Tony Birch

My parents, my mum in particular, just loved the book.

And are you suggesting I'm on the bottom shelf?

Of course.

Well, I'll just mention very quickly.

I mean, coming to Sydney, I always think of Roof Park.

Sydney is one of the most beautifully photographed cities in sort of social reels and photography.

And I love photographs.

And often when I look at historical images of urban Sydney, I'll think of Roof Park's work.

Paul Manzari, obviously, but her body of work.

Quickly mention another novel that will be little known is Wildcat Falling, published by Colin Johnson in 1965, who became the writer of Mudvarur.

But that book is remarkable for looking at, again, youth culture, beatnik culture in Perth in the 60s.

And as a man of colour writing that book, there is this metaphor that lurks in the book of the always Aboriginal people existing in the shadows of society.

So that's important.

But for me, I think Power Without Glory by Frank Hardy is probably one of the most important books I've ever read.

We've talked about this before, about, you know, Hardy addresses the sort of issue of his character, John West.

who's based on the Melbourne SP bookmaker, entrepreneur, poor man made rich, John Wren.

And the interesting thing in the book, the tension is between the author and the readers, that Frank Hardy's a committed communist.

The book is a really strong critique of capitalism.

And this man who grew up very poor, working class, who ends up living in the mansion on the hill, literally in Studley Park above Collingwood.

So it's a very strong, critical reading of John Wren.