Latest news with #AmyTaylor
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ruins by Amy Taylor review – Euro getaway turns to hell in this addictive, soapy thriller
Emma and Julian are in their 30s and don't know what is next in their lives. A recent miscarriage has shaken them both and splintered them in different directions, though the long-term couple doesn't know that yet. So, like many well-to-do thirtysomethings, they leave their home in London and head for the sunnier climes of Greece to house-sit for a friend. It's there that Emma suggests shaking up their relationship by opening it to other people: she wants to watch Julian sleep with another woman. He's hesitant but he loves her, so he goes along with it. Enter Lena, a decade-younger Greek woman Emma meets at a bar. Naturally, the interloper complicates things. Melbourne author Amy Taylor's second novel is a leap forward from her debut. 2023's Search History was a fine entry into the messy millennial fiction canon, following a woman who becomes digitally obsessed with her boyfriend's dead ex. Ruins is, in many ways, more sophisticated. Emma and Julian are millennials, too, but a little older than the protagonist of Search History; they run in academic circles, where dinner parties are peppered with discussions of philosophy and literature, which also snake through the book itself. A recurring motif is the Greek myth of Medea, the scorned woman who murders her own children in an act of revenge on her husband. Emma reads the play throughout the novel, as the events in her own life begin to subtly mirror the myth, at least emotionally. The constant mention of Medea grows a little irksome, but ties in neatly with the novel's setting and nods to Greek tragedy. Lena is an effective foil for Emma, highlighting the obsession with women's youth. In one scene at a nightclub, Emma has an epiphany when men ogle Lena and ignore her. 'She was surprised, and a little disgusted with herself, that she missed the attention,' Taylor writes, comparing the male gaze to a market valuation. 'It was as if her currency had lowered in value and she'd never realised.' Suddenly, the younger woman is a threat. Julian has the opposite experience as an ageing man – 'a shifting of the scales that Emma had not expected'. While at first he is reluctant to accept the new terms of his relationship, the realisation of his power, both social and sexual, twists the narrative again – Emma and Lena are quietly, unwittingly pitted against each other, while the man retains ultimate control. Lena's older brother, Darius, also illustrates the point, though from a more sinister angle – while at first it seems that he simply wants to protect his sister, his increasingly violent actions imply that he is more interested in her obedience and submission. This commentary on gender politics feels nuanced and cohesive – more so than the similar themes in Taylor's debut. Emma and Julian remain committed to each other throughout, though Lena haunts their relationship. Taylor contrasts this with blissful snapshots of the couple's early, uncomplicated courtship, and Lena's own wishes for a simple adult life, which has only just begun before it is blown up by the affair. All of this sits alongside the all-encompassing modern question of whether or not to have children. Emma and Julian's seemingly perfect relationship is slowly buckling under the weight of the decision, and Lena's presence exacerbates their growing differences. Within their unique arrangement, the couple sees the possibility of exploring family life through a non-traditional lens – Taylor probes modern relationship structures as a potential solution to the issue, but the overarching question still hovers like a shroud. Above it all, the oppressive heat of the Athens summer looms large. Taylor's descriptions of the city are evocative, from the bustling Monastiraki flea market to the old apartment buildings in which much of the action happens. The mercury rises alongside the growing tensions in an addictive crescendo – as the novel races towards a shocking denouement, it feels at once claustrophobic and urgent. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion The interpersonal twists – the betrayals and revelations – do start to feel soapy. It makes sense: before Ruins was published, a screen adaptation had already been announced. Some of the big plot twists are obvious; one in particular is revealed at such a melodramatic moment that the suspension of disbelief is difficult. But Taylor is a beautiful, sensitive writer – she imbues even the more outlandish parts of the story with care. For Emma and Julian, this bruising summer in Greece reveals more about their own inner worlds; returning to London, they must grapple with these new truths as they march, ever forward, into the great unknown of the rest of their lives. Ruins by Amy Taylor is out now (Allen & Unwin, $32.99)
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ruins by Amy Taylor review – Euro getaway turns to hell in this addictive, soapy thriller
