Books Reviews
Let us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Another great novel from the exceptional Jesmyn Ward and the opening line sets the pace:
"The first weapon I ever held was my mother's hand."
Annis and her mother are enslaved on a plantation.
When her mother is sold off and they are separated, not long after she is sent to a chain gang, moving from North Carolina to Louisiana. This section is long and arduous. It has taken some criticism, but Ward always delivers reality. Her words are smooth and poetic. Annis dreams wildly and heavily about her mother, and where she may be. The story takes many twists and turns and whilst quite brutal at times - this was Wards intent - there is hope and humour laced within.
Jesmyn Ward is easily one of the best young African American writers writing today. I always look forward to her next book.
Orbital: a novel by Samantha Harvey
A marvellous novella, set in one day in space where much happens. It follows each astronaut on their routine for that particular day. The space of space is momentous as you read. The simplicity of their everyday routines against this epic backdrop of numerous days in one is a revelation. Samantha creates such an atmospheric novella, and a meditative experience. This is one of those beautiful stories where nothing seems to happen, but yet everything is happening. You can see why it won The Booker.
A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle
I really enjoyed this Australian novel about finding yourself. It is a difficult one to write about without major spoilers. It tells two stories simultaneously, about 2 queer girls. One who is found by her parents in the back shed with another girl at 15, beatings are had, and she runs away never to return. Her life is full of twists and turns, but ultimately she is living as herself. The other young girl keeps her queerness to herself, and lives a good but hidden life for 30 years. The stories intertwine and are interesting and as you move through you start to wonder if this is as it appears, is it about 2 different characters or...well, that would be a spoiler. Highly recommend.
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
4th in the Thursday Murder Club series. I continue to enjoy these romps with our four main characters, seniors solving murders. When their friend, the antique dealer is murdered, they must try and solve it. The world of these books continues to grow, as does the depth of the characters. Things get dark in this one, but it is still a great read with humour interlaced.
Tilda is Invisible by Jane Tara
Tilda is middle aged, has adult children and is divorced. When she literally starts to disappear she realises she needs to make some changes in her life. This was fun, if you delve too far into it you noticed the clunkiness, the flaws, and the annoying bits, but reading it about the surface, you laugh and have a bit of an escape.
Killing Time by Alan Bennett
This is a short novella about a nursing home in lockdown. As always Bennett, now in his 90s, is sharp and witty and honest and bold.
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
They say truth is stranger than fiction, and no more than The Art Thief. This is the true story of a young couple who stole a lot of art from galleries and museums. They retell the story to the author who tells it in his own words. It is a fascinating look into how poorly galleries and museums are set up, especially the small ones. And how brazen people can be. It was a page turner like a thriller novel, except this was real. I really enjoyed this one.
The Season on talking book read by HG
I have reviewed this gem before but when the spoken word version, with Helen herself reading it, came through at work I had to listen to it. Listening to Helen read her story is better than reading it yourself. Her tone, inclination, and subtle humour shines through.
The Shadow Box by Jean Kent
Lovely poetry set against the Parisian backdrop by local poet Jean Kent.
Unveiled: a memoir by Vincent Fantauzzo
Vincent Fantauzzo is a great portrait artist, his amazing portrait of Daniel Johns won the Packing Room prize at The Archibald, and he has submitted many to the competition, but never won. HIs memoir tells the tale of his tragic childhood and how art saved him. A fascinating insight into the art world and the man himself.
Dare I Say It: everything I wish I'd known about menopause by Naomi Watts
I have reading much about Menopause lately so this didn't really tell me anything different. But this is totally worth reading, it is smart and intelligently informative. Each chapter has a little recap which is great. Naomi has been advocating for Menopause knowledge and understanding for ages now, probably one of the few celebrities really putting this out there. She seems genuinely concerned. Worth a look if you need this.
Film Reviews
Strange Way of Life
A Pedro Almodovar short film, 31 minutes, staring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal as cowboy lovers. A strong and powerful film but I wanted more.
EO
EO is about a donkey who is travelling through its world in Modern Europe, it get moved by humans, ill-treated, escapes and goes on its own journey. Basically a story about the inhumane some animals are treated. It was pretty full on.
Fun Mum Dinner
I watched this for Toni Collette, Bridget Everett, and Molly Shannon. Look, it was a silly comedy with a very boring script, but seeing these wonderful gals on screen was joyous.
Mafia Mamma
Toni Collette finds she is summoned to her Italian roots after her grandfather dies, only to find she is now head of a mafia family. Look, this was ok, a bit of fun, but nothing too deep. Collette is always good in anything she does, despite a dodgy script.
Television Reviews
Severance S1
We started watching this when it first came out and found it a bit heavy going. When we returned to it some time later we were hooked. It is hard to write about without spoilers. It is one of the best shows I have ever seen. We watch as Adam Scott turns up to work and find out he has been 'severed' and leading essentially two lives. One at home where he doesn't know what he does for work and one at work where he has no recollection of his life outside of work. This is something you can do, but why? What is the organisation that does this, who is running the show and why are there glitches. Absolutely compelling viewing, very dark comedy interweaved with intense drama.
The cast is phenomenal with Scott being joined by John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, Zach Cherry, and a bunch of amazing unknowns. The stand out being Tramell Tillman as their stitched up boss Milchick. Also visually exquisite, this show is unlike anything you have ever seen. We devoured it and have many many theories!
The White Lotus S3
This definitely was the weak link in the chain of this series. Nothing really happened until the very end and then it was predictable. As always there were no redeeming characters, but that is ok. I was just bored by this one.
The Handmaid's Tale S5
I am way behind on this series, mostly as I need to garner up the courage to watch it. It can be difficult, this picks up after the wonderfully gruesome ending to S4 and we follow June back into Canada. But life on the outside isn't great without her daughter or Gillead still operating. I do love this show but boy, it can be rough.
The Newsreader S3
As we head into the 80s, the demons of our lead characters are breaking through the cracks. The news covers The Logies, Oil Spills, and the Berlin Wall amongst other news. There are triumphs and some comeuppances! This is so well produced, the set design, hair and makeup and so forth, you are truly transported.
Documentary Reviews
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Great doco about how Led Zeppelin formed and came to be. Loads of music, interviews, excess, and humble brags...exactly as you would expect. It was a great watch.
Little Richard: I am everything
This is a little underrated gem, much like Little Richard himself. Such a showman, such a tragic character. It follows his trajectory and interviews loads of musicians, most of whom explain what they stole from him.
John Water's moustache is because he loved Little Richard, Elvis called him The King, Mick Jagger watches him and realised you can use the entire stage and not stand in one spot to sing.
I covers his dark years after his car accident and his triumph of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a special documentary, and well worth watching.
Posts
