Driven by the force of hobbits
The Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien’s fan mail will be exhibited for the first time next year.
Books
Politicians in war of words
We are about to be flooded with a torrent of books from politicians.
Game of tomes: the book wars
We are about to be flooded with a torrent of political books, including one which will step up the Abbott-Turnbull wars.
Sacks’s late-blooming affair
Bill Hayes’s memoir is filled with Oliver Sacks’s endearing eccentricity and wonder at his late encounter with love.
‘Cursed’ gem spells ruin
John Zubrzycki’s Mysterious Mr Jacob mingles spies, court cases, the occult and a near priceless diamond.
Misanthrope’s retreat
At 72, Rick Gekoski, who has handled a signed, first edition of Joyce’s Ulysses, has written his first novel.
Closer to the source
One writer’s acquaintance with a classic Australian novel is moulded by time and place — and a remarkable coincidence.
Sleuth returns to dope zone
Michael Wilding has crafted one of the most remarkable careers of any contemporary Australian writer.
Waves of continuity and change
Four new books of poetry document the struggles we face to define ourselves as individuals and members of a community.
Being there, being Kafka
The final instalment in a biography of the gifted Czech writer reveals the fears and inspirations that shaped him.
Obama’s legacy
The end of Obama and the beginning of Trump raises important questions for the US.
A little flight reading
It’s all about the world’s top spots for memorable film and TV scenes, not the studios where the hard yakka is done.
Paradoxes of future king
A biography of Prince Charles reveals his passion for Monty Python and his decade-long therapy to deal with Diana.
Dylan pockets his Nobel
Bob Dylan finally has his hands on his Nobel Literature diploma and medal.
Mrs Kelly’s astonishing life
A biography of Ned Kelly’s mother offers new perspectives on the legend of the outlaw family.
Mix of sacred and profane
The tongue-in-cheek tone of Rabih Alameddine’s new novel belies its exploration of grief.
Traversing the sands of time
Although the European presence in Australia is more than 200 years old it sometimes seems the legacy of the past is more present.
Frivolities irk woman of steel
It says a lot about Theresa May’s character that she betrayed almost no elation at becoming Britain’s PM.
Empathy and brutality
We’re foul and fallen beasts, and the fiction of Ottessa Moshfegh provides our age with a defining act of portraiture.
Gallipoli sniper’s saga
Though subtitled ‘a novel’, Billy Sing draws on the most celebrated Australian sniper of World War I.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/books/page/196