Entries by Darryl Butler

Home Fire

Kamila Shamsie,
Home Fire, $24.99

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
March 2018

In his endorsement of this book, the Australian author, Peter Carey, recommended that it be read by every Prime Minister and President. I heartedly agree (bet they are really interested in my recommendations!)

Home Fire is a novel set in contemporary England, describing the lives of three young Muslim siblings: twin brother and sister, and an older sister who is left to raise the twins after the death … Read more »

The girl who takes an eye for an eye

David Lagercrantz
The girl who takes an eye for an eye
$32.99

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
February 2018

I’m sure many of you read the trilogy written by Steig Larson about the amazing Lisbeth Salander. Following Larson’s death, some arrangement must have been made with the family to continue the series, which was a world-wide success. The result is this novel, but it’s rather difficult to recognise the original Lisbeth. She seems to have … Read more »

A Legacy of Spies

John le Carre, A Legacy of Spies, $32.99

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
December 2017

A close friend who is a Le Carre fan told me I should not read this unless I had read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold first. However, I did and really enjoyed it, although I can imagine it would have been easier if I had known the characters from the earlier books.
The central character is Peter Guillam, colleague of the famous George Smiley, co-worker and spy from the … Read more »

A loving, faithful animal

Josephine Rowe, A loving, faithful animal, $23.95

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
November 2017

Rodney Hall, well-known author and friend to many in Bermagui, recommended this author as one of the most exciting he had read for years—a great boost for an emerging writer. She has previously published a book of short stories, which were strongly acclaimed. As a fellow at Stanford University in California, … Read more »

Miss Muriel Matters

Robert Wainwright, Miss Muriel Matters, $32.99

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
October 2017

Here is yet another woman I had never heard of! Muriel Matters was born in Adelaide, spent time in Perth where she began her life as an actress before moving to London to further her career at the beginning of the 20th century. Before long, she was caught up in the struggles for women’s right to vote. The book traces her commitment and her involvement up to and after the First World War.

She … Read more »

Days Without End

Sebastian Barry, Days Without End, $32.99

Reviewed by Heather O’Connor
September 2017

This is the second book of Sebastian Barry that I have reviewed this year, but it is so completely different from all his others that I gave myself permission to indulge in this most favorite of authors.

All the other books of his that I have read have been set in … Read more »