Novelist tells her story

• Published date: 29 May 2023
• Publication title: Bush Telegraph

by Barbara Else, Penguin Random House, $37

Barbara Else is recognised as one of our most delightful novelists after publishing The Warrior Queen. This is her memoir, and it’s glorious.

It’s more than just a memoir, it’s a humorous and rebellious story of her life, battling the patriarchy and avoiding being a handmaiden. She’s been lucky in life, with the privilege of being married to a top doctor, two lovely daughters and writing her first novel. But she was aware something was missing.

She describes really well — without apportioning blame — the control...