Author Archive
My Brother Jack

My Brother Jack

Jessica Barlow cannot help but agree with everyone else - My Brother Jack by George Johnston is an Australian Classic Novel - and it's also a bloody good read.
Sue Williams: Welcome to the Outback

Sue Williams: Welcome to the Outback

Welcome to the Outback is a book that understands the heart of Australia and isn’t afraid to share it. Jessica Barlow chats to author Sue Williams about her move from a Sydney apartment to the red dust of the Australian outback.
Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus

The more so-called Classics Jessica Barlow reads, the more confused she is getting over what exactly that means. Eucalyptus, by Murray Bail, presents as no less a challenge - it read more like a fairytale for adults than a literary work.
Cloudstreet

Cloudstreet

Jessica Barlow reviews Cloudstreet and cannot deem it an Australian Classic, and in fact, wouldn’t recommend it to anyone in the future. The novel has been critically acclaimed as one of the great Classics of our time with Winton frequently hailed as the best writer in Western Australia.
Attack of the Slurpee App

Attack of the Slurpee App

If you have an iPhone, a love for Slurpees and a penchant for trying new and exciting flavours, then Jessica Barlow is about to deliver some very good news.
Black Diamond Accessories

Black Diamond Accessories

Jessica Barlow chats to the creator of Black Diamond Accessories - an emerging jewellery label that often features an eclectic mix of skulls in all shapes, sizes and colours.
The Shiralee

The Shiralee

Jessica Barlow reviews The Shiralee by D’arcy Niland - a novel so beautifully written, in such an intriguing manner, that it has landed itself upon her list of all time favourite novels - and the Australian Classic collection.
Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Jessica Barlow reads so-called classic Australian novel Picnic at Hanging Rock - and whilst it was a curiosity-grabbing read - she'd hardly place it on a pedestal and deem it a classic.
My Brilliant Career

My Brilliant Career

Jessica Barlow reviews the first book in her Australian Classic Novels column - Miles Franklin's My Brilliant Career, published in 1901.
Urban Display Suite

Urban Display Suite

A play that ends far too soon, Jessica Barlow reviews Urban Display Suite - a musical theatre show that's sure to delight everyone in Melbourne - no matter which suburb they live in.
Australian Classic Novels: Intro

Australian Classic Novels: Intro

This year, Jessica Barlow is going to read as many classic Australian novels as she can, and try and determine what makes a novel Australian as well as a classic.
Urban Display Suite

Urban Display Suite

Following sold out sessions at both the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Melbourne’s fortyfivedownstairs, hit musical Urban Display Suite is set to return to Melbourne this January at the MTC Theatre’s Lawler Studio. Jessica Barlow reports.