Martin Shaw
@thebooksdesk.bsky.social
Literary agent @shawliterary.bsky.social, formerly head book buyer at Readings Books, Melbourne. Kafka, Sebald, the Antipodes.
So I think I get it more now: TD isn't some sort of naif, and deserves the critical pummelling...
December 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
So I think I get it more now: TD isn't some sort of naif, and deserves the critical pummelling...
yes, remember that well. I think Beejay's similarly scalding review touches on what seems to be the case here: "...a perfectly rollicking story, if you want to get your rollicks off. But TD has two Walkley awards to his name. The reporter-turned-novelist could have said something of substance"
December 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
yes, remember that well. I think Beejay's similarly scalding review touches on what seems to be the case here: "...a perfectly rollicking story, if you want to get your rollicks off. But TD has two Walkley awards to his name. The reporter-turned-novelist could have said something of substance"
yes, I haven’t a clue here as you can tell. I’m just confused a bit: the books are seemingly junk, but he is embraced, to at least some extent, as a writer of substance (so more a Carey than a Courtenay) - which is why you feel the need to assess. Have I got that right?
December 3, 2025 at 6:56 AM
yes, I haven’t a clue here as you can tell. I’m just confused a bit: the books are seemingly junk, but he is embraced, to at least some extent, as a writer of substance (so more a Carey than a Courtenay) - which is why you feel the need to assess. Have I got that right?
of course @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social’s first thought is: the Gotha Programme!
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 AM
of course @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social’s first thought is: the Gotha Programme!