Culture
Books
He’s sold 425 million books. She’s won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Grammy
James Patterson and Viola Davis are new partners in crime, teaming up to write one of the year’s biggest page-turners.
- by Richard Jinman
Latest
Twice as nice or double the trouble? The rise of co-authored novels
Co-writing has a home in almost every other form of artistic writing, but a snobbery still exists about co-written novels even though we’re seeing it in fiction more and more.
- by Drew Turney
This thrilling book is a full-frontal attack on the senses
Set against a backdrop of high-risk rock climbing, Crux is as compelling as it is masterful.
- by Candida Baker
This meditative novel might help you escape the doomscrolling
Claire Thomas’ third novel explores grief, memory and art – with nary an algorithm in sight.
- by Declan Fry
Why are people still scared of the word feminist?
Two authors examine the history and contemporary politics of Australia’s feminist movement and come to different conclusions.
- by Heidi Maier
A tense thriller that draws on its author’s experience in the Balkans war
Ian Kemish’s first foray into fiction is informed by his time working in international relations.
- by Warwick McFadyen
Sydney Writers’ Festival promises ‘brave conversations’ in wake of Gaza controversy
The festival is staring down a letter-writing campaign targeting its sponsors as it announces a program of intellectual heft and big literary names.
- by Linda Morris
Series
Literature
Book Reviews
What’s good, what’s bad, and what’s in between in literature this year? Here we review the latest titles.
Opinion
WordPlay
Do you live in one of Australia’s most oddly named towns?
Show me the way to Peter the Swede.
- by David Astle
Fungi, snakes and Virginia Woolf: 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Stop counting your books and start actually reading them, you heathens
The raw number of books a person reads doesn’t tell you much about their general level of intelligence.
- by David Free