Category Archives: Non Fiction

May 2, 2024 · 9:58 am

Hitchens Vs Blair: Be it Resolved Religion is a Force for Good in the World

Transcript of a debate on religion between Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair

Many years ago, when I was still studying law at university, I did a legal internship course. The course convener and I became quite friendly and from time to time he would send me articles and things he thought might interest me. Some years after the course, he gave me this book. It hadn’t really captured my interest; while I enjoy debating I am not especially interested in British politics or religion, and this book must have been sitting on my shelf for over a decade. However, last year, when I was doing my Short Stack Reading Challenge, I added this one to my reading pile and I finally managed to read it.

Photo is of “Hitchens Vs Blair: Be it Resolved Religion is a Force for Good in the World”. The paperback book is resting on a wooden lectern. The cover is of two white men facing in opposite directions. There is also the text “THE DEBATE OF OUR TIME”.

“Hitchens Vs Blair: Be it Resolved Religion is a Force for Good in the World” is a transcript of a debate between author Christopher Hitchens and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair that took place in 2010 as part of the Munk Debates. The two speakers take turns debating whether religion has a net positive on the world, with Hitchens arguing no and Blair arguing yes.

It’s an interesting premise for a book, a transcript of a debate. The effect is kind of like reading Hansard. The two master debaters take turns to make their points and rebut one another, and then at the end the audience (and the reader) casts a vote. Hitchens and Blair are both clearly very eloquent speakers and it was interesting to read them both articulating the case for and against religion as an institution. I found this to be kind of like reading a play by play of a sporting match, where the skill is intellect. I did find it interesting (yet depressing) that the impact of religion in the Middle East, particularly Palestine, remains as relevant today as it was over a decade ago.

However, I think a public debate (transcribed or otherwise) ultimately is not the best forum for deciding this question. If you come across this book hoping for an answer to the big question of religion, you won’t find it. While entertaining, I think a debate is far too narrow a form for examining a question so broad and universal. Instead of a comprehensive understanding of all the social, historical, psychological, cultural and spiritual factors at play, it ends up just being discrete points and rebuttals. The audience was said to have changed its mind significantly after the debate, but I’m not sure I’d be convinced either way on any issue debated in this format.

A quick read, but I’m not sure it is better than just watching to the debate itself.

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March 2, 2024 · 10:44 am

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Celebrity autobiography about TV fame, drug addiction and mental health

There have been a lot of celebrity biographies coming out recently, and I’ve listened to Jennette McCurdy‘s and Prince Harry‘s as audiobooks. When I saw that this one had been published, I was pretty interested. Just about everyone has watched the TV show “Friends” (enjoy the now retro Blu-ray trailer!), and the character Chandler was one of the most iconic of the series. When actor Matthew Perry died recently, almost a year after it was published, and it came up on my recommended list, I picked it as my next audiobook.

Image is of the audiobook cover of “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Matthew Perry. The audiobook cover is a portrait photograph of a white man with blue eyes, stubble, ageing skin and greying styled hair. He is looking at the camera with an almost smile. The words ‘A Memoir’ are on the left.

“Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing” written and narrated by Matthew Perry is a frank memoir about his life and how he came to be one of the most famous actors on one of the most watched television shows of all time: “Friends”. Perry writes candidly about his experiences growing up in Canada, the child of two charismatic parents whose marriage ended, and his early forays into acting, alcohol and drug abuse. Perry charts his path to winning the role of Chandler on “Friends”, and how despite his immense professional success, he nevertheless continued to struggle with addiction and mental health issues.

I think one of the best things about this memoir that makes it stand out from others is that despite Perry’s fame, it isn’t ghostwritten. Perry has a humorous, self-deprecating way of writing and pulls the reader in with intimate revelations about himself and his life. One thing that has frequently frustrated me with the memoir genre is authors sharing either not enough or far too much, and I felt like Perry really struck the right balance. As challenging as he clearly was as a person (to others but mostly to himself), self-sabotaging constantly and pushing people away even when he was at his most lonely, he makes the reader feel like a confidante. I enjoyed his narration a lot, though I did find it less clear and articulate than his delivery of lines while he was on TV. I was impressed that despite his own frequent relapses, he nevertheless strove to inspire hope to other people struggling with addiction.

