Newtown Review of Books

@newtownbooks

Sydney's original online review of books, established March 2012 by Jean Bedford and Linda Funnell. We are a free and independent site for book reviews. Find us at On Gadigal land. Posts by LF.

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Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 19d

ICYMI reviews of 3 new Australian books: Braham Dabscheck on Casey Mulder (ed.) Worlds within a World: First Nations women share their stories Justine Ettler on Sarah Walker's dystopian The Water Takes Ann Skea on Isabelle Li's novel The Northern Tomb newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Worlds within a World edited by Casey Mulder, The Water Takes by Sarah Walker, and The Northern Tomb by Isabelle Li.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 21d

"This is a slim book with only three voices, but it immerses the reader in everyday life in northern China, a place shaped by its past and its more recent history." Ann Skea reviews Isabelle Li's novel The Northern Tomb: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/isabelle-li-... #AustralianWriters #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book The Northern Tomb by Isabelle Li, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 22d

"A sweet, original contribution to the climate-change genre, Walker’s is a novel with a difference, combining a domestic register with hints of magic realism." Justine Ettler reviews Sarah Walker's The Water Takes: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/sarah-walker... #AustralianAuthors #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book The Water Takes by Sarah Walker, reviewed by Justine Ettler in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 23d

"a more than useful contribution to a broader understanding of how First Nations people have struggled to survive and maintain themselves and their culture." Braham Dabscheck reviews Casey Mulder (ed.) Worlds within a World newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/casey-mulder... #AustralianHistory #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Worlds Within A World edited by Casey Mulder, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 26d

ICYMI this week's reviews: Robert Goodman on Jordan Harper's new LA noir, A Violent Masterpiece @jamesjourno.bsky.social on Wayne Marshall's reimagining of Henry Lawson, Henry Goes Bush Sandra Hogan on Nadia Wheatley's history Strange New World newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper, Henry Goes Bush by Wayne Marshall, and Strange New World by Nadia Wheatley.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 28d

"Wheatley makes two main points in her history. First, Jewish residents were not passive victims.. Second, the Belsen DP camp was an important element in the establishment of Israel." Sandra Hogan reviews Nadia Wheatley's Strange New World: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/nadia-wheatl... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Strange New World by Nadia Wheatley, reviewed by Sandra Hogan in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· 29d

"takes the reader to unexpected places both fun and frightful, as surreal as Wake in Fright stuck in a landscape painted by James Gleeson." James Arbuthnott reviews Wayne Marshall's debut novel Henry Goes Bush: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/wayne-marsha... @jamesjourno.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Henry Goes Bush by Wayne Marshall, reviewed by James Arbuthnott in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 14

"Harper delivers a sharp and compulsive slice of modern LA noir .. taking on the current American malaise and dropping readers deep into the dark side of American life." Robert Goodman reviews @jordanharper.bsky.social A Violent Masterpiece: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/jordan-harpe... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper, reviewed by Robert Goodman in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 11

ICYMI this week's reviews: Jessica Stewart on Kris Kneen's new novel Rite of Spring Braham Dabscheck on James O'Loghlin's memoir The Missing Piece Bernard Whimpress on Mark McKenna's The Shortest History of Australia Find them at: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #AustralianAuthors #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Rite of Spring by Kris Kneen, The Missing Piece by James O’Loghlin, and The Shortest History of Australia by Mark McKenna.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 9

“Some critics will label McKenna’s book ‘black armband history’. It’s definitely not of the white-picket-fence variety, but honest history at its best.” Bernard Whimpress reviews Mark McKenna's The Shortest History of Australia: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/mark-mckenna... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book The Shortest History of Australia by Mark McKenna, reviewed by Bernard Whimpress in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 8

James O’Loghlin wanted to help a dying friend. He ended up running a campaign to change the law for victims of asbestos. Braham Dabscheck reviews James O'Loghlin's memoir The Missing Piece: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/james-ologhl... #Asbestos #Memoir #Friendship #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book The Missing Piece by James O’Loghlin, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 7

"Kneen has pulled off an extraordinary feat here: a lyrical, exquisitely written novel which is both wildly imaginative and compelling in equal measure." Jessica Stewart reviews Kris Kneen's new novel Rite of Spring: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/kris-kneen-r... #AustralianWriters #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Rite of Spring by Kris Kneen, reviewed by Jessica Stewart in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 4

ICYMI this week's reviews: Ann Skea on Alexandria Burnham's historical novel Swallow Braham Dabscheck on Alice Nannup's memoir When the Pelican Laughed Robert Goodman on Adrian Tchaikovsky's noir fiction Green City Wars Find them at: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Swallow by Alexandria Burnham, When the Pelican Laughed by Alice Nannup with Lauren March and Stephen Kinnane, and Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 2

"another winner from Tchaikovsky. It is science fiction drawing on the noir tradition that uses its animal characters to shine a light on humanity." Robert Goodman reviews Adrian Tchaikovsky's novel Green City Wars: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/adrian-tchai... @aptshadow.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky, reviewed by Robert Goodman in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jul 1

"a clear account of the life of an Aboriginal woman in twentieth-century Australia... It is also a testament to Alice Nannup’s strength of character and resilience." Braham Dabscheck reviews Alice Nannup's memoir When the Pelican Laughed: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/alice-nannup... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book When the Pelican Laughed by Alice Nannup with Lauren Marsh and Stephen Kinnane, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 30

