Rocky author exposes literary love at writers' festivals
Published on 25 August, 2006
Rockhampton author Dr Ann-Marie Priest’s highly acclaimed debut book on the love lives of 20th century writers has earned her an invitation to attend the Melbourne and Brisbane writers’ festivals in the coming weeks.
The CQU academic’s recently launched book (May 2006), 'Great Writers, Great Loves: The Reinvention of Love in the Twentieth Century', explores the love lives of 8 20th century writers and shows how they radically transformed our ideas of romantic love.
She has received glowing comments from the critics, creating Priest as a name to reckon with in the literary arena.
“Once you start reading about these writers, you’ll find this a difficult book to put down ... This is an absolutely fascinating book, and viewing the life and work of these writers through the prism of their often extraordinary loves makes for compelling reading.” (Canberra Times).
Priest conducted a solo session on Thursday August 31 at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival titled 'Great Loves, Great Books'. The session was hosted in the Merlyn Theatre at The CUB Malthouse, Southbank.
In this session Priest spoke about the impact of some great writers on our conceptions of love.
Priest will also take part in a panel session at the Brisbane Writers’ Festival on Thursday, September 14 at 9pm, titled 'The Reinvention of Love', at the Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse. Joining Priest on the panel will be Skye Rogers (author of the memoir 'Drink Me') and Lionel Shriver (whose latest novel, 'We Need to Talk about Kevin', won the 2005 Orange Prize for Fiction). The session will be chaired by multi-award-winning novelist Gary Crew.
Also on the agenda for Priest is a panel session on Sunday, September 17, at 11.15am, titled 'Great Writers, Great Loves: Life, Love and Literature', at the Blue Marquee, South Bank, with philosopher John Armstrong (University of Melbourne), whose latest book is 'Love, Life, Goethe: How to be Happy in an Imperfect World'. This session will be chaired by bioethicist Professor Derek Morgan.
There will be book signings after all events.
'Great Writers, Great Loves: The Reinvention of Love in the Twentieth Century' is available from all good book stores at RRP $ 29.95.
Photo above: Dr Ann-Marie Priest with her book 'Great Writers, Great Loves: The Reinvention of Love in the Twentieth Century', and left, the front cover of the book.