Spectrum
★★★★
Streaming
Squid Game was one of the biggest TV shows ever made. But does season two measure up?
The long-awaited sequel to the 2021 mega-hit from Korea is likely to leave viewers wanting more – but having to wait to get it.
- by Karl Quinn
Latest
A melancholy family saga, a year of mudlarking and other new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Get your kids off their screens with our pick of 2024’s kids’ books
Lure your kids away from their screens these holidays with our top pick of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction.
- by Frances Atkinson
Retelling of Iranian embassy siege is as gripping as an action film
Ben MacIntyre’s thrilling account of the siege that gripped the world offer some astonishing new details.
- by Simon Caterson
Alex Miller’s novel skilfully explores the redemptive power of art
Miller has often drawn on the experience of art and artists and The Deal is no exception.
- by Michael McGirr
John Marsden kick-started a boom in Australian YA fiction
The phenomenally successful author, who died last week, believed “intensity” was the key to writing for teenage readers.
- by Jane Sullivan
A mysterious woman, a sudden death keep us guessing in Parthenope
Paolo Sorrentino was orphaned at 16. His films still grapple with the questions that followed.
- by Stephanie Bunbury
Dear Santa: How about a door for my motel bathroom?
I’m a bit too big for Santa’s knee, but I hope St Nick can fulfil my wish list. After all, I’ve been good this year.
- by Richard Glover
From heroic to hideous, these are the year’s most memorable characters
While some of them were breaking our hearts, others made our stomachs turn: good, bad, ugly or otherwise, we’ll find them hard to forget...
- by Jordan Prosser
Only one singer could convince Amy Winehouse’s manager to get back in the game. Meet Lola Young
The rising British star is attracting high-profile fans with her raw and real presence and her viral Gen-Z anthem, Messy.
- by Annabel Ross
Paddington stars have a message for us all as beloved bear goes home
In their first outing with Peru’s most famous export, Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman embrace a story of belonging.
- by Stephanie Bunbury
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/spectrum-smh-hog