Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Garth Greenwell’s What Belongs To You

Posted on 20 October 2016 by andyq

What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell My rating: 3 of 5 stars There was a phase in gay fiction where authors (or their fictional stand-ins) seemed to be lauded for writing about their encounters with poor, rough sex workers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Gay Life | Leave a comment

Book Review: Joan London’s The Golden Age

Posted on 12 October 2015 by andyq

The Golden Age by Joan London My rating: 2 of 5 stars I did find the setting and time intriguing, and the idea of a care home for kids with polio and a European immigrant couple adjusting to the New … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Book, Book Review, Review | Leave a comment

Book Review: Carmen Aguirre’s Something Fierce

Posted on 5 September 2015 by andyq

Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter by Carmen Aguirre My rating: 4 of 5 stars On my last visit home to Vancouver, a friend gave me this book; I think he knows the author. When I first became friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Books, Review | Leave a comment

Book Review: Michel Houllebecq’s The Elementary Particles

Posted on 10 November 2014 by andyq

The Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq My rating: 2 of 5 stars When in France… Well, I’d heard about Houellebecq for years but never picked up anything until ‘The Elementary Particles’, much celebrated and much discussed, though I stayed away … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Books, Paris, Review | Leave a comment

Book Review: Roddy Doyle’s Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

Posted on 24 October 2014 by andyq

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle My rating: 2 of 5 stars Sigh. The last time I was suckered into reading a Booker Prize winner and disliked it was Ben Okri’s Famished Road. When I was in university, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Review | Leave a comment

2014 in lists (art, books, entertainment, shows)

Posted on 31 May 2014 by andyq

Aha. New organisational system for 2014… Rather than continue to add to the same big posts of shows and concerts I’ve EVER seen, I’ve organised the old lists into separate archival posts either by the year, or before that… And … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Books, Concert, Review, Theatre/Show | Leave a comment

Book Review: Camilla Gibb’s Mouthing the Words

Posted on 18 February 2014 by andyq

Mouthing the Words by Camilla Gibb My rating: 3 of 5 stars Funny. I’ve had a couple of books that are taking me ages to read. But I found a copy of Camilla Gibb’s Mouthing the Words in a crazy … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Leave a comment

2013 in lists (art, books, entertainment, shows)

Posted on 11 January 2014 by andyq

The year in concerts, shows (musicals/theatre/dance) and books! CONCERTS Sing the Truth, State Theatre (January) – Welcome 2013. Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright. Quite a triple-bill, but the surprise for me was Lizz Wright. I don’t think I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Book Review, Concert, Film, Music, Review, Theatre/Concert Review, Theatre/Show | Leave a comment

Book Review: Berndt Sellheim’s Beyond the Frame’s Edge

Posted on 23 November 2013 by andyq

Beyond the Frame’s Edge by Berndt Sellheim My rating: 4 of 5 stars I think what’s interesting about a first novel is how you are introduced to a clear set of the author’s concerns. It is perhaps the book they … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Books, Sydney | Leave a comment

Book Review: Tabish Khair’s The Thing About Thugs

Posted on 10 November 2013 by andyq

The Thing about Thugs by Tabish Khair My rating: 5 of 5 stars First and foremost, Tabish Khair’s novel, The Thing About Thugs, is a great read. Both literary and accessible with beautiful writing and colourful characters, it’s well worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Leave a comment