It was a bit of a strange experience listening to this book shortly after the news broke that Matthew Perry had died. It really made me read into what he wrote a lot more. While Perry doesn’t claim to have the answers to addiction, the end of the book certainly suggests he is on an up, and suggests that his own brand of spirituality has helped him. However, I think this book really underlines the message that addiction is a disease, often a lifelong one, and there is no easy cure. Perry wrote a lot about his parents, colleagues and former girlfriends, many of whom witnessed his struggles firsthand, and I did find myself wondering how honest those reflections were. Some seemed a bit rose tinted, some seemed a bit unfair and I found myself wondering how the celebrities mentioned would have received it. I think it’s difficult to criticise something so subjective as what causes a person pain and trauma, but as a reader it is a bit hard to accept things that seem relatively minor when that person enjoys enormous success and wealth and has access to the most expensive and cutting edge treatment available. Perry does come across as one of those people who spends an enormous amount of time self-reflecting, but who never seems to gain any real insight into their behaviours and motivations.

A forthright memoir about privilege, success and struggling with mental health.

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January 7, 2024 · 1:52 pm

Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs

Blend of memoir and culinary history about hot dogs in the USA

I received a copy of this eBook courtesy of the publisher.

Image is of “Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs” by Jamie Loftus. The eBook cover is red with the book title drawn on in yellow mustard.

“Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs” by Jamie Loftus is part memoir, part culinary history about hot dogs in the USA. During 2021, when COVID-19 is at its peak, Jamie, her then-partner, her cat and her dog embark on an ambitious road trip across the country to eat the nation’s most famous hot dogs. Along the way, Loftus explores the history, politics and ethics of this unassuming American food, the world of competitive eating and the limits of her relationship.

This book starts out really strong. Loftus brings a hilarious Gonzo journalism style of writing which is highly entertaining. I really enjoyed learning about some of the darker aspects of the history of the hot dog, including issues around animal welfare, exploitation in food production and the gentrification of what was previously considered a lower socio-economic food. I had high hopes that it would be the kind of fantastic blended genre memoir like “Hare with Amber Eyes” or “H is for Hawk“.

However, like the hot dog eating competitions described throughout this book, what starts out good soon becomes too much and by halfway through the book I was feeling as stuffed full of hot dogs as the competitors. I think the balance tipped a little too far into describing hot dog styles, restaurants and their owners, and the ins and outs of competitive hot dog eating. By the time the book finished, I was well and truly done.

An entertaining if somewhat bloated book about hot dogs.

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January 3, 2024 · 12:40 pm

Victoria the Queen: An intimate biography of the woman who changed the world

Biography of Queen Victoria

I went to a really lovely author event back in 2017 which included an interview with the author, a two-course meal and wine, and received a signed copy of the book, but it took me six years to get around to reading it. To be honest, a big barrier is the size: including endnotes etc. it’s nearly 700 pages long. However, the perfect opportunity arose for me to read it. I was travelling to the UK for my cousin’s wedding, and the wedding ended up being the same day as the King’s coronation. What better time to read a book about an English monarch than when in England during the coronation of the next monarch?

Photo is of “Victoria the Queen: An intimate biography of the woman who changed the world” by Julia Baird. The hardcover book is in focus in the foreground, and with some banners of King Charles’ face on a union jack flag with the words “The Coronation” back to front. The background, out of focus, is a redbrick building with a bright red door.

“Victoria the Queen: An intimate biography of the woman who changed the world” by Julia Baird is a biography of Queen Victoria, the longest reigning British monarch until the late Queen Elizabeth. The book comprehensively covers Victoria’s life from birth until death, providing plenty of historical, political and personal context along the way.

This is a meticulously researched book that draws on an extensive bibliography to explore who Queen Victoria was, how she ruled and the impact she made on Britain and the Commonwealth. The book covers her relationships with Prime Ministers, her husband, her children and, more controversially, her servants. This book is incredibly informative and there is no way to read it and come away without a vastly improved understanding of Victoria’s reign. Having stayed at Gladstone’s Library in Wales (twice!), I did enjoy the chapters about Prime Minister William Gladstone and how little he and Victoria liked each other.

