Two unhappy wives lease an exotic Italian castle for the month of April, with happy results. Mrs Lotty Wilkins is stuck in a rut, dissatisfied with her marriage to Mellersh, a narrow minded solicitor only interested in money. When she runs into Rose Arbuthnot at her ladies' club, she notices she is reading an advertisement for a place to be let, an exotic castle in rural Italy. The furnished castle is on offer for the month of April, its owner the Englishman Thomas Briggs. The two ladies, who are shy of each other, boldly decide to lease the castle and leave their husbands behind (the devout Mrs Arbuthnot is married to Frederick, who to her displeasure writes racey biographies for quick bucks.) They both feel they need a break from their emotionally exhausting work as devoted wives. To minimise expenses, the women decide to advertise for two more ladies to join their group. Lady Caroline, a twenty-eight year old heiress with zero interest in men, or anything in particular, signs on for the April holiday. And lastly there is Mrs Fisher, an older, imperious woman, whose claim to fame is a long list of important literary connections. Upon arrival, all goes to plan. Lotty and Rose find themselves transformed, just as they'd wished, by the beauty of the castle, with its fragrant gardens and sensuously warm weather. The disinterested Lady Caroline mostly keeps to herself, observing the company from afar and making ironic observations. Mrs Fisher remains a hard nut to crack, reserved and difficult, until nearing the end of her stay when events cause her to drop her stony exterior. British writer Elizabeth von Arnim (she was born in Sydney, Australia, moving to England aged three) wrote The Enchanted April (1922) while staying at Castello Brown, a medieval castle located in northern Italy. The book is rich with atmospheric descriptions, of flowers in bloom and delicious, balmy warm weather. Indeed, the castle works like a spell – on the women and reader alike. One longs to stay at the castle, to be also transformed, and feels envious of von Arnim's characters. Despite the text's light, hazy, hallucinatory quality, The Enchanted April is essentially a comedy. It pokes gentle fun at the unfulfilled women, Rose and Lotty, who are divorced from reality, but also gives them a sort of feminist triumph as they manage to subordinate their husbands to their wishes. The impenetrable Lady Caroline and Mrs Fisher, who seem determined to remain unaffected by their surroundings, eventually succumb to the castle's magic too. If there's a writer that comes close to being Jane Austen “light” it's von Arnim. She creates a hypnotically feminine place in the castle and traps everyone within it, passing gentle commentary on her characters with a light, yet sly humour. And like all Jane Austen novels, it ends with happy romantic couplings. A strange yet satisfying mix of comedy and escapism. The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth von Arnim. Published by Penguin. $22.99 Review by Chris Saliba Two experts explain what the Voice to Parliament will and won't do. With cartoons by Cathy Wilcox. Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and former ABC journalist Kerry O'Brien have come together to write this short “handbook” to the Voice to Parliament. They have kept its length short, the idea being to make it easily posted or shared. What do you get inside? It's a mix of personal stories, some history of previous referendums, a calling out of the misrepresentations about the Voice (it won't be a third chamber of parliament) and a section devoted to FAQs. A closing essay from Marcia Langton and Fiona Stanley explains how the Voice will help close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. The final section provides some good tips for spreading the Yes message. What do we learn? The Voice will be a representative body loosely similar to ATSIC (The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission) set up by the Labor Hawke government in 1990, and dismantled by the Liberal Howard government in 2005. The world “loosely” should be stressed. If the Yes vote is successful, then the model could take any form, and change over time, according to legislation. The vexed issue of the Voice's form is really more of a procedural one. The key point is that if the Yes vote is successful, the Voice will be enshrined in the constitution. No government will be able to dismantle the Voice, ensuring continued representation from First Nations people. An accessible explainer and impassioned call to vote Yes. The Voice to Parliament Handbook, by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien. Published by Hardie Grant. $16.99 Review by Chris Saliba How tiny germs made the world as we know it According to Jonathan Kennedy, a teacher in global health, pathogens have played a