Adrift in Melbourne

(Hardback)

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Description

Melbournes streets have always been marvellousbut the proud facades of the nineteenth-century boom arent the half of it.
What about the stories behind them
The great corset scandal of Melbournes belle epoque;
The heritage-listed toilets out the back of the Rialto;
The exploits of the women who ran the brothels in Little Lonsdale Street;
The reason George Mallaby starred in Homicide wearing a hat two sizes too small.

This book contains a series of walks created by Robyn Annear to showcase the hidden histories we might scurry past every day, the buildings now gone and the extraordinary characters who inhabited them.
Charming, erudite and frankly gossipy, Annears highly entertaining guide to Melbourne past and present need not be experienced on the move. But whether you enjoy it from a tram stop or an armchair, Adrift in Melbourne will inspire you to unleash your inner flneur on the lurking surprises of this great city.

Reviews

'Quite frankly, reading anything written by Robyn Annear is a complete joy. She writes as if its just you and her chatting away, strolling through the streets of our wonderful city. I consider this book essential reading for anyone who loves Melbourne. It is the perfect antidote to the last two years...Before you know it, youll be completely enchanted again by our city. And its all because you became friends with Robyn Annear. Lucky you. * Readings *

Annear tackles her sprawling subject matter with her trademark wit and her knack for singling out the perfect historical reference. Nothing New is one of those books that will annoy the hell out of anyone who isnt actually reading it because you cant help but blurt out, Listen to this bit.

* SMH/Age on Nothing New *

[An] entertaining and insightful history...[Nothing New] is a veritable treasure trove.

* Books+Publishing on Nothing New *
'Robyn Annear is the perfect guide for this city tour, comprising seven walks (which can be done on foot or in your armchair)Theres a gallery of characters too, but none more interesting than the city itself. * Age *
An unexpected delight. Annear writes history with a smile but with a deadly acerbic stareOn this tour of Melbourne we are in the best possible hands. * Gregory Day, Saturday Paper *
'An entertaining romp and joyous celebration of a city that keeps on giving. * North Melbourne Books *
'It is a privilege and a pleasure to walk the streets of Melbourne guided by Robyn Annear. * ArtsHub *
Annear is a charming and intelligent guideA lively sense of humour suffuses the pages. * Canberra Times *

Author Bio

Robyn Annear is the author of six books of history, including Bearbrass: Imagining Early Melbourne, Nothing but Gold: The Diggers of 1852 and, most recently, Nothing New: a History of Second-hand. Her podcast Nothing on TV presents stories from Trove historical newspapers.