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From the Lighthouse is a literary podcast published out of the Department of English at Macquarie University. Your hosts Dr Stephanie Russo and Dr Michelle Hamadache love to talk about anything to do with books, from the latest bestsellers and prize-winners, film and television adaptations of books to bookish news. Join us as we chat all things literary. For more information visit the MQ English Department webpage at www.engl.mq.edu.au
Episodes
Sep 1, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
46 min
Stephanie Russo talks to the bestselling novelist Lev Grossman about his 2024 novel The Bright Sword, a retelling of the Arthurian legends after the death of King Arthur.
Sep 21, 2022
Sep 21, 2022
33 min
This week, Michelle talks with Kim Kelly about her latest book, The Rat-Catcher—long-listed for the Australian Historical Fiction Prize.
Kim Kelly is the author of twelve books, including the acclaimed novella Wild Chicory and bestselling novels The Blue Mile and Her Last Words. She is a book editor and reviewer as well, because too much narrative action is never enough. Her latest novella, The Rat Catcher: A Love Story, was shortlisted for Viva La Novella 2021, and longlisted for the 2022 Australian Historical Fiction prize. The Rat Catcher is published by Brio Books. Kim lives and writes on Wiradjuri Country, in central-western New South Wales.
The Rat Catcher is available in paperback and ebook and can be purchased from Booktopia here. The audiobook is available now. Find out more about Kim and her work here.
May 4, 2022
May 4, 2022
56 min
Tessa Lunney, author of the Kiki Button historical espionage series, talks with Michelle Hamadache about Paris, plotting and how the present can galvanise the past when writing historical fiction.
Mar 27, 2019
Mar 27, 2019
36 min
Mary Queen of Scots seems to be having a moment, with new films and plays about the Scottish queen's relationship with her cousin, Elizabeth I, recently released. This week, Michelle and Jimmy chat to Steph about one of her favourite subjects: the enduring appeal of Tudor queens.
Aug 16, 2017
Aug 16, 2017
57 min
Georgette Heyer wrote crime and historical novels, but is most widely known for her best-selling and beloved Regency romances. Stephanie is joined on the podcast this week by her fellow Heyer tragic, Dr Lee O'Brien, to talk about all things Regency and romantic. They discuss romance heroes, dog sidekicks, Beau Brummell, historical research, and what to do about your problematic faves.