In this insightful conversation, Susan Choi joins Beejay Silcox to discuss her 2025 Booker Prize–shortlisted novel and the themes that animate it – from the immigrant experience, to the complicated bonds between parents and children, to questions of memory, language and identity.    

A father’s mysterious disappearance. A mother harbouring a secret. A daughter searching for answers. Flashlight is both a tender family portrait and a gripping geopolitical thriller, set against the changing tides of 20th century history.     

In partnership with ARA.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

In this insightful conversation, Susan Choi joins Beejay Silcox to discuss her 2025 Booker Prize&ndash;shortlisted novel and the themes that animate it &ndash; from the immigrant experience, to the complicated bonds between parents and children, to questions of memory, language and identity. &nbsp; &nbsp;
A father&rsquo;s mysterious disappearance. A mother harbouring a secret. A daughter searching for answers. <a href="https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781529932515/flashlight--susan-choi--2026--9781529932515">Flashlight</a> is both a tender family portrait and a gripping geopolitical thriller, set against the changing tides of 20th century history. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
In partnership with ARA.
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

Australia's boldest literary festival.

Melbourne Writers Festival

Conversations from Australia's boldest literary festival.

Conversations from Australia's boldest literary festival.

Susan Choi: Flashlight

Telling the story of three generations of displacement, Fire in Every Directionrecounts Baconi’s grandmother’s flight from Palestine as a child, his family’s escape from Lebanon in the midst of civil war, and his own awakening as a queer man within a culture of silence in Jordan.

Balancing humour and loss, nostalgia and hope, this extraordinary book explores how queerness, shame, dispossession and desire intersect in one life – and how we can reclaim ourselves when the world teaches us to hide. 

In a world currently shaped by unease, fracture and division, PEN Melbourne looks to writers whose writing expands our horizons and speaks across borders.

In partnership with PEN Melbourne.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

Telling the story of three generations of displacement, <a href="https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781399754040/fire-in-every-direction--tareq-baconi--2025--9781399754040">Fire in Every Direction</a> recounts Baconi&rsquo;s grandmother&rsquo;s flight from Palestine as a child, his family&rsquo;s escape from Lebanon in the midst of civil war, and his own awakening as a queer man within a culture of silence in Jordan.
Balancing humour and loss, nostalgia and hope, this extraordinary book explores how queerness, shame, dispossession and desire intersect in one life &ndash; and how we can reclaim ourselves when the world teaches us to hide.&nbsp;
In a world currently shaped by unease, fracture and division, PEN Melbourne looks to writers whose writing expands our horizons and speaks across borders.
In partnership with PEN Melbourne.
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

Tareq Baconi: Fire in Every Direction

Why do we make irrational political decisions? Can our stone-age brains process democracy in the digital age?

In an era overshadowed by income inequality, environmental catastrophes, terrorism, and the decline of democracy, the political decision-making process has never been more important. In fact, our survival may depend on it.

Together with host Sally Warhaft, Canadian writer, podcaster and political commentator David Moscrop explains what’s going wrong in today’s political landscape and why sound political decision making has never been more important.

In partnership with The Wheeler Centre.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

Why do we make irrational political decisions? Can our stone-age brains process democracy in the digital age?
In an era overshadowed by income inequality, environmental catastrophes, terrorism, and the decline of democracy, the political decision-making process has never been more important. In fact, our survival may depend on it.
Together with host Sally Warhaft, Canadian writer, podcaster and political commentator David Moscrop explains what&rsquo;s going wrong in today&rsquo;s political landscape and why sound political decision making has never been more important.
In partnership with The Wheeler Centre.
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

David Moscrop: Too Dumb for Democracy?

In this panel, Antoun Issa (Deepcut News), Antoinette Lattouf (Ette Media) and Amy Remeikis (The Australia Institute) and host Osman Faruqi (Lamestream) discuss the rise of independent media in an era of mainstream media consolidation and declining public trust.

Drawing on their own experiences, they consider the possibilities and challenges of alternative platforms such as podcasts, social media, newsletters and reader-supported publications, and the benefits a greater plurality of independent voices can offer.

Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

In this panel, Antoun Issa (Deepcut News), Antoinette Lattouf (Ette Media) and Amy Remeikis (The Australia Institute) and host Osman Faruqi (Lamestream) discuss the rise of independent media in an era of mainstream media consolidation and declining public trust.
Drawing on their own experiences, they consider the possibilities and challenges of alternative platforms such as podcasts, social media, newsletters and reader-supported publications, and the benefits a greater plurality of independent voices can offer.
Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2026.

Susan Choi: Flashlight

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