bigger role in historical events than we give credit for. History's narrative arc is usually described as one of great men and superior civilisations, the world mere putty awaiting the hands of god. But what if it was pathogens – smallpox and malaria for example – that have really given conquering armies their competitive edge? Jonathan Kennedy argues that this is very much the case. From the fate of Neanderthals to the American Civil War, pathogens have played a major role in aiding one side against the other. Societies with no immunity to introduced diseases didn't have a hope. The most famous historical example is the Spanish conquest of the Mexica and Inka Empires. The population was brutally swathed by smallpox, allowing the Spanish victory with only a few hundred soldiers. The mosquito-borne virus yellow fever allowed immune Haitian rebels to win independence from Napoleon's France. French soldiers didn't stand a chance against the virus. Pathogenesis provides example after example of killer diseases changing the course of history. Kennedy even argues the Medieval plague helped kick start the capitalist revolution. By drastically reducing the number of farmers, it gave them more bargaining power and the incentive to maximise profits. Written in lively and engaging prose, and weaving in amusing literary allusions from Genesis to Tolkein, this is a compelling history that will appeal to readers of Sapiens and Guns, Germs and Steel. Pathogenesis, Jonathan Kennedy. Published by Random House. $35 Review by Chris Saliba Anthropolgist David Graeber argues pirate culture laid the foundation stones of The Enlightenment. In this posthumous work, Pirate Enlightenment, or The Real Libertalia, anthropologist and activist David Graeber (1961 - 2020) makes the case that when rogue English pirates in the late 17th and early 18th centuries sought refuge in northern Madagascar, it led to a cultural and political fusion with the Malagasy people that was a forerunner to the Enlightenment. There was much fascination with pirate lore at the time and in 1724 A General History of the Pyrates was published in London (its rumored author was Daniel Defoe). It included a description of an egalitarian Madagascan pirate state called Libertalia. Libertalia was pure fiction, but another Madagascan state, the Betsimisaraka confederation, established in 1712 by the son of a British pirate and Malagasy queen, maintained an egalitarian government for close to 40 years. The historical pirate record is thin on the ground, and Graeber uses the verbs “seems” and “appears” a lot when trying to flesh out his arguments. Even though Pirate Enlightenment is more wish fulfillment than anything else, Graeber’s intellectual energy and curiosity can never be in doubt. A fascinating thought experiment that will have readers scrambling to do additional research of their own. Pirate Enlightenment, or The Real Libertalia, by David Graeber. Published by Allen Lane. $35 Review by Chris Saliba A sensitive story about two damaged souls. A woman has become mute after a series of traumatic personal events. Her mother has recently died, and she has lost a custody battle for her son. The woman (who remains unnamed) takes up a course in classical Greek, exploring how language is used in philosophical works by Plato and Socrates. The Greek teacher (also unnamed) is experiencing trauma of his own. He is slowly losing his sight and is sure to go blind. In a series of flashbacks, he ruminates on past relationships, especially one with an ill woman with whom he has become seriously involved. As the Greek lessons progress, the teacher wonders about his silent student, until an accident in a stairwell brings them together. Han Kang is a South Korean writer, best known to English readers for her 2016 Man Booker International Prize winning novel, The Vegetarian. Greek Lessons (translated by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won) is a 2011 novel by Hang, appearing for the first time in English. It is a compelling story, written in a subtle and introspective voice, examining love, death and trauma. An unforgettable novel that is both melancholic and poetic, one that is rewarded by close reading. Greek Lessons, by Han Kang. Published by Hamish Hamilton. $35 Review by Chris Saliba Stan Grant on the British monarchy, Australia and its legacy of whiteness. Wiradjuri man and author Stan Grant says he wrote his new book, The Queen is Dead, in an explosive burst and in real time, as events unfolded. Despite the quick writing time, there is nothing rushed or rash in Grant's book. This is a deeply considered work with not a word wasted or out of place. When Queen Elizabeth died, Grant expected there would be some discussion of the effect of colonialism and conquest on the lives of First Nations people. While many may have wished to