“Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication” is a novel by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen, receivingpositive reviews for its engaging plot and social commentary.
The story, featuring two rival radio personalities in a nursing home, is praised for its humor, warmth, and exploration of themes like aging, elder care, and generational differences. Reviewers highlight the novel’s cinematic quality, memorable characters, and its ability to blend comedy with serious social issues.Here’s a more detailed look at the reviews:Plot and Characters:The novel’s central conflict revolves around Bill and Ben, former radio rivals forced to …
Brisbane launch of Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen’s CHALK & CHEESE: A Fabrication .
AVID READER BOOKSHOP West End. Brisbane Sunday 2 November 2pm for 2.30pm
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication – Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyenSUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER | INSTORE EVENTAVID READER BOOKSHOP193 Boundary Street, West End QLD 4101 (07) 3846 3422 2pm for a 2.30pm start | 60 mins
Join us for the launch of Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen.ABOUT THE BOOKRoss Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new fiction, Chalk and Cheese, is a tale of two 80-year-old …
***Telum Talks To: Ross Fitzgerald – Professor, Journalist, Columnist, Narrative Historian, and Author / Co-authorInterview AustraliaBy Jane Hewitson—Telum Media spoke with Ross Fitzgerald AM, an Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University, a Journalist, Columnist, Narrative Historian, and Author / Co-author/ Editor of 46 books. He shares his journey about writing the soon-to-be launched book, “Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication”, and his insights on journalism and storytelling.
What was your publishing journey like for your new book, Chalk and Cheese? As with my Dr Professor Grafton Everest adventures, my collaboration …
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen (Hybrid, $24.99).Reviewed by MICHAEL BRIODY.
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other – until they find themselves in the same nursing home.
The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go gentle into that good night”.The novel sets the scene for the flood of baby boomers who will boost …
Monash Pioneers, News Snippets July 2025Emeritus Professor Ross Fitzgerald AM and Ian McFadyen’s new book Chalk and Cheese -a fabricationNot only is Ross considered a top tier historian whose newspaper articles and recent SBS TV appearance on Insight about elder health promotes independent thought, he is prolific author, coauthor and editor of forty-six books ranging from the serious to outrageously hilarious fiction with his Grafton Everest series. Fiction maybe but ingrained with some elements of real life (and too pertinent for us aged ones).As a fellow Arts graduate I was always somewhat envious …
Former foes become two angry old peas in a pod(cast)
Authors Ian McFadyen, left, and Ross Fitzgerald.Book review / Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen (Hybrid, $24.99).
Reviewed by MICHAEL BRIODY.
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other – until they find themselves in the same nursing home.
The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go …
Failed vape policy in disarray, but what to do?by Prof Ross Fitzgerald
After New Zealand in 2020 made low-risk vapes easier to buy than high-risk cigarettes, their overall adult smoking declined from 14.5 per cent in 2016 to 6.8 per cent in 2023. Photo: Kindel Media
In Australia, the availability of vapes has been severely restricted to pharmacies. In contrast, high-risk cigarettes continue to be readily available from more than 40,000 outlets. And that’s where the problem starts, says PROF ROSS FITZGERALD.
Australia’s health policy in relation to vapes is in disarray. Yet …
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen,
From Griffith University Media
This goes out to 1189 media outlets each Wednesday
2 July 2025
Interview with prolific author and historian Ross Fitzgerald on hilarious new book Chalk and Cheese
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen, a compelling novel fromHybrid Publishers, features two feisty octogenarian ex-radio stars, Bill and Ben, as theynavigate rivalry and reconciliation in a nursing home.
With humor and heart, this tale explores aging, and unlikely alliances. Their tech-savvy grandchildren, Carl and Lily, help them launch …
Switching from a failed vape and tobacco policy to a successful oneby ROSS FITZGERALD
Australia’s health policy in relation to vapes is in disarray. Yet this deeply flawed approach is currently supported by all state, federal and territory governments.
Vaping nicotine was developed in 2003 by a Chinese chemist Hon Lik – a heavy smoker who was desperate to find an effective way to quit smoking after his father died from lung cancer.Vaping was marketed in 2007 and within a few years it became increasingly popular, especially in America and the United …
Michael Briody‘Two Peas in a Podcast.’Chalk and Cheese: A Fabricationby Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyenHybrid, 2 025, 262 pages,$24.99
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication (Hybrid, Melbourne, $24.99), features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other—until they find themselves in the same nursing home.The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go gentle into that good night”. The novel sets the scene for the flood of …
The first review of Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication
Michael Briody‘Two Peas in a Podcast.’Chalk and Cheese: A Fabricationby Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyenHybrid, 2 025, 262 pages,$24.99Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication (Hybrid, Melbourne, $24.99), features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other—until they find themselves in the same nursing home.The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go gentle into that good night”. The …
