Kate Grenville – October 2015

Mental Health Week – October 4-10 2015

Kate is one of Australia’s best-known authors. Since writing Bearded Ladies in 1984, Kate has published eight novels, three books about the writing process (one co-written with Sue Woolfe), and a memoir about writing The Secret River. Her best-known works are The Secret River, The Idea of Perfection, The Lieutenant and Lilian’s Story. Albion’s Story is the follow-up to Lilian’s Story told from the perspective of her sexually abusive father. Several of her novels have been made into major feature films. Kate holds a BA from Sydney University, an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado and an honorary Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Lilian’s Story
Allen & Unwin, 2008; ISBN 9781741754902
This is the story of Lilian Singer, born on ‘a wild night in the year of Federation’ into a stifling household which totally fails to subdue her…. Madness, cruelty and sexuality permeate the household but Lilian’s sights are set on education, love and – finally – her own transcendent forms of independence…. Lilian Singer is, or becomes, that rare being: an eccentric true to her own self whose story reaches out to touch and delight the most discerning reader. She radiates energy and vitality through every page of this striking work. Lilian’s Story is the most loved and enduring of Kate Grenville’s fictional creations.

Joan Makes History
University of Queensland Press, 1988; ISBN 9780702253515
Women were part of all the big moments of history – but reading history books, you wouldn’t think so. This is the story of an “everywoman”, Joan, who was present at all the famous moments of Australia’s European history. She gives her irreverent version of what went on, filling in the blanks that more solemn historians leave. Joan “makes” history because she was there too, but she also “makes” it by telling it afresh. In a light-hearted way, this book explores the idea of history itself – who gets written into it, who gets written out, and why. Lilian Singer, the protagonist of Lilian’s Story, has a minor but colourful role in this book, accompanying Joan on one or two of her adventures.