mourn the queen, there should also have been recognition of the terrible legacy of English invasion and occupation. As a Wiradjuri man, Grant felt this personally. When colleagues and friends confessed feeling a sadness, even shedding a tear, over the queen's passing, Grant felt betrayed. Why didn't his friends consider his perspective, or that of his people's? Didn't they know the queen represented hundreds of years of oppression, suffering and violence? The major theme, you could say, of The Queen is Dead is the notion of whiteness. Whiteness as an historical phenomenon and institutional power. A whiteness that is so pervasive, at every level of society, that white people themselves don't see it. They simply see life proceeding as normal. Yet for First Nations people, everyday they are running up against whiteness – at work, in politics, in popular culture. Most importantly, in everyday life, in the endless comments on race, skin colour and heritage. While Stan Grant discusses the large philosophical issues – the weight of history, white ignorance and blindness, how these power structures crush First Nations people – the book has a deep, almost confessional vein. Grant examines his personal emotions, how they swing from hate and resentment to love and forgiveness. These sections are vulnerable and brave in trying to get across the truth of the author's experience and feelings. They make for humbling reading. Stan Grant brings his formidable mix of intellect, passion and truth-telling to a subject many may want to turn away from. Uncomfortable reading, but essential. The Queen is Dead, by Stan Grant. Published by 4th Estate. $34.99 Review by Chris Saliba An expert on American politics entertains the possibility of a second Trump term. What would happen to Australia should Donald Trump win a second term as president of the United States? Such a situation seems an impossibility, yet the same was said for Trump’s 2016 election win. As author and political adviser Bruce Wolpe states, US politics is so volatile and divisive, anything is possible. Trump’s Australia suggests a triumphant second Trump term could embolden extreme right-wing elements at home, but ultimately pulls back from this argument. Instead, Wolpe asserts that Australia's democratic institutions—such as mandatory voting, the independence of the Australian Electoral Commission—ensure our politics doesn't become polarised. A further bulwark against radicalism is the prominence of the national broadcaster, the ABC, ensuring a trusted outlet for quality news reporting. For the most part, Trump’s Australia provides a recap of Trump's time in office and his attitude to policy areas such as China, North Korea, climate, health, race, free trade and abortion rights. It features extensive interviews with former government officials, insiders and experts, giving the text a breadth of interesting opinion. In essence, Wolpe (a former adviser to the Gillard government) contrasts US and Australian democracy, and finds our system to be much more resilient. This book is a stark reminder of how catastrophic a second Trump term would be, questioning how Australia would respond on a range of policy fronts. Politicians and engaged citizens should take note. Trump's Australia: How Trumpism Changed Australia and the Shocking Consequences for Us of a Second Term, by Bruce Wolpe. Allen & Unwin. $34.99 Release date 20th June, 2023. Review by Chris Saliba This review first appeared at Books + Publishing Nineteen intricate and nuanced stories about the experiences of First Nations Australians. Western Australian writer Archie Weller has published novels, poetry and short stories. His novel The Day of the Dog was made into the film Blackfellas. His 2009 short story collection, The Window Seat, is here republished as part of the First Nations Classics series. Weller is a versatile writer and the 19 stories presented here cover many styles and genres, from mystery and crime to dystopian, futuristic themes. For the most part, Weller's fiction examines the difficulties of growing up mixed-race and Aboriginal: the prejudice, low expectations and bullying by police. There are also stories that explore Indigenous culture and spirituality. While Weller often describes the brutal facts of life for First Nations people – violence, stints in jail, wrongful arrest, racism – his evocations of land, wildlife and country are beautiful and ornate. Weller also has a good ear for dialogue which brings his characters vividly to life. These are stories firmly rooted in personal experience, providing a unique perspective on Australian life. A special mention must go to the collection's title story "The Window Seat", which rivals Guy de Maupassant's "Boule de Suif" for its brilliance at exposing hypocrisy and moral vacuity. An elderly Aboriginal woman is taking a