JUNE REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

The Love That Remains by Susan Francis – I saw Susan at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival online this year talk about her memoir and was mesmerised by her story and very keen to read the book. In the meantime I also stumbled across her Conversations podcast. I finally got a chance to read it and devoured it in one sitting. It is the story of a recent time in her life where she is tracking her birth parents and also meets the love of her life. Both stories are remarkable and a good example of truth is stranger than fiction. It is difficult to talk about this memoir without spoilers. Susan marries her great love and they move to live in Spain for a year but life can be strange and twisted. This is where the story gets intense and can pack quite a punch. But it is told so well and with such fierce beauty, you just want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Susan lives in Newcastle and should be so proud of this book, it is an incredibly brave thing to put your life our there as she has. I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Here We Are by Graham Swift - this is a three-way love story set in the 1950s in Brighton. Jack and Ronnie are friends. Jack is the MC of a vauldeville show at Brighton Pier. Ronnie is a magician. Jack persuades Ronnie to find a partner for his show. He finds Evie. They get engaged and yet Evie ends up married to Jack. The story skips around what happened and indeed Ronnie's show until the end. It is beautifully written and has you turning the page with interest. Whilst it is a love story it is more about Ronnie and his removal as a child from The Blitz and London - as many children were - and how he survived. This was such an enchanting novel, I really loved it.

Where’d you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple – I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled with it. I didn’t hate it but it really just wasn’t for me. I am not a fan of books filled with letters or emails etc as this is. I disrupts the flow of the prose and makes it disjointed and annoying to read. I didn’t really like many of the characters ‘reporting’ on Bernadette and found the premise overblown. I get there was a lot of gossip about the main character for her differences, and it may seem like a clever way to record that, but it just annoyed me. The plot is Bernadette was a famous architect (now this part of the plot I LOVED, and wanted more, but they glossed over it, sigh) who peaked early and then had a breakdown, hidden away in suburbia, she decides to flee her life after a long set of convoluted circumstances. You know she flees because there was a lot of media hype (usually a sign a book is not going to be for me) about it.  This doesn’t happen until way into the book, by this stage I could not have cared less.  Sorry to those that loved this, it is just not my type of book.

Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner - to me, this was almost the same book as Bernadette. Given I read them back to back, this didn't make me love Fleishman anymore than I did Bernadette. This needed a solid edit, it dragged on a bit, and similarly to Bernadette the main female character was the most interesting part but they didn't feature that much. These kind of family melodramas or airporty novels just are not my cup of tea.

Generation Friends: an inside look at the show that defined a television era by Saul Austerlitz – I would never call myself a fan of Friends, but I realised reading this book I would have watched almost every episode and enjoyed many of them. Many also irritated me. The book didn’t tell me anything that new, but if you are a fan and you want a walk down memory lane this is for you.

What is it All but Luminated: notes from an undergound man - Art Garfunkel - this is a memoir unlike I have ever experienced. Beautifully arranged, out of order and including stunning poetry, lists of music and book and things. And of course stories of his life, personal and as a musician and actor. Presented in short snippets, it is an easy read and a delight to read.

Songs by Don Walker – His words are ingrained in many of us. Their beauty, their rhythm, enrichening and delving into our soul. This is a collection of his stunning lyrics with his thoughts added here and there. I may have sung some of them out loud.

Mother, Sister, Husband, Dog by Delia Ephron - this was a selection of essays by Delia, sister of Nora. Delia is an accomplished writer and essay writer, not quite in the stratosphere, but still worthy of a read. It opens with a stunning tribute to Nora, which will make you laugh and cry. High recommend.

Booked: a traveler’s guide to literary locations around the world by Richard Kreitner – this was a travel guide to all the places your favourite books are set in. Divided by country it features a fascinating range of books, including Harper Lee, Stephen King, Maya Angelou, Jack Kerouac, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Proust, Stieg Larsson, Tolstoy, Haruki Murakami, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Biblio-Style: how we live at home with books by Nina Freudenberger – this is the most stunning coffee table type book about personal libraries. The photography is exquisite and orgasmic! I was utterly swooning reading this book. Each library had words about the people who own it and why they collected the titles they did, arranged them etc. There were some small actual libraries but it was mostly personal libraries and my goodness, I was very smitten.

The Trouble with Women Artists: reframing the history of art by Laure Adler and Camille Vieville – this was quite an eye opener. I can probably count the female artists I know on my hands and this was a lovely coffee table book with a couple of pages on about 60 amazing artists. Quite a lot of early artists too, amazing. I particularly loved Eva Gonzales who studied with Manet and Mary Beale who was the first female portrait painter in England (mid 1600s). Sonia Delaunay was a Fauvist with Picasso. It was lovely to read about these trailblazers.

