From the Lighthouse

Observing Loneliness: Kazuo Ishiguro‘s Klara and the Sun

This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy Zoomed up to discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's latest novel, Klara and the Sun. Is it a brilliant but messy work, a difficult but rewarding experience, or an emotional but somewhat flawed masterpiece? Join them as they discuss this highly divisive novel.

Best Books of 2018 (re-uploaded)

This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy finally gather to talk about their favourite books (and film!) of 2018. Jimmy talks crime movies, Michelle talks about her love of deep, depressing books, and Stephanie cheats wildly.

Adam Courtenay's The Ship that Never Was

Part colonial history, part biography of James Porter, a convict transported to Van Diemen's Land under the rule of the tyrannical Governor Arthur, The Ship that Never War is a story of human tenacity and ingenuity in the face of unimaginably harsh conditions. Join Michelle Hamadache as she talks with Adam Courtenay about the incredible but true story of a group of convicts who stole a brand new ship from Macquarie Harbour and sailed it all the way to Chile.

For more info and some bonus materials, visit our website at: https://www.fromthelighthouse.org

Pinballs and Boiling Frogs: An interview with Australian feminist playwright Alison Lyssa

Alison Lyssa, playwright, writer and poet, discusses her groundbreaking feminist play Pinball. Pinball, a play about a young lesbian couple fighting the patriarchy for custody of one of the women's son, was labelled 'feminist chauvinist piggery' in the Australian Press in the 80s when it was first performed. Now a set-text in universities in the UK and re-staged by Duck Duck Goose in 2014, Pinball and its playwright, Alison Lyssa, remain cutting edge in contemporary Australia. 

Lexi Freiman's Inappropriation

Lexi Freiman's debut novel, Inappropriation, is a hilarious biting satire on identity politics, social media, high school, cyborgs, and pretty much everything else you can imagine. This week, Stephanie chats to Lexi about her novel, writing funny books, feminism, and high school formals. 

How do you solve a problem like Junot Diaz?

Just as our Contemporary Literature students were reading Junot Diaz, allegations of sexual harassment against the author emerged at the Sydney Writers Festival. Stephanie talked to three students from the class - Joanna Catsanos, Juliette Kaado and Jasmine Joyan - to discuss their reactions to the revelations. 

Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal: The Works of Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson is one of the UK's most beloved and challenging writers. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss Winterson's long career, from the publication of Oranges are Not the Only Fruit in 1985, to her recent (fabulously titled) memoir, Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?Wh

The Women's Prize for Fiction 2018 Longlist Show

The longlist for the Women's Prize was released on March 8, International Women's Day. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss the longlist: the books they've read, the books they want to read, and the snubs. 

For more info visit our website at: https://www.fromthelighthouse.org

The Power of Love, or Why We Read Romance Novels

Romance fiction is often unfairly maligned as silly and escapist, largely because of its association with a female readership, but in terms of popularity, nothing beats romance. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy discuss the phenomenal power of the romance novel with romance expert Associate Professor Hsu-Ming Teo. 

For more info visit our website at: https://www.fromthelighthouse.org/

Kazuo Ishiguro: An Artist of the Nobel World

Kazuo Ishiguro was recently awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature. This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy commend the Nobel Prize committee for their excellent choice. They talk Japanese cinema, floating worlds, perfect novels, and Stephanie offends Bob Dylan fans.