Emma and Julian are in their 30s and don't know what is next in their lives. A recent miscarriage has shaken them both and splintered them in different directions, though the long-term couple doesn't know that yet. So, like many well-to-do thirtysomethings, they leave their home in London and head for the sunnier climes of Greece to house-sit for a friend. It's there that Emma suggests shaking up their relationship by opening it to other people: she wants to watch Julian sleep with another woman. He's hesitant but he loves her, so he goes along with it. Enter Lena, a decade-younger Greek woman Emma meets at a bar. Naturally, the interloper complicates things. Melbourne author Amy Taylor's second novel is a leap forward from her debut. 2023's Search History was a fine entry into the messy millennial fiction canon, following a woman who becomes digitally obsessed with her boyfriend's dead ex. Ruins is, in many ways, more sophisticated. Emma and Julian are millennials, too, but a little older than the protagonist of Search History; they run in academic circles, where dinner parties are peppered with discussions of philosophy and literature, which also snake through the book itself. A recurring motif is the Greek myth of Medea, the scorned woman who murders her own children in an act of revenge on her husband. Emma reads the play throughout the novel, as the events in her own life begin to subtly mirror the myth, at least emotionally. The constant mention of Medea grows a little irksome, but ties in neatly with the novel's setting and nods to Greek tragedy. Lena is an effective foil for Emma, highlighting the obsession with women's youth. In one scene at a nightclub, Emma has an epiphany when men ogle Lena and ignore her. 'She was surprised, and a little disgusted with herself, that she missed the attention,' Taylor writes, comparing the male gaze to a market valuation. 'It was as if her currency had lowered in value and she'd never realised.' Suddenly, the younger woman is a threat. Julian has the opposite experience as an ageing man – 'a shifting of the scales that Emma had not expected'. While at first he is reluctant to accept the new terms of his relationship, the realisation of his power, both social and sexual, twists the narrative again – Emma and Lena are quietly, unwittingly pitted against each other, while the man retains ultimate control. Lena's older brother, Darius, also illustrates the point, though from a more sinister angle – while at first it seems that he simply wants to protect his sister, his increasingly violent actions imply that he is more interested in her obedience and submission. This commentary on gender politics feels nuanced and cohesive – more so than the similar themes in Taylor's debut. Emma and Julian remain committed to each other throughout, though Lena haunts their relationship. Taylor contrasts this with blissful snapshots of the couple's early, uncomplicated courtship, and Lena's own wishes for a simple adult life, which has only just begun before it is blown up by the affair. All of this sits alongside the all-encompassing modern question of whether or not to have children. Emma and Julian's seemingly perfect relationship is slowly buckling under the weight of the decision, and Lena's presence exacerbates their growing differences. Within their unique arrangement, the couple sees the possibility of exploring family life through a non-traditional lens – Taylor probes modern relationship structures as a potential solution to the issue, but the overarching question still hovers like a shroud. Above it all, the oppressive heat of the Athens summer looms large. Taylor's descriptions of the city are evocative, from the bustling Monastiraki flea market to the old apartment buildings in which much of the action happens. The mercury rises alongside the growing tensions in an addictive crescendo – as the novel races towards a shocking denouement, it feels at once claustrophobic and urgent. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion The interpersonal twists – the betrayals and revelations – do start to feel soapy. It makes sense: before Ruins was published, a screen adaptation had already been announced. Some of the big plot twists are obvious; one in particular is revealed at such a melodramatic moment that the suspension of disbelief is difficult. But Taylor is a beautiful, sensitive writer – she imbues even the more outlandish parts of the story with care. For Emma and Julian, this bruising summer in Greece reveals more about their own inner worlds; returning to London, they must grapple with these new truths as they march, ever forward, into the great unknown of the rest of their lives. Ruins by Amy Taylor is out now (Allen & Unwin, $32.99)
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Taboo relationships, steamy affairs and delicious desserts: the best Australian books out in July
Nonfiction, Ultimo, $36.99 Relationships between university professors and their students often aren't explicitly against the rules – but they aren't quite right, either. For her second nonfiction book, Madison Griffiths spent a year interviewing four women who'd had relationships with their university teachers to hear how they feel about those romances now (spoiler alert: not good!) and explore the ethics around them. It's a personal topic for Griffiths: at age 21 she began dating her former uni tutor, a romance that, now aged 31, she has complicated feelings about. Don't expect linear narratives; instead Griffiths has produced academic and often poetic meditations on sex, power and desire. – Katie Cunningham Fiction, Allen & Unwin, $32.99 A summer in Athens? Check. Millennial malaise? Check. A steamy affair that upends everything? Check. Amy Taylor's second novel has all the hallmarks of popular contemporary fiction, imbued with her signature tenderness and intelligence. London couple Emma and Julian are at a crossroads, and welcome the younger Lena into their relationship. Her presence teases out some tricky questions, all while the stifling Greek heat reaches feverish, claustrophobic heights. Taylor mixes literary musings with juicy plot twists and plenty of interpersonal drama – this is a moreish reading experience, the type of book you'll want to gulp down in one breathless sitting. – Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen Fiction, Giramondo, $32.95 Raaza Jamshed's debut novel is short in length but layered with complex meaning. The narrative opens in death – literal and figurative – captured through the image of eucalyptus trees, which Jahan, the novel's protagonist, has been told will regenerate. But, despite her pleas, no signs of life emerge from the seeds that