Neither memoir nor story, the descriptive detail is fine, but it lacks any overall movement, is slow going and painful to read, and ultimately leaves the reader with nothing more than a brief impression of the mental state of the…
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A review of Step Across This Line by Salman Rushdie
The essays in this collection are, without exception, witty, intelligent, acerbic, moving, thoughtful and above all, truthful. Celebrating secular freedom of thought and speech, personal responsibility and courage, together they form a thesis. The book reads quickly, and all of…
A review of The Online Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert Bly
Bly is probably one of the world’s most famous and experienced copywriters, and he not only has more than 20 years experience, worked for over 100 clients and authored 50 books, he is also a noted authority on the creation…
Interview with Sean Brijbasi
In this quick, crisp and subtly humorous interview, the author of One Note Symphonies talks about his book, his lack of influences, his favourite words, reasons for publishing, his other work and more. Interview by Magdalena Ball Magdalena Ball: Tell me…
A review of One Note Symphonies by Sean Brijbasi
Brijbasi makes connections that have nothing do with sequence of events or prominence of character. It is, in fact, juxtaposition that rules. Nothing is placed next to another in the way that you would expect but each element is very…
Interview with Carole Waterhouse
The author of Without Wings talks about her book’s germination, her characters, the writing process, on teaching writing in a prison, on finding her publisher, her new book and lots more. Interview by Magdalena Ball Magdalena Ball: What inspired you to…
A review of An Angel in Australia by Tom Keneally
Although this is primarily a novel of plot – a fine story, rather than a difficult exploration of ideas, Frank’s attempts to reconcile a personal morality which makes sense in terms of his own experiences with the Church’s morality is…
A Review of Portraits in Fiction by A S Byatt
It is likely that, as an writer who works solely with words, however visually descriptive these words may be, Byatt is naturally biased. Portraits in Fiction is nevertheless, exactly what literary criticism should be, provocative, well researched, well written, enjoyable to read,…
A Review of Pasta e Sugo by Maria Ponte
If you are a beginning cook, and looking for a no-frills, easy to use cookbook with a number of well known pasta dishes, Pasta e Sugo might not be a bad choice, otherwise serious pasta lovers may be disappointed with the lack…
A review of Only Heaven by Ricky Ian Gordon
What really stands out though is the combination of the distinctive Gordon musical sound, the exceptional singers and the rich pathos of Hughes’ words. The music which is at once experimental and showtuney, innovative but accessible, has elements of Jazz,…