However, ultimately I found this book rather a slog to get through. Baird’s writing, while very clear, was often quite repetitive and many of the chapters, instead of revealing new facets to Victoria’s character, simply reiterated Baird’s findings from earlier in the book. The parts I was especially interested in, her close relationships with employees John Brown and Abdul Karim, were disappointingly brief. I appreciate that Baird wanted to stick to what was contained in what few letters and sources remained after editing and destruction by her daughter Beatrice. However, I think a bit more rumour and speculation would have spiced things up a bit. Then, the parts that I was less interested in, such as Victoria’s relationships with the many prime ministers during her reign, seemed to take up much more space.

For aficionados of political history, this will likely be of considerable interest, however for people like me who are more interested in history that involves storytelling and drama, the book might be a bit dry.

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January 2, 2024 · 7:06 pm

first, we make the beast beautiful: a new story about anxiety

Self-help memoir about coping with anxiety

I don’t usually peruse the non-fiction section at the Lifeline Bookfair, but the cover of this book definitely caught my eye. The hardcover book is a deep blue with striking orange bubbles, and text in silver foil. This has languished on my to-read pile for a long time because I incorrectly assumed it was fiction (it is not), and when I realised it was more self-help/memoir, I lost a bit of interest.

Photo is of “first, we make the beast beautiful: a new story about anxiety” by Sarah Wilson. The hardcover book is sitting inside a black backpack which is resting against a large grey rock. The cover is dark blue with an octopus in lighter blue and neon orange bubbles.

“first, we make the beast beautiful: a new story about anxiety” by Sarah Wilson is part memoir, part self-help book about living with anxiety. Sharing her own personal experiences with mental health diagnoses, medication, therapy and many other strategies for mitigating and managing symptoms, Wilson intersperses her book with tips and tricks that she recommends for others going through similar things.

This is a well-written and frank memoir about the realities and challenges of living with mental illness. Wilson achieves what few memoirs do: a good balance between sharing too much and not sharing enough.

However, ultimately I find self-help books a bit challenging and very rarely read them. I am always a bit skeptical of books that claim to have all the answers. Wilson’s book refers to a considerable amount of research that is available to read via her website, and includes a lot of suggestions that are pretty straightforward and uncontroversial such as exercise and meditation. However, the book also includes a lot of alternative therapies and treatments the science of which, as Wilson says at the beginning of the book, “is often imprecise and conflicting”. The book also ties a lot into Wilson’s existing other work, books recipes, programs and business around quitting sugar. While I’m no nutritionist, blanket cutting out of food from diets isn’t supported by the qualified nutritionists I do follow (e.g. Kate and Emma). I am not judging anyone who wants to explore options for weight loss or manage their anxiety symptoms, but I think some of the suggestions in here should probably be taken with a grain of salt (or, as it happens, sugar).

A well-written book and could be very relatable if you are experiencing anxiety, but I’d encourage you to seek professional advice if you are seeking mental health support.

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December 11, 2023 · 11:10 pm

The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community

True story about the impact of rollerblading on children in the biggest slum in Nairobi, Kenya

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

Image is of “The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community” by Nihar Suthar. The eBook cover is of a group of young children in bright clothes rollerblading on a dirt road beside some ramshackle houses.

“The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community” by Nihar Suthar is a non-fiction book about two friends Daniel and Mutura in Korogocho, the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya, who start a band called the Hope Raisers to try to inspire change in their community. Soon they start involving the local kids in art initiatives, but then one day, after finding a pair of discarded rollerblades, they set up a skating group.

This was a really great book about inspiration and persistence, as well as sharing the reality of living in poverty in Korogocho. I actually was sent this book shortly after I had taken up rollerblading again as an adult, and it was really fascinating reading about their journey learning to skate while I was doing the same thing. However, the difference between my experience and their experience could not have been more stark. One of the parts that stayed with me was that rollerblades and wheels were so difficult to obtain, that instead of skating on four wheels, the Hope Raisers would remove two wheels from each skate and share them between the children. The shortcomings of their equipment becomes even more apparent when some of the young people start competing, but their resilience is unparalleled. I especially loved reading about Lucy whose talent and hard work saw her competing at an international level.

