A terrible thing happened, that day, up at Blackwoods' place, in The Secret River, the first of Grenville's historical novels set in the penal colony of New South Wales.

Every city can lay claim to its fair share of eccentrics. This book is about one of Melbourne's: Edward William Cole.

Stephen Jewell talks to New Zealand actress-turned-writer Barbara Ewing about why she’s mesmerised by researching times gone by.

His books sell abroad, but not here. Paul Cleave tells Nicky Pellegrino why.

This book might more accurately have been titled In Love With Dante. It is a wholehearted piece of advocacy for the 14th century writer, of whom Wilson says it "could be argued that he was the greatest of all European poets, of any time or place".

Why are we so enthralled by the pronouncements of the latter-day gurus of self-help, asks Alex Clark.

Through coincidence rather than design, there's a strong American influence in this month's Fiction Fix hotlist of new novels.

Only in Ireland could a half-forgotten route be named the Way of St Declan or the way of St Patrick's Cow.

Australian writer Arnold Zable talls Graham Reid about giving voice to people in his work and his good fortune in post-revolution China.

The thing about the movies that we've never got over is that they move. In doing so, they evoke a facsimile of life better than life itself. Even the "fractured flickers" of the early cinema commanded an instant suspension of disbelief.

The official Harry Potter website has let the first lot of fans into its online realm. Harriet Walker was one.

Nicky Pellegrino speaks to a man who sees a bright future for felony.

Theresa Healey is an Auckland-based actress who is in Auckland Theatre Company's production of Calendar Girls at The Civic.

Ian Wedde's new novel portrays a troubled food critic who creates a crisis.

If somebody locks himself in a stranger's spare room for months, is he escaping the world or facing up to it?

Giant George may be the world’s tallest dog — 1.5m tall and 2m long — but his owner, Dave Nasser, says he’s a big softie.

The movie will be out soon but read the book first, says Nicky Pellegrino.

Hana Schofield is the co-author of the best-selling memoir, Goodbye Sarajevo.