Book Reviews
What’s good, what’s bad, and what’s in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles.
How Joe Biden’s inner circle lied about the president’s mental state
Journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson have written a damning account suffused with relentless agony, writes Bruce Wolpe.
- by Bruce Wolpe
I just read Jacinda Ardern’s memoir. No wonder she didn’t last
The former New Zealand prime minister’s memoir isn’t a dry political affair; it’s full of sympathy, love and empathy.
- by Jenna Price
Estranged sisters and a curious gift: 14 new books to get stuck into this month
There are plenty of books heading our way as we head into winter. Here is a small sample.
- by Jason Steger
Australia has a rich tradition of fakers and forgers – this story offers a worthy addition
Dominic Amerena’s novel follows an unnamed, opportunistic narrator looking to make his name in the literary world.
- by Declan Fry
For 20 years this novel has reduced the most hardened critics to tears
Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, published 20 years ago, has sold millions of copies and been translated into 50 languages.
- by Jane Sullivan
Searching for your next read? Here are 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
A haunting memoir of a broken girl saved by rock ‘n’ roll
Singer-songwriter Neko Case reveals a childhood of poverty and emotional cruelty in her compelling new memoir.
- by Michael Dwyer
Prepare to be discombobulated by this bonkers crime caper
Australian actor and playwright Toby Schmitz has made an outlandish excursion into the crime genre.
- by Sue Turnbull
The untold story of the Australians who helped fight Franco
The little-known story of a group of Australians whose principles and conviction led them to fight in the Spanish Civil War.
- by Kurt Johnson
This truth-telling book unsettled me, both mentally and physically
Kate Grenville’s moving book follows her pilgrimage through the places her family stories happened, to put the stories and the First Peoples back into the narrative.
- by Helen Elliott
In The Dream Hotel, even thinking about murder is enough to send you to jail
Laila Lalami imagines a world in which our dreams are monitored for clues to potential crimes.
- by Madeleine Heffernan
Looking for something to read? Here are 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over 10 new fiction and non-fiction books.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
The Hollywood legend who spent her career passing as white
This biography of Merle Oberon traces her roots from a life of poverty in India to the glamour of 1930s Hollywood, where she went to great lengths to hide her true identity.
- by Brian McFarlane
An open marriage, wry humour and banned novels: 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
These diaries of Joan Didion should never have been published
Notes to John is a crude, even aberrant, addition to Didion’s published writings.
- by Nathan Smith
A piercing, poignant tale about love, loss and writing
Caro Llewellyn’s Love Unedited is a read for the tender of heart and the independent of spirit.
- by Vanessa Francesca
Suspense, spells and a deeply moving diary: 10 new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction titles.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
How a seminal American artwork divided Australians
When Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles was bought in 1973 for $1.4 million by the Whitlam government, it sparked a national controversy.
- by Michael McGirr
Emily Henry’s new romcom proves again she is a formulaic genius
The bestselling author’s latest novel features all the tropes that her dedicated fans know and adore.
- by Jessie Tu
Isabel Allende’s new book is a bold, contradictory enchantment
The Chilean-American author’s latest work is moving, eloquent and breaks all the rules.
- by Peter Craven
Online pile-ons and culture wars: How did we get here?
Philosopher A.C. Grayling dissects the evolution of cultural warfare and makes a sensible, if optimistic, case for an armistice of sorts.
- by Pat Sheil
A Booker winner, a comedy and Hitler’s obsession with Einstein
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
‘Inconvenient women’, mortality and a controversial work by Joan Didion: 13 new books to delve into
From a book that its own author may not have approved of to a beautiful and confronting photography collection, there’s a bumper crop of releases this month.
- by Jason Steger
This hotly anticipated novel explores the dark embers of the psyche
In the third instalment of her fictional triptych, Katie Kitamura wields her words with scalpel-like precision to explore the demands women are “expert at negotiating”.
- by Jessie Tu
Tom Hanks’ daughter reveals a childhood marred by abuse at the hands of her mother
E.A. Hanks’ memoir recreates a road trip she once took with her late mother to seek answers to what was an “incomprehensible” childhood.
