Category: Reviews
By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie – Book Review
I vaguely remembered reading this Tommy & Tuppence novel many years ago and not being very impressed with it, but after suffering through Postern of Fate (the undisputed low point of my Christie re-readathon) I was probably inclined to view just about any other book in a favourable light. This is not to say that it lacks real merits; while rather uneven and hardly one of Christie’s most elegantly executed mysteries, there’s a strong sense of cosy-yet-sinister atmosphere about the novel that I failed to appreciate first time around.
Nomadland – Film Review
A gentle, compassionate and intimate portrait of life on the road and the society’s margins, led by another masterful performance from Frances McDormand.
New Music 04/2021 – Lana Del Rey, Dead Can Dance, Triple J’s Hottest 100 Volume 28
Lana Del Rey finally makes a great album; a catch up with the latest from my favourite otherworldly duo; a musical snapshot of the year 2020 according to Triple J.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – Book Review
Margaret Atwood returns to the dystopian world of Gilead in this addictive sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, which perhaps falls short of greatness but still offers a worthy follow-up.
Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie – Book Review
You know you’re reading the worst Christie novel ever when you start wishing you were reading The Big Four or Passenger to Frankfurt instead, which I previously regarded as her absolute worst mysteries. It was hard to imagine that any other book of hers could usurp the top spot on the rubbish heap, but this messy, confused and terminally dull novel managed it.
Vera Blue and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra @ Hamer Hall
After officially breaking the live music drought with the Candlelight concert, I thought I’d take a chance on this collaboration between the Australian songstress and the MSO.
Cats – Film Review
I don’t mean the 2019 uncanny valley abomination everyone loves to dump on, though it indirectly inspired me to check out the 1998 filmed stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-musical.
One Day by David Nicholls – Book Review
