JUNE REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

Son of the Brush by Tim Olsen - Tim Olsen is the son of National Treasure, John Olsen, and this is his story of their life. I say their life as it is as much about John as it is Tim. It is a straight narrative auto-biography and a fabulous read. The book goes into the back story of both his parents, but just enough for context. There are great stories of his upbringing and childhood with his sister, Louise, of Dinosaur Designs. Idyllic and privileged, but fascinating. But there was also the downside, being bullied for being John's son. As Tim gets older he is drinking a lot, and trying to work out what to do with his life. He tries painting but falls into art dealing. Tim's life is lived large, and over-the-top, it is up and down, as is his relationship with his father, which constantly shadows everything he does.

Son of the Brush is not only an insight into the family of Australia's most famous living artist, but an insight into the Australian art world. And that is absolutely mesmerising. I couldn't stop reading this book. There are so many amazing stories within. When Tim and his sister have dinner with Paloma Picasso and discuss being the children of famous artists. Or Paul Simon and Brian Eno dropping by Tim's gallery to purchase a piece. Tim's relationship with other artists like Brett Whiteley. The book is also about Tim's recovery from addiction and his reconciliation and acceptance of his father. I cannot recommend this highly enough. One of the best books I have read in ages.

Midnight Library by Matt Haig - this is a big favourite and best seller right now. Haig has mostly written non-fiction, self-help and memoir style books up until now. Midnight Library is fiction but definitely a follow on from his previous work. Nora is struggling, with her cat dying, her job lost, her best friend overseas, and no love life, and estranged from her family. SHe decides to end her life by overdosing one evening. She wakes up in a literal fog and sees a large building, it is The Midnight Library. She is in purgatory. The Library is endless and full of books that depict all the versions of her life. Endless sliding doors stories. The librarian guide her through these versions. One by one, Nora chooses books and finds herself in these alternate lives, wondering whether she should have made different decisions. Whilst some of this sounds dark - and it is

Fathoms: the world in the whale by Rebecca Giggs- after a Humpback Whale strands itself on the authors local beach, she become fascinated by the giant creatures and what they encounter in the depths. She is convinced they hold 'the guts of the world'. And quite literally they do, the rubbish we dump. Fathoms goes into the history of whales and whaling, each type of whales, and the fact there are whales so rare and rarely seen they do not even have a name. She looks into what cultures revere whales and which ones need them for survival. How they migrate and mate and sing and communicate. Pretty much, everything you have ever wanted to know about whales, and then some, is within this remarkable book. It is quite dry at times, but mostly it is lovely and entertaining with it's fascinating information. I really enjoyed this one.

What I've Been Watching

Call the Midwife S10 -  this show never gets old, the storytelling is so important historically. They do such a lovely job of recreating birth and medical stories of the time. The characters are like old friends, evolving but there. It is a comfort show for sure. At the end of this 10th season, there was a little documentary about the show with interviews with the actors, and they were all lovely and as you would imagine. Some of the 'older' actors that play the older nuns, are not so old at all. My favourite is Sister Monica Joan, always a little left of centre and amusing, if they do anything to her character you will never hear the end of it, lol!

A Fish Called Wanda - back to re-watching faves on a Saturday night with Andrew and this holds up beautifully. One of the very few laugh out loud comedies, this is due to the superb cast, most of all Michael Palin and Kevin Kline, the later is totally underrated as an actor, although he did win an Oscar for this role. Cleese and Curtis are divine together, before this movie if you had seen that on paper you wouldn't believe it. Cleese is actually a great straight man, he should take on more acting. A classic script with many wonderful one liners. This is comedy at it's best!

Barton Fink - another rewatch, one of my favourite from The Coen Brothers. Set in Hollywood, a writer, the utterly brilliant John Tuturro, is suffering writer's block when he takes on a job writing for the studios. It is summer, and they show the repressive heat so beautifully in the stifling hotel, with the pealing strips of wallpaper. Turturro meets an actress, Judy Davis, and falls in love with her, but she is with an abusive studio head. John Goodman arrives at the hotel and is quite the revelation. His character is so beautifully built, it is one of his finest roles. This is a comedy, but a dark/black one. It is witty more than laugh out loud funny, but enjoyable all the same.

Wakefield- this was a superb Australian drama set in a mental institution in the Blue Mountains. It follows various workers and residents, often given the same scene different points of view. The main character is Nik, a psychiatric nurse. He is a kind, hands on, superb nurse, but he is battling demons of his own. Leading up to his sister's wedding, when he is not over his fiance (who is married to someone else and works as a doctor at the institution), and there is something niggling him from his past. Everyone, has their issues and they unfold beautifully throughout the series. The ensemble cast is exceptional, with Mandy McElhinney, Felicity Ward, Dan Wylie, and many more. The soundtrack is also amazing, although you may rethink Come on Eileen. This is a haunting story, but totally worth it, one of the best pieces of Australian storytelling I have seen in many years. Highly recommend. 

Love on the Spectrum - I love this show to bits. It doesn't come without concerns though, I do wonder how many on the show really understand what they are in for. I often see in some of them, deer in the headlights eyes, and it worries me. And at times it feels voyeuristic, but then aren't other dating shows!? Having said that, it is wonderful seeing some familiar faces, like Michael, who I think everyone loves. What a fabulous man! I followed his 'quest' this season and it appeared maybe he found someone similar. But things got weird, I suspect her family stepped in. She pushed back and we were all a little broken hearted. But Michael dusted himself off and will continue his quest as he calls it. I guess this is not for everyone, but I found it had a lot of heart and I love the authenticity it showed.

You Can't Ask That - I always enjoy this show, you learn so much from the people they interview. This season they look at cheaters, OCD, ex-footballers, amputees, lesbians, families of missing persons, Chinese Australians, and adult virgins. The one I found most fascinating and felt the most sympathy for was the ex-footballers, which was quite astounding. And that is the thing, no matter how good we try to be, we often have misconceptions about people, and this show blows it all open! Totally must see TV!

What I've Been Listening to

Ed Kuepper - this is a great compilation of Ed's work and has been on high rotation at Club Cathy. Loved Ed back in the day and haven't listened too him much so was just great to revisit. 

The Replacements, Please to meet me - this was a record store day re-release and wonderful. Also on high rotation.