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Writers on Writers: Stan Grant on Thomas Keneally

11 May 2021

Acclaimed journalist Stan Grant and author and screenwriter Christos Tsiolkas came together to celebrate and discuss the launch of Stan's new book On Thomas Keneally.

On Thomas Keneally is the latest instalment of the Writers on Writers series, in which leading writers reflect on another Australian writer who has inspired and influenced them. Provocative and crisp, these books start a fresh conversation between past and present, shed new light on the craft of writing, and introduce some intriguing and talented authors and their work.

In his book, Stan weaves literary criticism, philosophy and memoir to shed light on The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith. Drawing parallels with Indigenous writers Tara June Winch and Bruce Pascoe, Grant re-examines Keneally’s novel, raising questions about identity, modernity and storytelling.

Watch a recording of the seminar in the gallery above.

About the author

Stan Grant is the ABC’s international affairs analyst, and the vice-chancellor’s chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt University. He won the 2015 Walkley Award for coverage of Indigenous affairs and is the author of On Thomas Keneally, The Australian dream, Australia day, The tears of strangers and Talking to my country.

About the host

Christos Tsiolkas is the author of six novels, the publisher of a short story collection and two monographs and has had many of his works adapted for the stage and the screen. He is also a playwright, essayist, screenwriter, and film reviewer for The Saturday Paper. Christos is an alum of The University of Melbourne, a patron of Writers Victoria, an ambassador for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and is a co-host of Superfluity on 3RRR.

Buy your copy of On Thomas Keneally.

Writers on Writers is a collaboration between independent publisher Black Inc., the University of Melbourne and State Library Victoria. Find out more about past authors published in the Writers on Writers series.