final bus ride home, but the white man who must sit next to her is full of resentment and racist thoughts. When he later discovers something about the woman, his smug moral universe is turned upside down. A fine collection that explores a side of Australia rarely seen. The Window Seat, by Archie Weller. Published by Queensland University Press. $19.99 Released May 30, 2023 Ruby Langford Ginibi's classic memoir is a no holds barred story of pain, joy and survival As part of its new series of First Nations Classics, University of Queensland Press is re-publishing Ruby Langford Ginibi's acclaimed memoir Don't Take Your Love to Town (1988). Langford Ginibi, a Bundjalong woman, was born in 1934 and raised in the small New South Wales town of Bonalbo. Her mother left the family when she was six, to marry another man. By age 16 Ruby was pregnant and she would go on to have nine children by several fathers. These relationships started out good, but would eventually turn sour, ending in either neglect or abuse. Langford Ginibi, in wiser old age, would swear off men, hence the book's title. Tragically, three of her children died, causing her years of grief – and a drinking problem that she finally kicked. It's hard to understate how extraordinary a memoir this is. Langford Ginibi, viewed as a character on the page, is a mix of Chaucer's Wife of Bath and Brecht's Mother Courage, a woman of irrepressible life force and a tough survivor. She is a workhorse providing for her brood, living rough in outback tents and killing her own food. She brawls and drinks, would give you the shirt off her back if asked and raises a glass to life despite its endless hardships, especially for First Nations people. At 400 pages long, there is never a dull moment in Don't Take Your Love to Town, as it chronicles a life lived to the fullest. Despite the vein of pain and suffering that runs through the book, Langford Ginibi is also very funny. She has an ironic turn of phrase and delightfully blunt sense of humour that gives her story heart and humanity. An incredible memoir, an incredible life lived. Indeed, a classic. Don't Take Your Love to Town, by Ruby Langford Ginibi. Published by Queensland University Press. $19.99 Released May 30, 2023 A retired schoolteacher is found in the Atlantic Ocean with twenty deflated balloons. Professor William Waterman Sherman is a retired school teacher. He decides to take a leisurely balloon trip, departing from the city of San Francisco. His balloon is somewhat of a luxury one, as it carries a basket the size of a small house, fitted out with the basic necessities for comfortable living. The trip goes well, with the Professor flying over the Pacific Ocean, until some seagulls start pecking at his balloon. He crashes to earth and finds himself on the volcanic island of Krakatoa. It is there he meets a certain Mr F, who introduces him to the unusual inhabitants of the island. Twenty families reside there, living on what they term a “restaurant economy”, equally sharing cooking responsibilities and making sure the cuisine is always varied and delicious. The most extraordinary aspect of the island is the revelation that it contains a diamond mine, with enough diamonds to make all the island's residents multi-millionaires. However, there is a sting in the tail of this apparent good fortune. The full diamond value can't be realised because if they were all sold on the world market it would chronically depreciate their value. The residents spend their days in pleasant pursuits, and have invented some interesting technologies of their own. One charming novelty they have created is a merry-go-round which is suspended with balloons. Another invention involves a huge suspended platform – again with balloons, twenty in all – that is to be used in case of a volcanic eruption, when a speedy getaway for Krakatoa's residents would be required. When the Professor is later found mysteriously floating in the Atlantic Ocean, he is rescued and presents a talk at the Western American Explorers' Club about his experiences. William Pene du Bois published The Twenty-One Balloons in 1947, with illustrations by himself. The book soon went on to win an award, the Newbery Medal. It's an exciting and innovative adventure story, with plenty of amusing contraptions described in minute detail – think TV's Gilligan's Island, but technologically more sophisticated. The novel is well paced and lively (the early scenes describing the gathering excitement as the Professor travels to deliver his speech, from a specially prepared bed to accommodate his fatigue, is especially amusing). A thoroughly enjoyable children's classic full of energy, invention and good cheer. The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene du Bois. Published by Puffin. |
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