Why won’t Melbourne Writers Festival allow live questions any more?
Opinion
Literature

Why won’t Melbourne Writers Festival allow live questions any more?

In an unusual move,the Melbourne Writers Festival won’t allow the audience to stand up and ask questions at its sessions – and some festivalgoers are breathing a sigh of relief.

  • byJane Sullivan

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Book of the Year:the 12 titles that have made The Age shortlist

Book of the Year:the 12 titles that have made The Age shortlist

Fiction judges said they had chosen novels that were both fresh and wise. “Their stories and characters stayed with us,long after the pages were closed”

  • byJason Steger
His mum and dad were treated differently. He wanted to understand why

His mum and dad were treated differently. He wanted to understand why

Ziggy Ramo’s raw hip-hop made a lot of Australians uncomfortable. He expects his book to do the same.

  • byMichael Dwyer
Can men ever escape toxic masculinity? That’s what this book asks

Can men ever escape toxic masculinity? That’s what this book asks

Myfanwy Jones’ Cool Waters is a smooth read,thanks to its finely polished prose and a seamless structure.

  • byJo Case
Exodus leaves Melbourne Writers Festival searching for next chapter
Exclusive
Literature

Exodus leaves Melbourne Writers Festival searching for next chapter

Uncertainty surrounding the Melbourne Writers Festival has revived talk of merging it with the Wheeler Centre and State Library Victoria.

  • byChip Le Grand
At its heart,Bruce Pascoe’s Black Duck is a love story of both people and Country

At its heart,Bruce Pascoe’s Black Duck is a love story of both people and Country

Author Tony Birch reviews a deeply philosophical book by Pascoe and his partner Lyn Harwood about their personal growth and the need to live humbly with the land.

  • byTony Birch
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Is this debut novel a sly satire,or just an earnest train wreck?

Is this debut novel a sly satire,or just an earnest train wreck?

Bri Lee’s debut is easy to mock,but it certainly isn’t a boring read.

  • byBeejay Silcox
Diagnosed with arthritis at 21,she struggled to find words to describe the pain

Diagnosed with arthritis at 21,she struggled to find words to describe the pain

Katherine Brabon’s novel about living with chronic illness is one of six Australian books that make up the shortlist for the $60,000 Stella writing prize.

  • byJason Steger
When an investigative journalist turns to crime,it’s a ‘sheer delight’

When an investigative journalist turns to crime,it’s a ‘sheer delight’

Louise Milligan’s first crime novel tells a dark and enjoyable story.

  • bySue Turnbull
When an artist is cancelled,the canvas is the last thing on his mind

When an artist is cancelled,the canvas is the last thing on his mind

Liam Pieper’s novel takes a satirical look at cancelled artist Oli Darling and the scheme to get him back in favour with the glitterati.

  • byJack Cameron Stanton
Ann Patchett,Pulitzer and Booker Prize winners lead Melbourne Writers Festival line up

Ann Patchett,Pulitzer and Booker Prize winners lead Melbourne Writers Festival line up

The much-loved American writer,who won the Orange Prize for Bel Canto and further acclaim for her recent novel,Tom Lake,is among the guests heading to town in May.

  • byJason Steger