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David Malouf on his novel The Conversations at Curlow Creek
Eleanor Wachtel speaks with one of Australia's great novelists, David Malouf. In his last book, Remembering Babylon, and now again in new novel - The Conversations at Curlow Creek - Malouf uses myth and history to explore nature and justice, and to understand humanity.
In the Field: 30 Years of Writers & Co. A special episode with Khushwant Singh, Mandla Langa, Alexis Wright, and Tayyib Salih
Writers & Company presents highlights from some of the many timely and topical special series recorded on location, with writers from India, South Africa, Sudan and Australia.
Witi Ihimaera and Ali Cobby Eckermann on the power of Indigenous storytelling
Māori novelist Witi Ihimaera (The Whale Rider) and Australian Aboriginal poet Ali Cobby Eckermann (Ruby Moonlight) discuss how stories can bring us closer to reconciliation, and what it's like to navigate between two cultures.
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country," Pt.2, a panel with Chloe Hooper, John Clarke and Christos Tsiolkas
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country," Pt. 2. This week, more from Australia - Writers & Company presents a lively and wide-ranging Panel discussions with three respected writers: Chloe Hooper, John Clarke and Christos Tsiolkas. They explore Australia's mythology, identity and culture - past and present.
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country," Pt.3, with David Malouf
This week on Writers & Company, host Eleanor Wachtel speaks with one of Australia's most elegant and insightful writers, David Malouf. Malouf scribes evocative poetry, novels, short fiction and essays. He's also written opera libretti and a play. Hear about Malouf and his wide range of works in part three of the series "Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country."
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country," Pt.4, with Michelle de Kretser and Kate Grenville
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country" part four. Michelle de Kretser's writing raises interesting questions about Australian identity and culture. This week on Writers & Company, the talented novelist explains how themes of dislocation and discovery fit into her works. Also on the program, an interview with Kate Grenville, an author who finds inspiration in Australian history.
"Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country," Pt.5, with Ruby Langford Ginibi, Sam Watson, and Samuel Wagan Watson
Writers & Company wraps up the series "Dreaming Australia: Changing Visions of a Country." This episode starts with an interview with acclaimed author and historian Ruby Langford Ginibi. Find out why many people consider her to be an icon of survival and power for the Aboriginal people. Also on the program, Eleanor talks with activist Sam Watson and poet Samuel Wagan Watson - well-known writers in Australian Aboriginal culture. The father-son duo takes listeners on an in-depth journey…
'Travel and Voice' Panel – with Luka Lesson and Liija Zhang. Plus, poet Xi Chuan
From the International Literary Festival in Beijing, travel and voice - Eleanor Wachtel leads a discussion about the writer's role across languages and cultures or social class, through the imagination. With Lijia Zhang from China, and Luka Lesson from Australia. Also on the show, an encore presentation of Eleanor Wachtel's 2008 conversation with poet, Xi Chuan. His first collection of poetry to be published in English, Notes on the Mosquito, is coming out this month from New Directions.
Australian author Gail Jones on Five Bells
On this week's program: Australian writer Gail Jones. Her quietly powerful novels look at memory, loss, and Australia's colonial past. She tells Eleanor Wachtel why she chose Sydney's Circular Quay as the focal point for her novel, 'Five Bells.' It's a historic site that's become a major tourist attraction, with the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. But there are many layers beneath the Quay's surface.
Tim Winton on Eyrie
Australian novelist Tim Winton has officially been named a "Living Treasure" by the country's national trust. His latest novel focuses on Western Australia's resource and mining boom and its effect of the country and people.
Peter Carey on Amnesia
Eleanor Wachtel speaks with the Australian-American novelist Peter Carey. The two-time Booker Prize-winner's new novel, Amnesia, probes the relationship between his two countries.
Kevin Jackson on literary curiosities, and the work of Australian author David Foster
This week, Invisible Forms: A Guide to Literary Curiosities - from footnotes to marginalia with England's Kevin Jackson. Also, more from Australia - its myths and the male psyche, with David Foster.
Interviews with Richard Ford and Peter Carey
American writer Richard Ford goes from his last book, Women with Men, to his latest, A Multitude of Sins. Also, this year's Booker winner, Peter Carey, on True History of the Kelly Gang. *Peter Carey portion is a repeat from 22 April 2001.
Australian Writers Series, episode 1: Biographer David Marr on Nobel Prize winner Patrick White
Australian Writers Series, episode 1: Our series begins with the life and works of Patrick White, the only Australian to have won the Nobel Prize in literature. White died in 1990. Eleanor Wachtel interviews his biographer, David Marr. The episode includes rare recorded interviews with Patrick White himself and a reading from White's novel The Eye of the Storm, narrated by Barry Baldaro.
Australian Writers Series, episode 2: Interviews with novelists Kate Grenville and Elizabeth Jolley
Australian Writers Series, episode 2: Sydney author Kate Grenville turns fact into fiction and inserts women into the history of Australia in her novel Joan Makes History; Then, from Perth - novelist Elizabeth Jolley harks back to a childhood in England and life in the Australian bush.