Nick Cave: ‘Faith, Hope and Carnage’

7 Dec

Many of us are enjoying immensely the collection of conversations between Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan, Faith, Hope and Carnage. (Melbourne: Text Publishing, 2022). Recorded over a couple of years, while Cave was forced to remain in Britain, during lockdowns and other … Read More »

Beginning again: Chris Womersley, ‘The Diplomat’

4 Oct

Chris Womersley’s latest novel, The Diplomat (Picador, 2022) is a superbly written but gut-wrenching tale. As the cover blurb says, ‘Shot through with grief and dark comedy, The Diplomat is a powerful story of love and recovery—and a stark evocation of … Read More »

For good or ill: Amor Towles’ moral calculus on The Lincoln Highway

5 Sep

I have so enjoyed The Lincoln Highway. Towles is a fabulous story-teller with a superb insight into the human condition. Having really appreciated his A Gentleman in Moscow, I am amazed by this author’s skill in evoking the social and … Read More »

On being (a) patient

31 Aug

A week after surgery, here are a few thoughts on the experience and on the idea of patience. (BTW, I am recovering well. Thank you.) There are many interesting bon mots about patience. For example, Saint Augustine (354 – 430 ) … Read More »

‘Have you got a minute?’ The value and dangers of interruptions

23 Aug

I don’t know how many times someone has asked, ‘Have you got a minute?’, when of course they meant 30 or 40 minutes at least. Sometimes a conversation ensues about a person’s concerns, perhaps wanting guidance or support, or maybe … Read More »

‘Ultimate things’: Reflections on the Himbury biography

15 Aug

I thought to share the reflections I offered recently when we had a mini launch of my biography of my biography of Mervyn Himbury, at the Collins Street Baptist Church, Melbourne. Simon Holt has kindly invited me to share with … Read More »

Invisible Mission

10 Aug

We were fortunate recently to have two very restful weeks at Mission Beach, in far north Queensland. We had been there before but knew nothing of what I am about to relate. This holiday involved a lot of walking around … Read More »

‘And so this is Christmas …’

22 Dec

Well, not exactly, though the broader culture does not go along with the nicety that is Advent. If ever we needed to spend time reflecting on the travails fo the human community and reaching out for the hope of new … Read More »