David Marr has decided to explore the controversy surrounding Bill Henson’s photographs in great detail. The Henson Case is released by Text in October and is sure to reawaken the art/porn debate. Marr includes detailed interviews with Henson himself, giving him a chance to express the motivations of his work. It will also be the first detailed account of the events surrounding the removal of pictures from Henson’s exhibition, and the investigation of the artist for child pornography. The important and complex debate tells us about who we are culturally as a nation, what is acceptable for broad public viewing, questions of consent, censorship, and if lines can or should be drawn. Sure to be an interesting and important book.
Campus Corner First Taste challenges misconceptions on Indigenous alcohol consumption within Australia’s social history.1 December, 2008
Good attitude on food Dr John Tickell’s Great Australian Diet 2 and the second edition of the accompanying Great Australian Diet Recipe Book are out in January (Wilkinson Publishing).1 December, 2008
America, ale, and an actor Stephen Fry has always been fascinated by America (Thorsons, December).1 December, 2008
Classics and icons Eight stylish hardbacks celebrate women of art and literature for the 30th anniversary of Virago’s Modern Classics (November).1 December, 2008
A deeper understanding So much can be learnt about lands and environments by listening to the stories and parables of ancient peoples.1 December, 2008
Aussie adventures Voyages around the Australian coast, discovering treasure and dealing with disappointment, emotions and spirits running high and low are due in Caribbee (Greg Dickson, Deep End Press, December), along with great research into Australian and Dutch maritime history.1 December, 2008
A new way of looking at things Andrew Blechman was inspired to write Leisureville (UQP, December) after his next-door neighbours moved into a massive gated retirement community called ‘The Villages’, the largest in the world with a growing population bordering on 100,000.1 December, 2008
Connections and suspicions Parted tragically from First Sergeant Charles Monroe King by an explosion in Baghdad, Dana Canedy tells the story of their love, and the journal King left behind for their infant son in the poignant memoir A Journal for Jordan (Hachette, February).1 December, 2008
Thrills and intrigue Like to see gore spilling across the page? Jack Kilborn will make you Afraid (Headline) next March.28 November, 2008
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