Women in Design: From Aino Aalto to Eva Zeisel by Charlotte Fiell and Clementine Fiell  - I knew a lot more than I thought I would here, mostly fashion designers. There was a lot of amazing furniture designers too, some architects and ceramics etc. Again, this was a lovely coffee table style book that was lovely to look through and read about these remarkable women

Love is strong as death: poems chosen by Paul Kelly – this was a huge tome I dipped in and out of and chock full of wonderful poetry. It features then usual suspects; Shakespeare, Keats, Homer, Thomas, Donne, Cummings, Blake, Eliot, Plath, Milton, Shelley, Whitman, Byron, and Rossetti. Loads of Australian; Dawe, Murray, Paterson, Wright, Slessor, Harwood, and Larkin. Indigenous poetry, lyrics by Archie Roach and Kev Carmondy. And much, much more. If you love poetry, you’ll love this collection, if you are unsure about poetry this is a great place to start.

When Life is Not Peachy: real-life lessons in recovery from heartache, loss and tough times by Pip Lincolne – sometimes you need to have a refresher on some of these important life skills. Not to be so tough on yourself, and to remember whilst bad happens, a lot of good does too. To refresh all the tools in your mental health and happiness tool box, to add a few more. To remember you are loved and appreciated and to look for the small moments of joy in life. I’ve been ok, but it has been a tough year, so this was a good and timely read.

Planet Earth: inspirations and thoughts from a planet warrior by Bob Brown – this is a lovely book of quotes and thoughts and words about our Planet Earth from the beautiful Bob Brown. It is eloquent and soulful and feels like a warm hug.

Havana: A subtropical delirium by Mark Kurlansky - a fascinating read on the history of Havana, Cuba. It's dark days of slavery and constant civil unrest through to Castro. It is also a social history, including movies and books and music. A travelogue, as the writer has visited there many times and includes recipes and drawings and snippets from other books. Quite a mis-mash of information much like the country and city itself.

The Art of Flaneuring: how to wander with intention and discover a better life by Erika Owen – I have been a Flaneur – or  Flaneuse – for as long as I can remember, before I realised there was a term for it. When I realised there was a word for it, and a French one at that, as a Francophile I was super chuffed! So a flaneur wanders with no real direction in terms of destination but takes in what they see. It could be historical references, nature, architecture, people, the clouds, things you see. Yes, it is still walking and exercise but it has a more interesting purpose. I love Flaneuring in a big city, wandering, looking at the architecture, finding little hidden gems, outdoor art, coloured doors, interesting people and so one. I can walk for hours doing that. This book delves in to the basics of being a Flaneur, nothing I didn’t know but it made me smile to know other like souls are out there doing similar things.

I know this to be True: on sincerity, compassion, and integrity by Waleed Aly - this is a lovely and fascinating insight into Aly's mind. He answers a whole range of questions on his life, morals, religion, politics etc. It was so very well answered and thought out. What an amazing man.

What I've Been Watching

Ride Like A Girl  - we all know the story, the first female to win the Melbourne Cup. I do have issues with horse racing these days. I grew up with it as my grandfather was a SP bookie in his day and we always followed races. Even after he passed, I would still think of him and place a bet but I have not done this for a few years now. This film tells the story of Michelle Payne and her family, a family of horse lovers, racers, strappers etc. Her Mother died when she was a baby and her father brought up her and her other 9 siblings which is rather remarkable. I didn’t know she had had a terrible accident in a race a few years prior to the big race. This is a lovely little biopic, well directed by Rachel Griffiths and it builds the tension nicely. I watched this and just really got involved and very emotional. We all love an underdog story. This is also a great family film and one for young girls to show we can do anything!

Addams Family – I am a huge fan of the original television show and always brace myself when there is a remake. This is an animated version and it is great. Has the right feel and looks wonderful. And creepy and spooky.

Charlie’s Angels – this was a bit of fun, not brilliant but ok.

Knives Out – ooh this was good, not exactly the sort of movie I thought it was. You know who the killer is fairly early on (as such) and it weaves in and out while the detectives catch up. The cast were amazing, but mostly not used well enough. Still I enjoyed this.

Downton Abbey – really this was just an extended version of the tv series, yes the Royal Family visited, but nothing too special plot wise. But oh so lovely to revisit those characters and take in the art and costume design.

