The Newtown Review of Books

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The Newtown Review of Books Welcome to the official page for The Newtown Review of Books. We believe that a strong reviewing culture is important for both writers and readers.

The Newtown Review of Books was established in March 2012 by Jean Bedford and Linda Funnell as an independent site for book reviews. NRB publishes reviews of fiction, memoir, biography, history, politics and true crime. Our tastes are eclectic, and we aim to provide intelligent reviews of books people will want to read. We post new reviews two or three times a week, and occasional extracts and giv

eaways. We do not review poetry or children’s books. The Newtown Review of Books is produced entirely by volunteers. You can support us by buying books via the links on the site (we earn a small commission on these sales), or by making a donation. If you are interested in advertising with NRB please get in touch. Who we are:

Editor
Linda Funnell is an editor and publishing consultant and has taught courses in publishing, editing and writing for UTS, the ASA, Writing NSW and the University of Sydney. For ten years she was a publisher with HarperCollins, and previously worked with Random House, Pan Macmillan, and legendary literary agent Rosemary Creswell. She has been NRB’s editor since 2020, having been co-editor with Jean Bedford from 2012 to 2019. Editor Emerita
Jean Bedford is a prizewinning novelist and short-story writer. She was Literary Editor of the National Times and has been a freelance and in-house publisher’s editor as well as a teacher of Creative Writing. She has been a judge for many local, state and national literary awards and prizes. Her acclaimed novel Sister Kate has been included in Melbourne University’s Untapped: The Australian Literary Heritage Project. Jean was co-editor of NRB from its foundation until 2019, when she stepped back from day to day operations. Foundation guest contributor
Peter Corris is the creator of PI Cliff Hardy and known as ‘the Godfather of Australian crime fiction’. Peter was married to Newtown Review of Books editor Jean Bedford and wrote ‘The Godfather’ column for NRB from 2012 to 2018. You can read his columns here, including tributes following his death in September 2018. The Scribe and Bark Foundation
NRB gratefully acknowledges the support of the Scribe and Bark Foundation, which has enabled us to undertake important behind-the-scenes upgrades to our website. Copyright in all reviews remains with the reviewer.

NRB mourns Jean BedfordWriter and editor Jean Bedford has died after a long illness. The author of eight novels, includi...
12/12/2025

NRB mourns Jean Bedford

Writer and editor Jean Bedford has died after a long illness. The author of eight novels, including Sister Kate and a trio of Anna Southwood detective novels, two collections of short stories (one written with Rosemary Creswell), Jean was co-founder of the Newtown Review of Books and co-editor from 2012 to 2019. Many of her reviews, which reflect the range of her reading, from Georgette Heyer’s crime novels to Emily Bronte and Jean Rhys, have continued to attract readers since they were first published.

A passionate advocate for the importance of books and writing across genres, Jean has made a significant contribution to Australian literature both as writer and editor – she was Literary Editor of the National Times, edited several anthologies, and worked as a publisher’s editor with numerous authors – and as a teacher of creative writing, inspiring countless students.

As a friend she was both kind and sharp-eyed, and enormous fun. As a colleague she was unfailingly generous in her support.

A fuller tribute is planned for the Newtown Review of Books next week. If you would like to contribute please get in touch via the NRB website.

ICYMI this week's reviews:Robert Goodman on Alix E Harrow's time-travel novel The EverlastingCatherine Pardey on Stuart ...
11/12/2025

ICYMI this week's reviews:
Robert Goodman on Alix E Harrow's time-travel novel The Everlasting
Catherine Pardey on Stuart Everly-Wilson's novel of an Australian crime family The Maskeys
Ann Skea on Lyn Dickens' novel of colonial South Australia Salt Upon the Water
Find them all at https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/

"Lynn Dickens’s writing is fluent and often poetic. She captures the characters of Clarissa and Will and their interacti...
10/12/2025

"Lynn Dickens’s writing is fluent and often poetic. She captures the characters of Clarissa and Will and their interactions beautifully, and she captures, too, the unrest, the dangers, and the rough nature of the early beginnings of the first small free-settlement that would grow into the now-thriving state of South Australia."
Ann Skea reviews Lyn Dickens's novel Salt Upon the Water:
https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/lyn-dickens-salt-upon-the-water-reviewed-by-ann-skea/

ICYMI this week's reviews:Robert Goodman on Claire North's new sci-fi Slow GodsAnn Skea on Thomas Schlesser's art histor...
04/12/2025

ICYMI this week's reviews:
Robert Goodman on Claire North's new sci-fi Slow Gods
Ann Skea on Thomas Schlesser's art history novel Mona's Eyes
Braham Dabscheck on Luke Kemp's Goliath's Curse: The history and future of societal collapse
Find them at https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/

ICYMI this week's reviews of two new novels from Australian authors:Amelia Dudley on Keshe Chow's dark fantasy For No Mo...
27/11/2025

ICYMI this week's reviews of two new novels from Australian authors:
Amelia Dudley on Keshe Chow's dark fantasy For No Mortal Creature
Annette Hughes on Erin Hortle's second novel A Catalogue of Love
Find them at https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/

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