On the Shelf: Inga Simpson, Asako Yuzuki, Helen Bain and more
About this episode
This episode explores various literary works and themes related to wildlife, poetry, and the Stella Prize shortlist.
This week The Bookshelf leans into the wild as Kate Evans and guests are circled by stories of wolves, wild boar and witches, along with the final year of celebrated poet Sylvia Plath and a sensual story of food and obsession from Japan. Kate is joined by regular guests, the novelist, poet and Professor of Australian literature Tony Birch; and critic Beejay Silcox, who arrives fresh from the U.K. ready to talk literary pilgrimages and bookish souvenirs. Plus, a bonus discussion on this year's Stella Prize shortlist. ~ BOOKS REVIEWED Inga Simpson, Once We Were Wildlife: Stories, Hachette Sarah Walker, The Water Takes, Summit Books Asako Yuzuki, Hooked, translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton, Fourth Estate Helen Bain, The Daffodil Days, Bloomsbury Sally O’Reilly, Hagtale, Scribe ~ 2026 Stella Prize shortlist Evelyn Araluen, The Rot, UQP Geraldine Brooks, Memorial Days, Hachette Miranda Darling, Fireweather, Scribe Lee Lai, Cannon, Giramondo Marika Sosnowski, 58 Facets: On violence and the Law, Melbourne University Press Tasma Walton, I am Nannertgarrook, Simon & Schuster NOTE: the winner will be announced on 13 May ~ OTHER BOOKS MENTIONED Ian McEwan, What We Can Know…
People in this episode
Host: Kate Evans
Guests: Tony Birch, Beejay Silcox
Topics covered
- wildlife
- literature
- book reviews
- poetry
- Stella Prize
- Japanese literature
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Once We Were Wildlife, The Water Takes, Hooked, The Daffodil Days, Hagtale, The Rot, Memorial Days, Fireweather, Cannon, 58 Facets: On violence and the Law
More episodes of The Bookshelf
- New fiction from Amitav Ghosh, Edwina Preston and Gwendoline Riley
- Steve Toltz, Ben Lerner, Siân Hughes, and more
- ~ Festival Special: Irish Writer Colum McCann
- Fiona Kelly McGregor: The Trap + Debra Adelaide: When I Am Sixty-Four + Yann Martel: Son of Nobody (REVIEWERS: Hannah Kent and Tom Wright)
- Short fiction from Louise Erdrich; essays by Alex Miller; and a surreal comic tale from Michael Winkler
- Lanchester, Groff and Costello — reviewed by Hannah Kent and Tim Rogers
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Bookshelf podcast page.