Top End Wedding - I loved this great film by Miranda Tapsell, she is such a joy to watch on screen and this lovely romantic comedy about a wedding and family. Stunningly shot in the Territory and outback. A true joy.

Dead Don't Die - I wanted to adore this Jim Jarmusch Zombie film with an all star cast. It was really good, but not great, sadly. But still worth watching for the cast!

Everybody Knows - this is a Spanish film about a kidnapping. Starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. It does drag a bit and at over 2 hrs, could have been a more together 90 minutes films. Twists and turns ensue, but ultimately easy to work out well before the film does.

Glorious 39 - a Stephen Poliakof film set at the beginning of WWII. As a bunch of her male friends and family start to commit suicide, Anne - adopted daughter of a well-to-do family - starts to wonder what is happening. The film moves about in times, but shows the horrifying aspects of war at it's very beginning. 

Inland Empire - this is one of Lynch's more difficult films. Difficult to watch and difficult to understand, but it was my second or third viewing and things started to make a little more sense. I don't really know what to say about this without giving away what very little I know, lol! For super fans only.

Precious - this is a movie that passed me by I am ashamed to say. Wow, what a powerful and beautifully acted film. Precious is a bit of a no-hoper, mostly due to her destructive mother. When she falls pregnant for the second time, her teachers get involved and remove her from her situation and try and set her up with a better life. Devastating and uplifting, this was more than worthy of the attention it got when it came out.

Pride - I loved rewatching this lovely little uplifting gem about a group of gays and lesbians raising money for striking Welsh miners in the mid 80s during Thatcher's regime. Based on a true story, with a great cast, a bond of 2 underdogs is formed. I rewatched it for a lift and to have a look at a young Andrew Scott (The Hot Priest from Fleabag)  who plays one of the older gays (adorably of course) in the film. It was more powerful than I remembered, and solidifying the film is a great performance from Bill Nighy.

Avatar - Ok, I have never seen this film. I am not a fan of James Cameron and when it came out it felt irritated by it all. Anyway, I watched it and really liked it, but I didn't love it. I can see what it was trying to do in terms of race and environment. I loved the characters but found the production tinny and clunky. I am aware it was mostly green screen filmed and I think the movie is poorer for it. But I do think I would have liked it more had I seen it on a big screen.

Greenberg - this was a lovely re-watch. I prefer Ben Stiller in his melancholy state as in this movie. He is house sitting for his more together brother's family house after a stint in a mental institution. He falls in love with the family's nanny, played by the wonderful Greta Gerwig. It is a typical Noah Baumbach film, with interesting characters and a meandering storyline. Love it!

Mapplethorpe – starring Matt Smith at Robert Mapplethorpe this was a very basic movie of his life. I quite enjoyed it and thought Smith didn’t do too bad a job, but it definitely could have been a harsher and more authentic movie than what it was.

Suzi Q – this is a great documentary about Suzi Quattro and I was super impressed. I have always loved her from Countdown and Happy Days and recently saw her live and was pretty blown away by her performance. It tracks her early years singing with her sisters in a 60s style girl band but with that Detroit edge. And then follows her rise, independent and unique and hell bent on making it big, she was remarkable. This is a gritty tale of one determined gal and I loved it. Loads of interviews with girl rockers and guy rockers of the era. This is worth your time.

Run – I was keen to check this one out as I love the main actors, Merritt Weaver and Domhnall Gleeson. I wasn’t sure they would have chemistry but they do. They play ex-lovers who have not been together for many years. When they were together they had a pact that if they were not happy in their life one would text the other run and if the other felt similarly they would respond with Run and meet at Grand Central Station and catch a train across America. And that is how this started, both leaving awkward lives, but do they want to throw it all in for each other. And so the journey begins, and a lot happens on that train ride. It has a real Hitchcock feel, very North by Northwest. Weaver and Gleeson are brilliant and note perfect  and the supporting cast remarkable and great. It is very funny and very dramatic and has a couple of twists to keep things fresh. This is must see tv for sure!

Killing Eve S3 – S2 was nowhere near as good as S1 but still good and I found this season very much hit and miss in parts. There was a great episode where you met Villanelle’s family which was key to her character and her series. It is hard to explain the good and the bad of S3 without spoilers, except to say if you love this show you will still watch it and enjoy it. It is still better than a lot of the dirge out there.

