Double pass giveaway - The Seed of the Sacred Fig
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What's not to love about Ross Gittins?
While we can justly accuse the Murdoch press and Sky News for blatantly promoting the MAGA view of the world, and while misinformation and downright lies routinely go unchallenged by the press in general, it seems to me that ‘the mainstream media’ is too easily and conveniently blamed and denounced for much that is wrong in the world today. Don't get me wrong - what Herman and Chomsky had to say about the political economy of mass media in Manufacturing Consent is as true today as it was in 1988 when that groundbreaking book came out.
But, there are also many brave and honest journalists speaking truth to power and often being jailed or killed for their trouble. They write really good books as well - The Palestine Laboratory by Antony Loewenstein, Balcony over Jerusalem by John Lyons, Ronan Farrow's Catch & Kill, and Louise Milligan's Cardinal spring to mind.
In Red Memory: the Afterlives of China's Cultural Revolution, journalist Tania Branigan does for China what Anna Funder did in Stasiland for Germany. It’s a deep-dive into how the Cultural Revolution is remembered by the participants and forgotten by the state. (As a naive 18 year old leftie, I thought it meant they were taking art and literature and music to the masses!). On one hand, a compelling oral history as Branigan, the Guardian UK's China correspondent for 7 years, interviews the survivors and perpetrators of that terrible time, on the other, an analysis of the psychology of trauma and how that trauma has worked its way into the body politic of China today. Brilliant. But I don't think Tania will be going back to China any time soon.
So hold ‘the media’ to account by all means, but don't forget the Fourth Estate is an integral, necessary and important part of our democracy - such as it is.
Morgan
WHAT WE'RE READING
It’s exciting to see Chandran branching
out into the thriller genre, taking on the
gritty urgency of a race against time set in the Sri Lankan civil war. I loved the pacing and drama of it all, and its deep grounding in historical events.
- Imogen, Glebe
Gorgeous, razor-sharp language celebrates a collection of carnival folk
characters deemed
deviants, freaks and
outliers by the smallminded inhabitants
of Pitlaw, a Scottish
village where nothing
changes. A collision course centuries in the making – and it’s gonna
be epic! - Tiff, Blackheath
On a post-Claire Keegan bedside table, are we not all looking for the next perfect novella? No words wasted, characters leaping off the page in a matter of carefully chosen sentences? A truly transfixing historical tale of a tenant eviction in 1843 on a remote Scottish island that goes heart-stoppingly awry. - Andy, Glebe
UPSTAIRS IN MARCH
Quentin McDermott – Meadow’s Law Friday 21st February
Kathleen Folbigg in 2003 was found guilty of smothering her four young children to death. This is a gripping and meticulously researched account of the criminal case, written by the investigative journalist whose groundbreaking work with Australian Story helped trigger a push by scientists to uncover the genetic cause of two of the children’s deaths. It is also the story of how dedicated teams of lawyers and supporters fought to achieve Kathleen Folbigg’s eventual pardon, release and acquittal. A must for anyone interested in true crime, justice, science and the power of investigative journalism.
Sunday Sessions Book Club Sunday 23rd February – All Fours by Miranda July
Our first Sunday Session for the year is on 23rd February, and Heather will be leading discussion of last year's bestseller All Fours by Miranda July. Come along and join the discussion, or sit back with a glass of wine. A reminder that book club attendees get a 15% discount off this month's and next month's selection. With lucky door prizes from our publisher mates!
Nick Kaldas – Behind the Badge Tuesday 4th March – In conversation with Gary Jubelin SOLD OUT
Debra Oswald – One Hundred Years of Betty - Thursday 6th March – Launched by Geraldine Brooks
Born into poverty in pre-war London, and growing up fast during the Blitz, Betty grabs the chance at a bigger life by migrating to Australia. On board the SS Asturias she meets three people who will influence the course of her life. On the eve of her hundredth birthday party, the eternally curious and phenomenally old Betty tells us her story.
