Archive for category: Books

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 »

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 »

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 »