in common?
The certainty of a mind made up is usually impervious to the facts.
- by Anson Cameron
Can words set us free? The world’s coolest poet certainly thinks so
On his way to Australia, poet and musician Anthony Joseph is out to move us - to tears and to protest.
- by Jane Cornwell
This year’s Best Young Australian Novelists revealed
The winners have delivered three clever, ambitious - and very different - books.
- by Melanie Kembrey
Heading on a winter holiday? Then help me answer this question
It’s a semantic debate that’s got me stuffed.
- by David Astle
Dear future, here’s the one lesson I want to pass on to you
Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time, pens a personal letter to the future.
- by Jenny Odell
The startling role that disease played in human evolution
Jonathan Kennedy examines illnesses and their effects on entire societies.
- by Pat Sheil
Sebastian Barry shines light on survivors of abuse in Ireland’s Catholic institutions
There is a library of books about the dark side of Catholicism in Ireland. God’s Old Time, in the beauty of its language and depth of storytelling, is a novel full of light, offering solace and release.
- by Michael McGirr