IWCE Solar Information Night - Wednesday 12th March- Introduced by Charlotte Wood - Free event
Charlotte Wood introduces us to Inner West Community Energy (IWCE) a nonprofit community group, run primarily by volunteers. Since 2017, IWCE has been on a mission to accelerate the adoption and accessibility of renewable energy for homes and organisations. Together with their team of preferred installers, IWCE has installed over 400 solar systems in the Inner West and surrounds!
Gina Chick & Claire van Ryn – Birds Thursday 13th March – Special Event
We have a special treat as Gina and Claire conduct a conversation around their latests books.
Charlotte McConaghy – Wild Dark Shore Tuesday 18th March
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers but the Salts are now its final inhabitants. During the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman washes up on shore... Charlotte introduces us to her new novel of heartstopping twists, dizzying beauty and ferocious love. Wild Dark Shore is a story about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us is ending.
Jess Hill – On Stopping Family Violence Wednesday 19th March
What will it take to stop gendered violence? Men are murdering women at an increased rate, coercive control and sexual violence are becoming more complex and severe, and governments are not doing nearly enough to stop perpetrators weaponising technology and systems. In this urgent essay, Jess Hill investigates Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children to find out what’s working and what’s not – and what we can do to turn things around.
Diana Reid – Signs of Damage Tuesday 25th March – In conversation with Letitia Davy - SOLD OUT
Natasha Lester – Morning Tea - The Mademoiselle Alliance Sunday 30th March – In conversation with Sophie Green
How did a young Parisienne mother, celebrated for her beauty and glamour, come to lead the largest spy network in France? Discover the true story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, spanning '20s Morocco to wartime Paris, over a pastry, cup of tea or coffee or glass of bubbles.
Kerrie Davies – Miles Franklin Undercover Thursday 27th March
After the success and celebrity of her coming of age novel published when Miles Franklin was only 21, she disappeared. This is the story of the decade that made her second career as a fearless advocate for working women. In a real-life sequel to My Brilliant Career, author Kerrie Davies uncovers a little-known period in Miles’ life, from the servant’s quarters of Sydney and Melbourne’s wealthy houses to volatile Chicago, in the turbulent years after her early success.
More upstairs in February
Susanne Gervay – Parrot Palace
Sunday 2nd March
Maureen Carter – Ten Pounds for Paradise
Wednesday 5th March
Philosophical Fragments as the Poetry of Thinking
Friday 7th March – Launched by Jakob Ziguras and Dalia Nassar
David Prior – Mariners on the Margins
Sunday 9th March – Launched by Irina Dunn
Angie Who – Sing By The Book(s) Monday 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st
Kieran Tapsell – Potiphar’s Wife Friday 14th March – Launched by David Marr
The Seed of the Sacred Fig - Double Pass Giveaway
The Seed of the Sacred Fig (in cinemas 27th February) is a groundbreaking new film from acclaimed Iranian director and screenwriter, Mohammad Rasoul and we have 10 double passes to giveaway. Email competitions@gleebooks.com.au with SACRED FIG GIVEAWAY in the subject field and nominate which of our branches you'd like to collect your tickets from. Good luck! Only the winners will be notified.
The celebration of Iman’s (Misagh Zare) latest promotion as investigating judge in the Revolutionary Guard Court coincide with widespread public protests after the death of a young woman in the streets of Tehran. The demonstrations and the heavy-handed government response upset the dynamics within
his family. When Iman discovers that his service weapon has gone missing, he suspects his family. Frightened to lose his reputation and his job, he becomes more and more paranoid, starting
an investigation in his own home in which all borders are crossed one by one… |VIEW TRAILER|
Gleetalks Podcast
Geoff Raby in conversation with Geraldine Doogue
In the Nineteenth Century, the Russian and British played what was dubbed the Great Game for strategic influence in Central Asia. Today, the players have changed. Combine Putin’s Ukraine folly and American isolationism and, China now has the chance to project its power globally, as the US did from the early Twentieth Century. What are the implications and consequences, especially for Australia?
In this episode of Gleetalks, Australia’s former ambassador to China Geoff Raby AO talks to broadcaster Geraldine Doogue about his new book Great Game On: The Contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy, which explores these geopolitical forces and strategic questions. |LISTEN HERE|
