Meet the author - Melissa Lucashenko

Miles Franklin award-winning author, Melissa Lucashenko, will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Melissa's new novel Edenglassie, which torches Queensland's colonial myths, while reimagining an Australian future.

Set in 1850s Brisbane, when it was called Edenglassie, and also in contemporary times, this brilliant story boldly reclaims and reframes the colonial narrative. Melissa Lucashenko tells two extraordinary stories set five generations apart. When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice.

Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate centenarian Grannie Eddie, and sparks fly, but not always in the right direction. What nobody knows is how far the legacies of the past will reach into their modern lives.

'A literary epic ... The tragedy, injustice and brutality of the British invasion are made visible in the historical setting as well as in the contemporary one, where we see its impact on the present-day characters, but Edenglassie also portrays deep hope, resistance and reverence, and is fierce in its commitment to building a rich life swelling with love.' Books + Publishing

Melissa Lucashenko is a Goorie (Aboriginal) author of Bundjalung and European heritage. Her first novel was published in 1997 and since then her work has received acclaim in many literary awards. Her sixth novel, Too Much Lip, won the 2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Queensland Premier's Award for a work of State Significance. It was also shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, the Stella Prize, two Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, two Queensland Literary Awards and two NSW Premier's Literary Awards. Melissa is a Walkley Award winner for her non-fiction, and a founding member of human rights organisation Sisters Inside. 

Alex Sloan AM has been a journalist for over 30 years, including as a long-time broadcaster with the ABC. Alex, who was named Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2017, is deputy chair of The Australia Institute, a director of The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and deputy chair of The ACT Writers Centre. Alex is a regular conversationalist in the Meet the Author series.

The vote of thanks will be given by Dr. Lucy Neave , Associate Professor, English and Creative Writing, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences. Lucy's second novel Believe in Me won the ACT 2022 Book of the Year prize. 

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Registration is required for this event.

Masks are no longer required indoors at ANU except in teaching and clinical settings.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from ACT Health regarding COVID-19.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

Symposium by University House Wine bar (Shop 13, 152 University Avenue, Acton, which is just next to the Kambri cultural centre) will now be open for dining after meet the author events. Food and wine details at https://unihouse.anu.edu.au/eat/symposium/. No bookings necessary.

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