Photo is of a pair of pastel rollerblades taken from a top down view, feet wearing pastel socks and pastel kneepads.

A heart-warming and informative read that is ideal for any rollerblading or rollerskating enthusiast.

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September 26, 2023 · 10:58 pm

Spare

I am in no way a royalist, but with TV shows like The Crown and never-ending news coverage of royal drama, it was a bit hard to avoid hearing about this book. It generated a bit of a media storm when it came out, with plenty of eyebrow-raising quotes being eagerly shared by news outlets – especially those related to Prince Harry’s sex life. Ultimately, it was curiosity that let me to spending a credit on this audiobook.

Image is of “Spare” by Prince Harry. The audiobook cover is a slightly faded portrait photograph of a white man with red hair, blue eyes and a red beard.

“Spare” by Prince Harry, narrated by Prince Harry and ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer is a memoir about growing up third in line to the British throne. In this book, Prince Harry shares pivotal moments in his life including losing his mother Princess Diana as a young boy, serving in the military in Afghanistan, travelling in Africa and meeting his wife Meghan Markle. He also shares his experiences being relentlessly pursued by the media and struggling to find his place in a family where living a normal life is impossible.

This was a surprisingly easy book to listen to. Despite admitting himself that he is no scholar, Prince Harry is a lively, enthusiastic and expressive narrator who threw himself headlong into the task. His early years were particularly interesting, especially seeing the other side of news reports that had branded him a wild child and considering the impact of having adolescent mistakes, that many people could forget and move on from, becoming international news. The most heartbreaking parts of the book were around the loss of his mother, and Prince Harry’s grief and his fury towards the paparazzi ripple throughout. I felt like Prince Harry was very frank about his shortcomings, but equally open about how challenging it was for him as someone who craved being an ordinary sort of man but being unable to live an ordinary life, not even, ultimately, as a soldier. It was abundantly clear that Prince Harry feared the same thing that happened to his mother was going to happen to his wife, and his hatred of the media became more understandable. I was fascinated to read about the rest of the royal family’s complex interactions with the media, particularly the competition for publicity, the leaks coming from inside the house and the symbiotic yet often toxic relationship.

As I have mentioned many times previously, memoir is and continues to be a genre that I struggle with, especially when it comes to finding a balance in how much to share with the reader. There were many parts of this book that were intensely personal, and as a reader left me feeling like I was reading Prince Harry’s private journal. This was especially true for parts of the book that had a slightly more spiritual tone, where Prince Harry interprets certain events as being ‘fate’, or signs of approval from his mother, or messages from the broader universe. I also found myself wondering what the purpose of sharing some of the more intimate details of his life was; whether it was a strategic marketing decision to generate more hype and controversy around the book, or whether because Prince Harry was using the book as a sort of catharsis, processing his life in a very public way. Conversely, I felt like I was left with many questions about his various disputes with other members of the royal family. Despite how the book has been reported, I actually felt like Prince Harry was very circumspect in talking about his family. If the book was intended to be a response to the media’s characterisation of the relationships within his family, I’m not sure it achieved that goal.

A surprisingly entertaining book that at times left me wanting more and at others left me wanting less.

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September 7, 2023 · 9:33 pm

Dirty Little Secrets: A Memoir

Memoir about love, identity, blackmail and living with an acquired brain injury

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

Image is of “Dirty Little Secrets: A Memoir” by Nandita Chakraborty. The eBook cover is of a white globe with buildings from the city of Melbourne against a blue background on top, and buildings from the city of the city of Delhi against a yellow background at the bottom.

“Dirty Little Secrets: A Memoir” is a memoir by Nandita Chakraborty, an adventurous young woman, unlucky in love, who is living and working in Melbourne. However, when a relationship turns from bad to worse resulting in Nandita being blackmailed, she returns home to her family in Delhi. There she finds comfort and community, but adventure and independence still beckon. When Nandita comes back to Melbourne with a fresh outlook, everything is shaken up once again with an unexpected accident.

This is an interesting and intimate book about trying to navigate your way as an adult, between cultures, between toxic relationships, and between unforeseen disasters. Nandita is a courageous, outgoing, free spirit who has a knack for finding her way and making friends no matter how difficult things get. I thought that Nandita showed incredible resilience and I especially enjoyed the chapters set in Delhi.

