LECH BLAINE Australian Gospel: A family saga. Reviewed by Mary Garden
Lech Blaine’s memoir recounts the ongoing harassment his family suffered from the parents of his foster siblings. Australian Gospel: A family saga by Lech Blaine is the story of two families whose lives intersect in an extraordinary way. Blaine emphasises that...
TODD LEY Smashed: Tennis prodigies, parents, and parasites. Reviewed by Braham Dabscheck
Todd Ley’s account of his time as a tennis prodigy may be one of the most important books you will ever read on tennis. Todd Ley was born into a dysfunctional family. His father, who he refers to as ‘Mad Max’, was ‘a traumatised yet charismatic character,...
CHER The Memoir Part 1. Reviewed by Naomi Manuell
Cher is a genuine superstar who has had an extraordinary career across music, film and television. Now her memoir recounts how she got there. Cher prefaces Part 1 of her long-awaited memoir by recalling her reaction to seeing Elvis Presley performing at 1956 concert...
PETER GODWIN Exit Wounds. Reviewed by Ann Skea
Peter Godwin’s memoir charts a life of exile, ranging from the horror of civil war to family eccentricity and life in London and New York. Exit Wounds is a curious title for a memoir, especially when Godwin, early in the book, tells of an illustrated lecture on...
KATHERINE WILES No Autographs Please. Reviewed by Sally Nimon
Katherine Wiles’ life as a professional opera singer seems glossed with sunshine in this memoir. You will sing and it will work out. You will find your place in the world. Just keep knocking on all those doors. Katherine Wiles has always had this voice in her head,...
MAGGIE WALTERS Split. Reviewed by Sanchana Venkatesh
Maggie Walters’ memoir goes beyond the clichés of Hollywood to describe what it’s like living with mental illness. Maggie Walters was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) 30 years ago. On the outside, she is like...
ARIANE BEESTON Because I’m Not Myself, You See. Reviewed by Mary Garden
Ariane Beeston’s memoir chronicles her experience of postpartum psychosis, a devastating but little-understood condition. Because I’m Not Myself, You See casts a spotlight on an issue I knew nothing about. Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum...
KÁRI GÍSLASON Running with Pirates. Reviewed by Ann Skea.
A mysterious man named the Pirate and the beautiful island of Corfu feature in this memoir from the author of The Sorrow Stone. It is September 1990. Kári Gíslason and his friend Paul have been hitchhiking across Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Italy. They are now on a...
SAM ELKIN Detachable Penis: A queer legal saga. Reviewed by Michael Jongen
Sam Elkin’s memoir encompasses the politics of the queer community and the realities of gender transition. Sam Elkin has written an intriguing memoir which encompasses his transition to a transmasculine male and his work for the pilot queer legal service set up within...
NOVA WEETMAN Love, Death and Other Scenes. Reviewed by Michael Jongen
Nova Weetman’s memoir about the loss of her husband and its impact on her family is both intimate and surprisingly uplifting. Nova Weetman has written a beautiful book about death and being left behind. I was moved by the story of the passing of her partner,...
BRADLEY TREVOR GREIVE and CAROLINE LANER BREURE Broken Girl. Reviewed by Jessica Stewart
This memoir of a young woman’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury becomes an unputdownable detective story. Broken Girl, Caroline Laner Breure’s memoir written with Bradley Trevor Greive, opens with light, breezy snapshots of a young woman ready to burst forth...
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