Peter Graham interview
Almost 60 years on, a former lawyer's book reignites the fascination with the Parker-Hulme murder. [more]
Books
In the Absence of Heroes by Anthony McCarten review
McCarten has written a dazzlingly clever sequel to Death of a Superhero. [more]
The Art of the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien by Wayne G Hammond and Christina Scull review
A new collection of JRR Tolkien's artwork is a bonbon for the serious Tolkien nerd. [more]
Dear Dot I Must Tell You by Keith Scott review
Dear Dot gathers nearly 600 pages of young people telling their stories. [more]
Jack Holmes and His Friend by Edmund White review
White's new novel is like a bi-curious When Harry Met Sally. [more]
Interview: Richard Bradford
The author of a biography of Martin Amis found it was a book he didn't want to write. [more]
Unions in Common Cause edited by Peter Franks and Melanie Nolan review
The second Federation of Labour, which at its height represented more than half a million workers, is given its historical due. [more]
The Territorials by Peter Cooke and John Crawford review
A history of our citizen-soldiery was overdue, but this one lacks sparkle. [more]
Wild Heart edited by Mick Abbott and Richard Reeve and Franzi & the Great Terrain Robbery by Sam Mahon review
For how much longer will we have our bedrock natural inheritance, wonder two new books. [more]
A Good Mail: Letters of John Mulgan edited by Peter Whiteford and Journey to Oxford by John Mulgan review
It is one of the tragedies – if not the central tragedy – of John Mulgan's life that he never discovered where "home" was. [more]
Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith review
A challenging and riveting depiction of a great modern artist and his times. [more]
Interview: crime writer Jo Nesbø
The Norwegian bestselling crime author, on his way here for Writers & Readers week, is not the next Stieg Larsson. [more]
Children and young adult books February 2012
Ann Packer's monthly round-up of books for younger readers. [more]
Kelly Link interview
The US author's short stories are neither science fiction nor fantasy, but she is prepared to call them quirky. [more]
Glenn Greenwald interview
The US blogger and author is that increasingly rare thing: an outspoken critic of a culture of impunity in US politics and business. [more]
Postmodernism: Style and Subversion edited by Glenn Adamson and Jane Pavitt review
Postmodernism appears charming and quaint now. [more]
Starman: David Bowie by Paul Trynka and The Man Who Sold the World by Peter Doggett review
One of two new books about David Bowie contends that he was pop culture's most reliable guide to the fever of the 70s. [more]
An Honourable Man by Gillian Slovo review
The novelist's 10th work is perfect for lazy days, aeroplanes and book clubs everywhere. [more]
The Exercise Book edited by Bill Manhire review
Of course you can teach creative writing – although it will be nice when someone finds a less precious adjective than the C word. Or, rather, you can teach its techniques, topics and targets. A lot of our schoolteachers and a number of our universities have been doing so for... [more]
The Settler’s Plot by Alex Calder review
Alex Calder examines the palimpsest of Pakeha settlement in New Zealand. [more]