"This could have been a piratical sea-saga like many others, but Swallow’s life is so full of extraordinary events, and he tells it so vividly, that it is hard to believe it is all true." Ann Skea reviews Alexandria Burnham's novel Swallow newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/alexandria-b... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Swallow by Alexandria Burnham, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 27

ICYMI this week's reviews: Viv Ronnebeck on JP Pomare's The Gambler Karen Chisholm on Ashley Kalagian Blunt's Like, Follow, Die @michaeljongen.bsky.social on Holden Sheppard's Yeah the Boys Find them all at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au @austcrimefiction.org @v8sheppard.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books The Gambler by JP Pomare, Like Follow Die by Ashley Kalagian Blunt, and Yeah the Boys by Holden Sheppard.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 25

"Yeah the Boys is a celebration and critique at the same time. It’s also great fun, well plotted, a rollicking and moving story." Michael Jongen reviews Holden Sheppard's novel Yeah the Boys: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/holden-shepp... @v8sheppard.bsky.social @michaeljongen.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Yeah the Boys by Holden Sheppard, reviewed by Michael Jongen in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 24

"The conclusion to the story is red hot and explosive, but the underlying message ... is stone cold and chilling." Karen Chisholm reviews Ashley Kalagian Blunt's latest thriller Like, Follow, Die: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/ashley-kalag... @austcrimefiction.org #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Like Follow Die by Ashley Kalagian Blunt, reviewed by Karen Chisholm in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 23

"explores the intersection of gambling, AI, and politics in a masterful thriller that keeps you guessing." Viv Ronnebeck reviews JP Pomare's new Vince Reid thriller, The Gambler: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/jp-pomare-th... #thrillers #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book The Gambler by JP Pomare, reviewed by Viv Ronnebeck in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 20

ICYMI this week's reviews: the uncanny, the magical, and the lost: Ann Skea on Angela O'Keeffe's Phantom Days Amelia Dudley on Mary E Pearson's Bristol Keats duology Robert Goodman on Johanna Bell's Department of the Vanishing Find them at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Phantom Days by Angela O’Keeffe, The Courting of Bristol Keats and The Last Wish of Bristol Keats by Mary E Pearson, and Department of the Vanishing by Johanna Bell.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 18

"a grand experiment in multi-media storytelling .. dense with information about the extinction threat to Australia’s birds." Robert Goodman reviews Johanna Bell's verse novel Department of the Vanishing: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/johanna-bell... #AustralianAuthors #ClimateFiction #BookSky 💙 📚

Image of cover of book Department of the Vanishing by Johanna Bell, reviewed by Robert Goodman in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 17

"a series that is at once dark, hopeful and as full of bitter irony as it is full of love." Amelia Dudley reviews Mary E Pearson's fantasy duology The Courting of Bristol Keats and The Last Wish of Bristol Keats: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/mary-e-pears... #Duology #FantasyFiction #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books The Courting of Bristol Keats and The Last Wish of Bristol Keats by Mary E Pearson, reviewed by Amelia Dudley in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 16

"Angela O’Keeffe makes all her characters interesting and there is an element of uncertainty and suspense, and sheer oddity, that makes this book compelling." Ann Skea reviews Angela O'Keeffe's new novel Phantom Days: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/angela-okeef... #AustralianAuthors #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Phantom Days by Angela O’Keeffe, reviewed by Ann Skea in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 13

ICYMI this week's reviews: Braham Dabscheck on John Keane's Demagogues and Despots Sandra Hogan on Antoun Issa's Rebirth: A love story from the depths of war Naomi Manuell on Ann Patchett's new novel Whistler Find them all at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Demagogues and Despots by John Keane, Rebirth by Antoun Issa and Whistler by Ann Patchett.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 11

"An affection for old-school publishing is evident in Whistler ... a sweet, gentle story of reconnection and love ... Patchett’s prose is as masterful as ever." Naomi Manuell reviews Ann Patchett's new novel Whistler: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/ann-patchett... #AnnPatchett #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Whistler by Ann Patchett, reviewed by Naomi Manuell in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 10

As Lebanon is again torn by war, Antoun Issa recounts his mother’s experience of the Civil War of the 1970s. "Issa’s story overflows with tenderness and gratitude for his mother." Sandra Hogan reviews @antounissa.bsky.social's Rebirth: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/antoun-issa-... #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of cover of book Rebirth by Antoun Issa, reviewed by Sandra Hogan in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 9

"Keane is warning us of what lies ahead if we do not defend democracy...The choice is ours.' Braham Dabscheck reviews John Keane's Demagogues and Despots: Democracies on the brink: newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/john-keane-d... @professorjkeane.bsky.social @newsouthpublishing.bsky.social #BookSky 💙 📚

Image of cover of book Demagogues and Despots by John Keane, reviewed by Braham Dabscheck in the Newtown Review of Books.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 6

ICYMI this week's reviews: Robert Goodman on Ray Nayler's new novel Palaces of the Crow Karen Chisholm on Jill Johnson's latest Eustacia Rose mystery, Bella Donna. Find them both at newtownreviewofbooks.com.au @writerjilljohnson.bsky.social @austcrimefiction.org #BookReviews #BookSky 💙 📚️

Image of covers of books Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler, and Bella Donna by Jill Johnson.

Newtown Review of Books@newtownbooks· Jun 4

"Professor Eustacia Rose is a very complicated person to be around.. even as she proves herself again to be an intuitive solver of crimes" Karen Chisholm reviews Jill Johnson's Bella Donna newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/jill-johnson... @writerjilljohnson.bsky.social @austcrimefiction.org #BookSky 💙 📚️