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After releasing his first book of short stories, The Boat, Nam Le was branded a "criminally talented" young author of "a singular masterpiece". That was back in 2008, and he hasn't released another book ... until now.

Returning to the literary stage with a book of poetry - 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem - Le talks to Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall about what happened in the interim, and how he found his way back to writing his first literary love - writing in rhyme and verse.

He also chats candidly about his family's refugee origins, his upbringing in suburban Doncaster, his short-lived legal career and his love of poker.

After releasing his first book of short stories, The Boat, Nam Le was branded a "criminally talented" young author of "a singular masterpiece". That was back in 2008, and he hasn't released another book ... until now.
Returning to the literary stage with a book of poetry - 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem - Le talks to Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall about what happened in the interim, and how he found his way back to writing his first literary love - writing in rhyme and verse.
He also chats candidly about his family's refugee origins, his upbringing in suburban Doncaster, his short-lived legal career and his love of poker.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks

What happened to Nam Le? The return of one of Australia's brightest literary talents

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/724b1ee7-f90e-4bed-98d0-b12a0173f9d8/transcript

In this episode we meet Rachelle Unreich, Melbourne-based author of the book, A Brilliant Life: my mother's inspiring story of surviving the Holocaust.

Recently shortlisted for The Age’s non-fiction book of the year, this mother-daughter memoir weaves the remarkable story of Rachelle's mother Mira, who survived four concentration camps from the age of 17, together with background about the Holocaust and Rachelle's own life.

Hosting the episode, which explores both Rachelle and Mira's stories, the challenge of memory and the lessons learnt from the very worst - and best - of humanity, is the editor of Good Weekend, Katrina Strickland.

In this episode we meet Rachelle Unreich, Melbourne-based author of the book, A Brilliant Life: my mother's inspiring story of surviving the Holocaust.
Recently shortlisted for The Age’s non-fiction book of the year, this mother-daughter memoir weaves the remarkable story of Rachelle's mother Mira, who survived four concentration camps from the age of 17, together with background about the Holocaust and Rachelle's own life.
Hosting the episode, which explores both Rachelle and Mira's stories, the challenge of memory and the lessons learnt from the very worst - and best - of humanity, is the editor of Good Weekend, Katrina Strickland.

What lessons are there still to learn from the Holocaust?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/2d8a66d6-09ab-423c-99d0-b16b018ab1e7/transcript

In this episode we meet bestselling author Johann Hari, who has gone down an Ozempic rabbit hole to work out how and why this weight loss drug works. Hari writes about his findings in a new book, Magic Pill, including his own dramatic drop in clothes size. Whilst marvelling at how drugs like this are changing obesity management, he remains conflicted about their use and longer-term ramifications.

Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Amanda Hooton. 

In this episode we meet bestselling author Johann Hari, who has gone down an Ozempic rabbit hole to work out how and why this weight loss drug works. Hari writes about his findings in a new book, Magic Pill, including his own dramatic drop in clothes size. Whilst marvelling at how drugs like this are changing obesity management, he remains conflicted about their use and longer-term ramifications.
Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Amanda Hooton.

Bestselling author Johann Hari on the whole Ozempic conundrum

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/f577fae0-897c-421b-be56-b163000c438b/transcript

In this episode we meet lawyer and author Shankari Chandran, who won the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. Chandran’s writing explores the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, and weaves sharp commentary on racism, injustice and ignorance through richly told stories of family and community.

Her new novel, Safe Haven, published by Ultimo Press in early May, explores issues of immigration and detention.

Hosting this episode, which also covers how Chandran finds the time to write between her work as a lawyer and raising four kids, is Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland.

In this episode we meet lawyer and author Shankari Chandran, who won the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. Chandran’s writing explores the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, and weaves sharp commentary on racism, injustice and ignorance through richly told stories of family and community.
Her new novel, Safe Haven, published by Ultimo Press in early May, explores issues of immigration and detention.
Hosting this episode, which also covers how Chandran finds the time to write between her work as a lawyer and raising four kids, is Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland.

Moving from anger towards love: a Miles Franklin winner's writing process

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/0eb7d718-c669-4398-9c21-b15c007239b6/transcript

What happened to Nam Le? The return of one of Australia's brightest literary talents

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