Guardian Australia's weekend wrap of essential reads from the past seven days, selected by Imogen Dewey, offers a diverse range of articles. This week's selection includes a blind taste test of tinned tomatoes, an interview with comedian Alan Davies, and a deep dive into the paradoxical pop star Saint Levant.
1. Palestine's Paradoxical Pop Star
Saint Levant has emerged as the first bona fide commercial Palestinian pop artist, sparking both passionate fandom and bitter disapproval. Nesrine Malik explores how the young star's music gives fans permission to celebrate their culture, while critics argue against making pop during times of war. The article delves into the significance of his name, a play on Saint Laurent, Arabised in homage to the Levant region. Malik notes that previous Palestinian artists achieved fame through rousing political anthems, making Saint Levant's approach both invigorating and scandalising.
2. 'The Reaction to the Budget Has Revealed Australia's Warped Priorities'
Guardian columnist Greg Jericho reflects on the budget, highlighting that Australians with disabilities faced the biggest cuts while conservative media focuses on the wealthy losing tax breaks. He argues that the debate over the budget is skewed, calling it a 'society of ghouls' if such priorities are accepted. The article takes about three minutes to read.
3. Alan Davies on Booze, Ego, Comedy and Cancer
Alan Davies, known for his roles on panel shows and Jonathan Creek, opens up about his dark days, including booze-fuelled rows, blackouts, and the after-effects of abuse. In an interview with Sam Wollaston, Davies discusses his journey and the impact of his childhood. He found Bessel van der Kolk's 'The Body Keeps the Score' helpful. The read takes four to five minutes.
4. Selecting the Bonkbuster Nonpareil
Zoe Williams ranks Jilly Cooper's top 10 novels, coinciding with the release of season two of the TV adaptation of 'Rivals'. The article takes about three minutes to read and invites readers to share their favourite Cooper novel.
5. The Taste Test That Ended One Writer's Long-Term Relationship with Mutti
Food writer Nick Jordan conducted a blind taste test of 26 tins of tomatoes to identify the best and worst, aiming to improve weekly cooking Australia-wide. The test involved six reviewers tasting diced, chopped, or pulped tomatoes twice: heated and cooked into a sauce. The results are revealed in this five-minute read.
Further reading includes John Fordham's ranking of Sonny Rollins' best songs after the jazz great's death. Sign up for the Five Great Reads newsletter to receive these selections every weekend.