Like all memoir, there is often a lot left unsaid and I did have some questions about exactly what led to some of the conflicts Nandita describes throughout the book. However, I also appreciated how frank Nandita is about the effects of living with an acquired brain injury – an invisible disability.

A unique story told from a unique perspective.

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August 23, 2023 · 10:05 pm

Echoes

Short collection of personal essays about connection with heritage

This book is by a (former) Canberra writer and I was very eager to buy a copy when it was first published in 2020. However, due to the pandemic my opportunities to find a copy in a bricks and mortar store were limited so eventually I ordered a copy online. It was the perfect length for my Short Stack Reading Challenge.

Photo is of “Echoes” by Shu-Ling Chua. The paperback book is leaning against a white surface, and is reflected in a mirror. The bottom of a black dress hovers above the grey carpet. The cover is is a composite photograph of a record and tonearm, a compact mirror and washing machines. The entire photo is in greyscale.

“Echoes” By Shu-Ling Chua is a collection of three essays: (Im)material Inheritances, Echoes and To Fish for the Moon. The first essay explores Chua’s enjoyment of clothing and dressing up, the second essay is about the nostalgia and frisson of listening to Cantonese and Mandarin music, and the resonance of washing machines.

Chua’s essays examine the loss, maintenance and rediscovery of culture as a young Australian woman of Chinese-Malaysian heritage. Chua writing is steeped with emotional responses to everyday experiences, and are easy to read and engage with. The essays read like a collection of thoughts, memories and research, but all clearly linked together by theme.

In (Im)material Inheritances, Chua finds similarities with and differences to how her mother and Ah Ma engage with fashion, makeup and appearances. The motifs of mirrors and vintage and bargain fashion evoke a sense of introspection and balance. I particularly connected with the reference to Sungai Wang, a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur I used to visit all the time. In Echoes, Chua shares her longing to sing along to and translate the nuance of lyrics to Cantonese and Mandarin songs. While acknowledging that there is a barrier between the present and the past, Chua is nevertheless able to connect deeply with the music. To Fish for the Moon is a meditation on the intersection between thriftiness, water and washing clothes. Chua writes about the drivers behind her ancestors’ migration from China to South East Asia, and the fate-changing lottery that led her great-grandfather to open a laundry in Malaysia.

Very readable and very relatable, I really enjoyed this little collection.

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August 5, 2023 · 2:20 pm

Dropbear

Collections of poetry and essays about the continuing effects of Australia’s colonial history

This book won the 2022 Stella Prize and shortly afterwards I picked up a copy from Harry Hartog. I am not a huge reader of poetry but there has been some exceptional work published recently from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and I was very eager to read this award-winning example. It is a very short book so it was ideal for my Short Stack Reading Challenge. While I read it some time ago (the review backlog continues) now, with the upcoming referendum on the Voice, is an especially important time to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Photo is of “Dropbear” by Evelyn Araluen. The paperback book is resting on a large knot of a white gumtree trunk. To the left is bright yellow wattle. The cover is a simple light pink with green text that appears debossed with faint scribbles on it. There is a simple line drawing of a gumnut and gum blossom.

“Dropbear” by Evelyn Araluen is a short collection of poetry and essays that contemplates themes of colonisation, culture and country. Under three broad chapters of GATHER, SPECTRE and DEBRIS, Araluen draws on nature, suburbia, family, language, stories and the persistence of Australiana in the psyche of modern Australia despite its decay in short, sharp pieces.

This is an incredible work that keeps the reader surprised and engaged with experimental form and effective juxtaposition between nostalgic, aching descriptions of beauty and piercing observations about the ongoing impacts of colonisation, work of decolonisation and token settler efforts to address inequality. Araluen particularly hones in on the disjunct between settler celebration of native flora and fauna iconography, while simultaneously rejecting Aboriginal sovereignty. Araluen’s writing is innovative and flexible, traversing a multitude of styles, especially in her free verse poetry, and even adapting techniques like censorship/self-editing and academic styles with considered use of language, be it English, Bundjalung or even profanity.

A cutting insight into the tensions of a modern Australia grappling with a colonial history, beautifully written and captivating throughout.

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