A newsletter for arts and culture coverage across New Zealand and the world, including journalism, reviews, and essays by Sam Brooks.
Latest
Oct
15
Critical Corner: Poorhara
Michelle Rahurahu's debut novel just might be the best Aotearoa novel of the year.
6 min read
Oct
01
An afternoon with the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience
Is it theatre? Is it lunch? Is it a tribute to a beloved 70s sitcom? All three, actually.
5 min read
Sep
26
Critical Corner: Be Like Billy and Rigoletto
In this short edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Be Like Billy and NZ Opera's Rigoletto.
4 min read
Sep
23
Critical Corner: Delirious by Damien Wilkins
Damien Wilkins’ novel about a couple moving onto the next stage of their life reveals itself to be a profound reflection on two lives lived fully, and well.
5 min read
Sep
04
Writing with AI is not writing
If you’ve been doing literally anything better with your time over the past 72 hours, you might’ve missed
4 min read
Sep
02
Critical Corner: Kaos
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Netflix’s messy Kaos.
4 min read
Aug
05
Critical Corner: Home Truths
A review of Ngaio Marsh Award-winning author Charity Norman's new novel Home Truths.
5 min read
Jul
26
Critical Corner: Parade by Rachel Cusk
In this edition of Critical Corner, a quick review of Rachel Cusk’s Parade.
4 min read
Jul
02
Critical Corner: The Bear
In this edition, a review of The Bear season three.
6 min read
Jun
26
Revisiting Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 20 years later
What one of the biggest games of all time feels like to play, twenty years later.