she has painstakingly cared for. This opening holds the promise of the novel as a whole – the deep poetry of the language, the complexity of the setting (under threat from bushfire), and the central themes of loss and regeneration. A powerful, promising new voice. – Bec Kavanagh Cookbook, Hardie Grant, $60 If you don't recognise Christopher Thé by name, you may recognise his famous creation: Black Star Pastry's strawberry watermelon cake, or 'Australia's most Instagrammed cake' as the New York Times called it in 2019. Thé sold Black Star Pastry six years ago, opening Sydney cafe Hearthe with a new focus on baking with native Australian ingredients. These 80 intricate recipes reflect his latest creations. There's saltbush scones with desert lime marmalade, Illawarra plum clafoutis, Geraldton wax cheesecake and 'flowering' wattleseed biscuits. Though there are easier projects, such as his 12-year-old daughter's choc chip biscuits, it's best suited to a confident baker. Those up to the challenge of making layered paperbark cake, with smoked chocolate ganache and blue gum salted caramel, will be rewarded with MasterChef-worthy desserts proudly rooted in Australian flavours. – Emma Joyce Fiction, Black Inc, $36.99 Moreno Giovannoni's The Immigrants is an intensely personal story following members of one Italian family living and working in Australia. After arriving from Tuscany in the mid-1950s, Ugo is determined to make the most of the plentiful work opportunities in agriculture. His wife, Morena, who is supposed to stay in Italy and wait for Ugo to return, sails to 'the colony' to be with her husband. The pair move to rural Victoria, grow tobacco, and are surrounded by a vibrant community of fellow immigrants. This book is written with such tenderness and clarity, you'll be instantly drawn into the suffering and joy of these lives. – Joseph Cummins Fiction, Ultimo, $34.99 Katherine Brabons' Cure explores the social aspects of illness in the family with reflective poise. Vera and her adolescent daughter Thea both experience chronic pain and fatigue. Vera has an ambivalent relationship to traditional medicines, turning to an online community for possible cures and symptom relief, while Thea retreats into the private world of her journal. In this gentle and unassuming narrative, the pair journey to Italy to seek an obscure man who promises to heal people of their illnesses – a trip Vera has taken before. Capturing the difficult intimacies between a mother and daughter, Cure questions the stories they tell about their bodies, wellness, healing and memory. – Isabella Gullifer-Laurie Fiction, Penguin, $34.99 Chloe Adams' debut novel draws on a seam of family history stretching back to the second world war and its brutal Pacific front. Twenty-nine-year-old Mary escapes looming spinsterhood and the banality of middle-class female life by enlisting as part of Australia's postwar operations in Japan. The novel opens in 1949 with Mary back home in Melbourne, pregnant but unmarried, then cuts to a year earlier as she arrives in Hiroshima prefecture. Adams' writing is assured and absorbing as she conjures this new world through Mary's eyes, and her interior life as illusions are eroded. Seventy-five pages in, it's looking promising. – Dee Jefferson Fiction, Allen & Unwin, $32.99 Your Friend and Mine is a sliding doors story in which Margot, a fortysomething restaurateur, is unexpectedly lifted out from her routine when a letter from a long-dead friend arrives. The letter from Tess, Margot's best friend 20 years prior, transports her to a time when their lives had seemed rich and full of potential. As a stipulation (or a provocation, perhaps) of her will, Tess invites Margot on a fully funded trip to the UK to meet her old friend's family, and to finish Tess's bucket list. Jessica Dettmann's third novel balances humour and pathos with ease, as Margot undertakes a journey to reconnect with her old friend, and herself. – BK
West Australian
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Rock royalty AC/DC ready to pass down crown to Melbourne punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers
Is AC/DC passing the torch as Australia's biggest rock band? Embarking on their first tour of Australia in a decade, the ageing rock legends tapped Melbourne punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers as the support act for the five-city run of shows in the Power Up tour at the end of this year. The nod to the emerging punk rock icons — who have played Glastonbury and Coachella so far this year — has sparked the question of whether AC/DC has nominated their successor to the title of the country's biggest rock export. Started in 2017 by four housemates, Amyl and the Sniffers is led by singer Amy Taylor — an outspoken 29-year-old whose on-stage presence mirrors that of the late great AC/DC singer Bon Scott. Joining Taylor are drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens and bassist Gus Romer, creating a classic rock sound with punk vibes and a thick, Aussie accent. Tour promoter Christo van Egmond said Amyl and the Sniffers matched AC/DC's live performance energy and attitude. They were his top recommendation to the band for openers, describing them as 'the natural choice'. 'Amyl and the Sniffers have absolutely blown up over quite a period. But they are very hot at the moment, and we're seeing them everywhere,' van Egmond said. 'In the pub rock genre they are at the top of their game, and certainly the biggest Australia has got to offer. 'It's a unique opportunity for them to play with their absolute heroes. 