Beauty is a central theme in the latest novels of Australian author Christos Tsiolkas (Seven and a Half) and British author and actor Sarah Winman (Still Life). The award-winning, bestselling writers join The Monthly Editor Michael Williams to discuss their unique approaches to the topic, and what their stories reveal about the capacity of beauty to flourish – be it in art, nature or human connection – even in the shadow of conflict and chaos.

This event was proudly supported by the Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne. 

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2022. 

Beauty is a central theme in the latest novels of Australian author Christos Tsiolkas (Seven and a Half) and British author and actor Sarah Winman (Still Life). The award-winning, bestselling writers join The Monthly Editor Michael Williams to discuss their unique approaches to the topic, and what their stories reveal about the capacity of beauty to flourish – be it in art, nature or human connection – even in the shadow of conflict and chaos.
This event was proudly supported by the Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne.  Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2022.

Australia's boldest literary festival.

Melbourne Writers Festival

Conversations from Australia's boldest literary festival.

Conversations from Australia's boldest literary festival.

In Pursuit of Beauty

It’s little wonder books have been censored, banned and burned throughout history, given their power to shape thought, challenge belief and open whole wide worlds inside us.  

Beloved novelists Tony Birch, Lauren Groff and Ann Patchett reveal the ‘inappropriate’ texts of their early reading lives and the books they’d encourage readers of all ages to pick up.  

Birch shares insight as a long-time advocate of diversifying reading lists and as a writing teacher at Preston High School, and Groff and Patchett shed light on opening bookstores in America amid growing book bans, which have included some of their own novels in certain school districts.  

Hosted by Community Engagement and Programming Manager at Readings, Christine Gordon.   

The United States Consulate Melbourne supported the appearances of US authors at MWF.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024. 

It’s little wonder books have been censored, banned and burned throughout history, given their power to shape thought, challenge belief and open whole wide worlds inside us.  
Beloved novelists Tony Birch, Lauren Groff and Ann Patchett reveal the ‘inappropriate’ texts of their early reading lives and the books they’d encourage readers of all ages to pick up.  
Birch shares insight as a long-time advocate of diversifying reading lists and as a writing teacher at Preston High School, and Groff and Patchett shed light on opening bookstores in America amid growing book bans, which have included some of their own novels in certain school districts.  
Hosted by Community Engagement and Programming Manager at Readings, Christine Gordon.      The United States Consulate Melbourne supported the appearances of US authors at MWF. 
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024.

Who's Afraid of Reading, Anyway?

From bestselling Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe and his partner, editor Lyn Harwood, comes Black Duck, a deeply personal story of the consequences for changing Australian history.  

Pascoe and Harwood speak with Paul Barclay about living in harmony with Country based on very old practices, and why 'sometimes you need to repeat something a hundred times before a bell rings in the colony'.    

Supported by ARA.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024.

From bestselling Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe and his partner, editor Lyn Harwood, comes Black Duck, a deeply personal story of the consequences for changing Australian history.     Pascoe and Harwood speak with Paul Barclay about living in harmony with Country based on very old practices, and why 'sometimes you need to repeat something a hundred times before a bell rings in the colony'.    
Supported by ARA.
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024.

Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood: Black Duck

Ghost stories are everywhere. In fairytales, folklore, Gothic novels and modern fiction alike. There are the ghosts that plague our minds – old flames, past wrongs and regrets that come to us in the dead of night – and those that haunt history itself, restless spirits that refuse to rest in peace.  

Gather round our metaphorical campfire and hear Leslie Jamison (Splinters), share her moving and revealing piece of original work, responding to the theme ‘Ghosts’. 



Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024. 

Ghost stories are everywhere. In fairytales, folklore, Gothic novels and modern fiction alike. There are the ghosts that plague our minds – old flames, past wrongs and regrets that come to us in the dead of night – and those that haunt history itself, restless spirits that refuse to rest in peace.     Gather round our metaphorical campfire and hear Leslie Jamison (Splinters), share her moving and revealing piece of original work, responding to the theme ‘Ghosts’. 
 
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2024.

In Pursuit of Beauty

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