What is the future of the great Australian novel? Novelists Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao contemplate the novel, the nation and its literature with Lynda Ng. 

Marking 30 years since Brian Castro considered the ‘new novel’, three of Australia’s most talented contemporary novelists discuss the future of the form. Is there such a thing as a ‘Great Australian Novel’, or have twentieth-century paradigms expired? What, exactly, does greatness have to do with fiction? How does the novel relate to the nation? Dr Lynda Ng, lecturer in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne, is joined by Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao as they consider the novel, the nation, and the boundaries that shape them.  

This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.

The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘Kick Back’ by james.lfo.

What is the future of the great Australian novel? Novelists Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao contemplate the novel, the nation and its literature with Lynda Ng.  Marking 30 years since Brian Castro considered the ‘new novel’, three of Australia’s most talented contemporary novelists discuss the future of the form. Is there such a thing as a ‘Great Australian Novel’, or have twentieth-century paradigms expired? What, exactly, does greatness have to do with fiction? How does the novel relate to the nation? Dr Lynda Ng, lecturer in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne, is joined by Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao as they consider the novel, the nation, and the boundaries that shape them.  
This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural <a href="https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/event-series/liminal-festival">Liminal Festival</a>, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.
The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was <a href="https://amplifybookstore.com/">Amplify Bookstore</a>.
Featured music is ‘Kick Back’ by james.lfo.

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Liminal Festival: The Novel

Critics Eda Gunaydin, Michael Sun and Cher Tan examine the present state and potential futures of literary criticism. 

Literary criticism seems to be in an endless state of decline. In so-called Australia, a particular flavour of cultural cringe is yoked to cultural hegemony: a critic might find themselves locked within the ivory tower, or self-censoring for fear of offence, or deliberately pursuing contrarianism for clicks. How, then, do critics move beyond this deadlock? Who decides what is 'good' criticism? What, exactly, is the function of criticism at the present time? This panel discussion sees three critics examine the possibilities of literary criticism, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the critic. Together they pick apart these issues and attempt to propose a future for reviews that takes into account not only writers and editors, but readers and culture as a whole.  

This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.

The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Critics Eda Gunaydin, Michael Sun and Cher Tan examine the present state and potential futures of literary criticism.  Literary criticism seems to be in an endless state of decline. In so-called Australia, a particular flavour of cultural cringe is yoked to cultural hegemony: a critic might find themselves locked within the ivory tower, or self-censoring for fear of offence, or deliberately pursuing contrarianism for clicks. How, then, do critics move beyond this deadlock? Who decides what is 'good' criticism? What, exactly, is the function of criticism at the present time? This panel discussion sees three critics examine the possibilities of literary criticism, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the critic. Together they pick apart these issues and attempt to propose a future for reviews that takes into account not only writers and editors, but readers and culture as a whole.  This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural <a href="https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/event-series/liminal-festival">Liminal Festival</a>, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.
The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was <a href="https://amplifybookstore.com/">Amplify Bookstore</a>.
Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Liminal Festival: Critical Limit

Content warning: This recording includes occasional course language.

Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders discuss the careful craft of shaping a language unsettled.

Trace the contours of language, seek out its limits and push. Histories are cut up, struck through, misplaced, misremembered. Join Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders as they discuss the careful craft of ripping the empire’s language to shreds. In their work, these brilliant writers shift form in myriad ways; they render nonlinear temporalities and introduce new vocabularies; they wield opacities and yet share the dearest of intimacies. Thinking through poetry and prose, language and craft, these three writers share the shape of a language unsettled.

This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.

The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘A Seat at the Table’ by Auxjack.

Content warning: This recording includes occasional course language. Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders discuss the careful craft of shaping a language unsettled.
Trace the contours of language, seek out its limits and push. Histories are cut up, struck through, misplaced, misremembered. Join Evelyn Araluen, Hasib Hourani and Mykaela Saunders as they discuss the careful craft of ripping the empire’s language to shreds. In their work, these brilliant writers shift form in myriad ways; they render nonlinear temporalities and introduce new vocabularies; they wield opacities and yet share the dearest of intimacies. Thinking through poetry and prose, language and craft, these three writers share the shape of a language unsettled. This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural <a href="https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/event-series/liminal-festival">Liminal Festival</a>, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.
The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was <a href="https://amplifybookstore.com/">Amplify Bookstore</a>.
Featured music is ‘A Seat at the Table’ by Auxjack.

Liminal Festival: Language Under Occupation

International bestselling author Rebecca F. Kuang discusses her groundbreaking novel Yellowface and the future of storytelling at this exclusive Melbourne event.  

Investigating diversity, racism and cultural appropriation with the thrilling pace of a Twitter meltdown, Rebecca F. Kuang’s 2023 novel Yellowface captivated readers across literary and BookTok communities alike. In her only Melbourne event, Kuang discusses her successful career, plagiarism, privilege, and the state of the publishing industry with host Beverley Wang. 

A New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, Kuang’s previous works include the Poppy War trilogy and the dark academia novel Babel: An Arcane History, both of which garnered rave reviews. Yellowface is her fifth novel. 

Hear from a literary trailblazer about why she won’t write in the same genre twice and the overdue conversations she’s ignited in the publishing world.

This event was recorded on 12 March 2024 at Melbourne City Conference Centre.

The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘frosty’ by dozeoff.

International bestselling author Rebecca F. Kuang discusses her groundbreaking novel Yellowface and the future of storytelling at this exclusive Melbourne event.  
Investigating diversity, racism and cultural appropriation with the thrilling pace of a Twitter meltdown, Rebecca F. Kuang’s 2023 novel Yellowface captivated readers across literary and BookTok communities alike. In her only Melbourne event, Kuang discusses her successful career, plagiarism, privilege, and the state of the publishing industry with host Beverley Wang. 
A New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, Kuang’s previous works include the Poppy War trilogy and the dark academia novel Babel: An Arcane History, both of which garnered rave reviews. Yellowface is her fifth novel. 
Hear from a literary trailblazer about why she won’t write in the same genre twice and the overdue conversations she’s ignited in the publishing world.
This event was recorded on 12 March 2024 at Melbourne City Conference Centre.
The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.
Featured music is ‘frosty’ by dozeoff.

Liminal Festival: The Novel

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