'One of the guys has got a huge AC/DC tattoo. They they love the band.' He said AC/DC fans can expect a performance which has good Australian pub rock energy. It's not the first time the band has been linked to AC/DC, with Taylor highlighting them as a major influence in previous interviews. The group covered AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap at Perth's Highway to Hell festival in 2020, to rave reviews. One critic said they could be Scott's 'bastard children'. After the announcement the band would be joining AC/DC on tour, Taylor took to social media dubbing them the 'the best rock and roll band in the world'. 'I just can't believe it I am so excited. Never ever ever would have dreamed this. Highlight of my literal life,' she wrote, before adding, 'a band's music that's been weaved through my whole life.' 'Mainly just excited to see them play multiple times.' Van Egmond also revealed that each concert would be opened by a local support act, backing in the Perth live music scene by finding an up and coming band to play Optus Stadium for the two nights 'It's going to be an amazing series of concerts, and at a great time of the year with, you know, Amyl and the Sniffers as a great special guest and then some great local openers in in each in each of the markets,' he said. 'We're supporting the local music scene by having local openers, and then we're, you know, supporting the Australian music scene by having an Aussie band like Amyl and the Sniffers.' It comes as tickets for the second and final Perth show on December 8 went on sale on Monday, with organisers saying sales were strong. After announcing shows across Australia last week, the band scheduled a second concert in each city after tickets sold at an average rate of 1200-a-minute Ticketek, the official ticketing provider for most of the Australian shows, said last Thursday marked the largest concert on-sale day in its 40-year history, eclipsing AC/DC's previous record for its Black Ice World Tour in 2009. 'This second Perth show will definitely be the final show that will be added to the Australian tour,' van Egmond said 'We can confirm that absolutely no further shows will be added to the Australian leg.'
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie punk outfit could take crown as biggest rock band
Is AC/DC passing the torch as Australia's biggest rock band? Embarking on their first tour of Australia in a decade, the ageing rock legends tapped Melbourne punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers as the support act for the five-city run of shows in the Power Up tour at the end of this year. The nod to the emerging punk rock icons — who have played Glastonbury and Coachella so far this year — has sparked the question of whether AC/DC has nominated their successor to the title of the country's biggest rock export. Started in 2017 by four housemates, Amyl and the Sniffers is led by singer Amy Taylor — an outspoken 29-year-old whose on-stage presence mirrors that of the late great AC/DC singer Bon Scott. Joining Taylor are drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens and bassist Gus Romer, creating a classic rock sound with punk vibes and a thick, Aussie accent. Tour promoter Christo van Egmond said Amyl and the Sniffers matched AC/DC's live performance energy and attitude. They were his top recommendation to the band for openers, describing them as 'the natural choice'. 'Amyl and the Sniffers have absolutely blown up over quite a period. But they are very hot at the moment, and we're seeing them everywhere,' van Egmond said. 'In the pub rock genre they are at the top of their game, and certainly the biggest Australia has got to offer. 'It's a unique opportunity for them to play with their absolute heroes. 'One of the guys has got a huge AC/DC tattoo. They they love the band.' He said AC/DC fans can expect a performance which has good Australian pub rock energy. It's not the first time the band has been linked to AC/DC, with Taylor highlighting them as a major influence in previous interviews. The group covered AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap at Perth's Highway to Hell festival in 2020, to rave reviews. Angus Young of AC/DC performs during the 'Power Up' North America Tour at BC Place on April 22, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Credit: Andrew Chin / Getty Images One critic said they could be Scott's 'bastard children'. After the announcement the band would be joining AC/DC on tour, Taylor took to social media dubbing them the 'the best rock and roll band in the world'. 'I just can't believe it I am so excited. Never ever ever would have dreamed this. Highlight of my literal life,' she wrote, before adding, 'a band's music that's been weaved through my whole life.' 'Mainly just excited to see them play multiple times.' Van Egmond also revealed that each concert would be opened by a local support act, backing in the Perth live music scene by finding an up and coming band to play Optus Stadium for the two nights 'It's going to be an amazing series of concerts, and at a great time of the year with, you know, Amyl and the Sniffers as a great special guest and then some great local openers in in each in each of the markets,' he said. 'We're supporting the local music scene by having local openers, and then we're, you know, supporting the Australian music scene by having an Aussie band like Amyl and the Sniffers.' It comes as tickets for the second and final Perth show on December 8 went on sale on Monday, with organisers saying sales were strong. After announcing shows across Australia last week, the band scheduled a second concert in each city after tickets sold at an average rate of 1200-a-minute Ticketek, the official ticketing provider for most of the Australian shows, said last Thursday marked the largest concert on-sale day in its 40-year history, eclipsing AC/DC's previous record for its Black Ice World Tour in 2009. 'This second Perth show will definitely be the final show that will be added to the Australian tour,' van Egmond said 'We can confirm that absolutely no further shows will be added to the Australian leg.'
