This was not the ideal beach book for the Christmas holidays but now we are in different times, it has come into its own. We can’t go to the beach, or the theatre, or concerts, so some serious reading is indicated. Damascus by Christos Tsiolkas is one such book. Published by Allen & Unwin in 2019, it is the sixth novel by the 55 year old Australian-born son of Greek immigrants, who, as well as being a novelist, is a playwright, essayist and screen writer.