From the Lighthouse

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. 

The Myth, the Heights, the Poetry and the Dogs: 200 Years of Emily Bronte

Emily Bronte was born on 30 July 1818: 200 years ago this month. To celebrate her 200th birthday, Stephanie was joined by Dr Lee O'Brien to discuss the Bronte myth, Wuthering Heights, poetry, and dogs.

Trauma and the Possibility of Change: An Interview with Meera Atkinson

Meera Atkinson's Traumata is an innovative mix of memoir and cultural criticism, in the vein of Maggie Nelson's The Argonauts. This week, Stephanie chats to Meera about writing about trauma, the #metoo movement, and the possibility of change.

 

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

From the Filmhouse with Stephanie and Kirstin: Reviewing Mary Shelley (2018)

Mary Shelley's life was just made for the screen. Or was it? This week, Stephanie heads off to the movies with Dr Kirstin Mills to see the new Mary Shelley film, and they give their verdict.

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. 

Bonus Episode: Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair with Alison Key

English Department student Alison Key reviews Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair in this creative podcast produced as an assessment task for the unit ENGL303 Narrative and the Novel.

Bonus Episode: George Saunders's Lincoln in the Bardo with Tiana Visnjic

English Department student Tiana Visnjic reviews George Saunders's Lincoln in the Bardo in this creative podcast produced as an assessment task for the unit ENGL303 Narrative and the Novel.

Bonus Episode - IASPR Interview with Jodi McAlister

Stephanie interviews Dr Jodi McAlister, Lecturer at Deakin University and graduate of Macquarie University, at the 2018 IASPR Conference. They talk about her research on The Bachelor, romance novels, and more.