High Fidelity - I love this so very much. I was worried, I will admit. Zoe Kravitz is equal parts cool and equal parts clumsy. i get her so very much it is scary. I always said Rob - as we knew him - was the male version of me and barring the smoking and tatts female Rob kinda is me, shitty relationships and hooked on music all the way. The first season - for the most part - follows the book/film carefully but updated. all the main characters are superb and Rob's 'love' interest perfect. The music - goes without saying - soooo perfect! I sit there and drool, I just want to be in that show, hanging and listening to the music and making up Top 5s. Also huge shoutout to Debbie Harry for guest starring as Rob's muse (Springsteen featured in the book/film). I cannot wait for more.

Insecure S4- this show - it just gets better and better. I adore Issa Rae's Issa so very much. The vibe of the show is so great, it makes me want to go to LA (previously uninterested. There are some amazing tracking shots over the suburbs (a pool in every backyard) and dusk shots of the streets and bars. It is highly romantic in its atmosphere. It is about Issa, her life, her work, her friends and her love life; most of which is usually in flux. This season it appears that Issa is getting her shit together, but her relationship with her best friend Molly is not in good shape. This story arc is so beautifully executed, it is really fascinating to watch. Everything is so clever and smart in this show, I just love it.

Stateless - wow, this was exceptional viewing, Australian Drama at its best. About a fictional refugee camp and the people held within and the staff working there. Very emotional to watch and anger inducing. The treatment of these poor people, who are only escaping untenable situations, is rotten to the core. This was a rough watch but worthwhile.

Deadwater Fell - in a small, peaceful Scottish Village a fire breaks out in a house and a mother and three young children perish. The devastated father is left in hospital after trying to rescue them. It appears the whole family were drugged, who in this little village wanted them all dead. David Tennant stars as the bereaved father. This is a small 4 parter that keeps you hanging on with every twist and turn.

Miriam Margolyes, Almost Australian - Miriam goes Grey Nomad and drives around the country to get to the bottom of what it is to be Australian. Miriam is always entertaining in her very abrupt and honest way. This was great to see, at times cringe worthy - cringe worthy in some of the people she came across - but ultimately very interesting.

What I've Been Listening To

Thanks for the Dance by Leonard Cohen – this is the final album, released posthumously, with many musicians helping Leonard’s son complete the album. It is a very gentle and soothing album, and quite emotional to listen to.

Tell Me Why by Archie Roach -  Stunning double album of reworked classics, some favourites, some new work and just so lovely to listen to his beautiful, haunting voice. This was released to go with his memoir, which I am yet to read. 

Australian Halloween by Youth Group – I really enjoyed their new album, it had a Belle and Sebastian feel to some of the tracks, very bouncy pop!

Womad 2020 – includes a range of acts I saw at Womad, Blind Boys of Alabama, Laura Marling, Ifiqiyya Electrique etc. Nice memories.

Everything is A-OK – Violent Soho  - I haven’t heard much of these guys, but they are thrashy and a bit grungy and I quite enjoyed bopping along to this.

Future Nostalgia – Duo Lipa – I really like this chick, sassy and cool, great pop, funky and jazzy in parts. Well worth a listen.

American Standard - James Taylor – this is a lovely album of standards, show tunes etc and they work really well in Taylor’s folk stylings. Lazy Sunday afternoon listening at it’s best.

The Sweetest Taboo – Katie Noonan – this is really gorgeous and soulful and operatic as you can only expect from Katie. She covers a range of favourite tunes, including True Colours, Don’t Dream It’s Over, Take On me and many more. I really really loved this one.

The Dangerous Age – this is a collaboration between Kate Ceberano and Steve Kilbey, with Sean Sennett and it is utterly divine. Definitely the best thing either have done in a long while. Beautifully produced and has a real golden and lush sound and feel.

Podcasts

Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette are great friends, who would have known!? and thus a great, fun chat on her podcast.

Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda - did a special Covid catch up with Lorette Swit and Mike Farrell and it is everything you would think it would be. Utterly delightful chatter between very good and close friends. These guys have been close since the show - most of the cast have - and you can hear it in their voices. They spoke about the real heroes in hospitals and as pretend heroes on hospitals felt they needed to help in whatever way they could. Brilliant!

Michael Moore and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd are great friends and had a long chat on Moore's podcast about politics and music and everything in between. Utter brilliance.

Strong Songs  did God Only Knows, one of the most perfect songs you can hear and it was brilliant to listen to.

Unspooled  has been podcasting about the top 100 AFI Films and are up to the last 5. They did one of my favourite films, Chaplin's Modern Times and I was in heaven hearing 90 minutes on Chaplin and silent film. It is a film that still, sadly, holds up today. They also did an outstanding review of Streetcar Named Desire. Both are just brilliant, perfect films and our podcasters agreed.