"Mark Twain said, fiction must be plausible, truth needn't be, or words to that effect. And truth is, it's so much more unlikely. And so everything in this book that seems unlikely, those are the true things." – Geraldine Brooks.

Geraldine Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist behind works such as March, Year of Wonders and Foreign Correspondence. Her latest release, Horse, is a sweeping narrative that weaves together three encounters with Lexington, the greatest racehorse in US history, to explore the legacy of racism and slavery in America.

Over a warming wintry lunch at Montalto, with produce straight from the kitchen garden, Brooks joined Santilla Chingaipe for a discussion about Horse, what drew her to the story of Lexington, as well as her own illustrious career.

Presented in partnership with Montalto.

This event was recorded on Friday 22 July 2022 at Montalto

"Mark Twain said, fiction must be plausible, truth needn't be, or words to that effect. And truth is, it's so much more unlikely. And so everything in this book that seems unlikely, those are the true things." – Geraldine Brooks.
Geraldine Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist behind works such as March, Year of Wonders and Foreign Correspondence. Her latest release, Horse, is a sweeping narrative that weaves together three encounters with Lexington, the greatest racehorse in US history, to explore the legacy of racism and slavery in America.
Over a warming wintry lunch at Montalto, with produce straight from the kitchen garden, Brooks joined Santilla Chingaipe for a discussion about Horse, what drew her to the story of Lexington, as well as her own illustrious career.
Presented in partnership with Montalto.
This event was recorded on Friday 22 July 2022 at Montalto

Subscribe to the Wheeler Centre's podcast to hear full recordings of our talks, featuring the best in books, writing and ideas from Melbourne, Australia.

The Wheeler Centre

The Wheeler Centre presents thoughtful conversations about Australian literature – away from the lights of Melbourne, at Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove on the Mornington Peninsula.

The Wheeler Centre presents thoughtful conversations about Australian literature – away from the lights of Melbourne, at Montalto Vineyard &amp; Olive Grove on the Mornington Peninsula.

Books and Ideas at Montalto

Geraldine Brooks at Montalto

Richard Flanagan’s masterful new novel Question 7 is his most personal book yet: a tribute to his parents and to his island home of Tasmania, and a hypnotic melding of dream, history, place and memory.

Beginning with Flanagan’s father’s imprisonment near Hiroshima when the atom bomb was dropped, Question 7 traces a chain reaction of events, from the turbulent romance between literary giants H.G. Wells and Rebecca West, to the intricate world of 1930s and 40s nuclear physics, to a young Flanagan trapped on a perilous Tasmanian river rapid.

One of Australia’s most revered novelists, Flanagan was awarded the Man Booker Prize for The Narrow Road to the Deep North and the Commonwealth Prize for Gould’s Book of Fish.

He joins host Astrid Edwards to discuss Question 7’s unique blend of history, fiction and autofiction, and its examination of the stories we construct about ourselves and others.

This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture.

It was recorded on Thursday 9 November 2023 at The Capitol. The official bookseller was Readings.

Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.

Richard Flanagan’s masterful new novel Question 7 is his most personal book yet: a tribute to his parents and to his island home of Tasmania, and a hypnotic melding of dream, history, place and memory.
Beginning with Flanagan’s father’s imprisonment near Hiroshima when the atom bomb was dropped, Question 7 traces a chain reaction of events, from the turbulent romance between literary giants H.G. Wells and Rebecca West, to the intricate world of 1930s and 40s nuclear physics, to a young Flanagan trapped on a perilous Tasmanian river rapid.
One of Australia’s most revered novelists, Flanagan was awarded the Man Booker Prize for The Narrow Road to the Deep North and the Commonwealth Prize for Gould’s Book of Fish.
He joins host Astrid Edwards to discuss Question 7’s unique blend of history, fiction and autofiction, and its examination of the stories we construct about ourselves and others.
This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture. It was recorded on Thursday 9 November 2023 at The Capitol. The official bookseller was Readings. Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.

Richard Flanagan: Question 7

Join co-hosts and co-creators Maria Birch-Morunga and Kate Robinson for a special live recording of their hit podcast Being Biracial, coinciding with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Along with special guests, comedian Aurelia St Clair and AFLW champion Darcy Vescio, they discuss navigating the world as a mixed-race person and the dualities of living across multiple cultures. St Clair also shares a very special stand-up set.

The event was presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre, The Round and Being Biracial.

It was recorded on Thursday 21 March 2024 at The Round.

Featured music is ‘Take It Slow’ by Green Twins.

Listen to more episodes of Being Biracial here: https://beingbiracialpodcast.com/listen-now

Join co-hosts and co-creators Maria Birch-Morunga and Kate Robinson for a special live recording of their hit podcast Being Biracial, coinciding with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Along with special guests, comedian Aurelia St Clair and AFLW champion Darcy Vescio, they discuss navigating the world as a mixed-race person and the dualities of living across multiple cultures. St Clair also shares a very special stand-up set.
The event was presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre, The Round and Being Biracial. It was recorded on Thursday 21 March 2024 at <a href="https://www.theround.com.au/">The Round</a>. Featured music is ‘Take It Slow’ by Green Twins.
Listen to more episodes of <a href="https://beingbiracialpodcast.com/">Being Biracial</a> here: <a href="https://beingbiracialpodcast.com/listen-now">https://beingbiracialpodcast.com/listen-now</a>

Being Biracial Live at The Round with Aurelia St Clair and Darcy Vescio

Known for literary masterpieces like The Sisters Brothers and French Exit, Canadian writer Patrick deWitt has been delighting readers for more than a decade.

In his latest work, The Librarianist, deWitt’s distinctive verve and humour come to the fore. His exploration of the life of retired Oregon-based librarian Bob Comet masterfully blends melancholy and comedy.

With host Marieke Hardy, deWitt delves into his expansive career and the compassion for the outcast that animates his latest novel, celebrating the extraordinary in so-called ordinary life.

This event was recorded on Thursday 29 February 2024 at The Wheeler Centre.

The official bookseller was Hill of Content Bookshop.

Featured music is ‘No One There’ by Ava Low.

Known for literary masterpieces like The Sisters Brothers and French Exit, Canadian writer Patrick deWitt has been delighting readers for more than a decade.
In his latest work, The Librarianist, deWitt’s distinctive verve and humour come to the fore. His exploration of the life of retired Oregon-based librarian Bob Comet masterfully blends melancholy and comedy.
With host Marieke Hardy, deWitt delves into his expansive career and the compassion for the outcast that animates his latest novel, celebrating the extraordinary in so-called ordinary life. This event was recorded on Thursday 29 February 2024 at The Wheeler Centre. The official bookseller was Hill of Content Bookshop.
Featured music is ‘No One There’ by Ava Low.

Geraldine Brooks at Montalto

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