- by Nathan Smith
Does the US suffer from an abundance of good intentions?
A central focus for US progressives should be raising wellbeing by creating more for everyone, argue Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in their new book.
- by Andrew Leigh
Eight new books to take you from rock ‘n’ roll to the joy of nature
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Two new books delve into the 20th century’s wittiest women
Nora Ephron and Dorothy Parker lived in different times but had much in common.
- by Tom Ryan
This new biography of Yoko Ono is a compelling, if one-sided, read
Biographer David Sheff first met John Lennon and Yoko Ono shortly before Lennon was murdered in 1981, and has remained friends with Ono since.
- by JP O'Malley
James Bradley’s new novel subverts the classic crime-solving trope
Landfall, like Bradley’s previous two novels, centres on exploring the impacts and possible remedies to the human-induced climate crisis.
- by Justine Hyde
The master of courtroom drama returns with a new sequel
Scott Turow resurrects an old hero for the latest novel in his Kindle County legal series.
- by Tom Ryan
From a gothic ghost story to a titillating memoir: eight new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
The former Age critic who helped the MSO bring music to the people
Largely unknown outside academic circles, Fritz Hart was a seminal figure in Melbourne music.
- by Barney Zwartz
From scientists to artists, clouds have always enchanted us
This guide to identifying clouds reminds us of the close historical connection between art and science in capturing natural phenomena.
- by Simon Caterson
A witty guide to fixing the status quo that harms us all
Award-winning author and academic Cordelia Fine gives us a once-in-a-lifetime analysis of gender equality – and what needs to change.
- by Jenna Price
An evocative exploration of adolescence, loneliness and masculinity
Australian author Vijay Khurana’s debut rewards being read multiple times.
- by Declan Fry
Millennials, mums and an Australian mermaid: Eight new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Is this the most Australian crime thriller of all time?
Jane Caro’s Lyrebird is a well-crafted crime novel – and as Aussie as it gets.
- by Sue Turnbull
This sharp satire features a conwoman you can empathise with
The anti-heroine in Sophie Quick’s debut novel scams people just enough to get by – because she’s a single mother with no support.
- by Jessie Tu
‘Streaming as surveillance’: How Spotify is poisoning music in the digital age
In Mood Machine, American music journalist Liz Pelly outlines the story of the music streaming giant’s conquest of the format.
- by Michael Dwyer
The genius physicist whose work was inspired by Escher
Roger Penrose, a mathematician and physicist, is still working at age 93.
- by Pat Sheil
A poetic thriller about humanity and connection in the internet age
Colum McCann’s new novel is, as its title suggests, a twisty literary thriller that breaks the rules.
- by Peter Craven
From a twisty thriller to a moving Ukrainian war diary: eight new books
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
This bonkers road-trip story is witty, boring and annoying. I loved it
Swiss author Christian Kracht’s novel follows a mother and son on a road trip across Switzerland squandering their riches.
- by Helen Elliott
You don’t want to think of your doctor as human: Adam Kay
The former doctor turned author (turned humorist) says he “probably” has PTSD after the traumatic event at work that caused him to change professions.
- by John Bailey
This gripping parable could only exist in a post-pandemic world
Chris Flynn’s new novel has the uneasy thrall of a lockdown-era nightmare.
- by Jordan Prosser
Steve Vizard probes the Gallipoli myth and Brooke Boney gets personal: This month in books
Plenty of new books hit the bookshops today, with more to come later in the month. Here are 15 of them.
- by Jason Steger
Graydon Carter’s adventures with Trump, Deep Throat and Anna Wintour
The legendary editor’s memoir is a heady account of the golden era of magazines.
- by Nathan Smith
Eight books for every reader, from a romcom to essays on big ideas
Our reviewers cast their eyes over new fiction and non-fiction releases.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp
Lively, wise and slyly funny: Curtis Sittenfeld’s short-story collection
Long-term readers will recognise Sittenfeld’s voice and for fans of her bestselling Prep, there’s an added bonus.
- by Daniel Herborn
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/culture/books/book-reviews-20250526-p5m2c9.html