It’s that magical time of year when it’s totally OK - nay, encouraged - to go full nerd. Sydney Writers’ Festival is coming to town from 30 April - 6 May and is popping up in its new home base at Carriageworks in Redfern.
This is The Year of Power and the programming team have certainly lined up some A-grade scribes who have both power and passion. So what are the unmissable talks this year? We know this is incredibly subjective but here’s where we will be waiting in line for autographs this year.
1. Opening Address: André Aciman, Min Jin Lee and Alexis Okeowo
Tuesday May 1st 6.30pm Carriageworks
In this unmissable opening night event, three of the world’s most celebrated writers each deliver an address on the Sydney Writers’ Festival theme of power. Acclaimed novelist André Aciman (Call Me by Your Name and Enigma Variations), award-winning author Min Jin Lee (Pachinko) and Alexis Okeowo, award-winning author of A Moonless, Starless Sky take to the stage to examine how power relates to politics, money, sex and identity, and the ability of literature, storytelling and reportage to redress power imbalances in modern times.
2. Sagaland
Thursday May 3rd 1.30pm Carriageworks
ABC’s Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason are good friends connected by an unusual bond: a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland. Saga Land is the account of their journey across the island nation to uncover the true stories of the first Viking families who settled there in the Middle Ages, as well as Kári’s own quest to resolve a longstanding family mystery. The two appear in conversation with Tony Birch to discuss their travels and the folklore of a starkly beautiful country.
3. Jane Harper
Friday May 4th 10am Carriageworks
Jane Harper’s Force of Nature is the follow-up thriller to the runaway success of her debut, The Dry, which was sold into more than 20 countries and optioned for a film adaption by Reese Witherspoon. It continues the story of Australian police officer Aaron Falk, this time as he traces the disappearance of a missing bushwalker who was the crucial whistle-blower in his latest case. In conversation with ABC RN’s The Hub on Books host Claire Nichols, the bestselling Australian author talks about the book and her remarkable success.
4. Hugh Mackay: Australia Reimagined
Friday May 4th 10am Carriageworks
One of the country’s most esteemed social researchers, Hugh Mackay, believes that despite 26 years of uninterrupted economic growth, Australia is experiencing a worsening societal crisis. Income inequality is widening, we no longer trust our political leaders, and people are more anxious and socially fragmented than ever. In conversation with George Megalogenis, the acclaimed author talks about Australia Reimagined, his uplifting and passionate reflection on where we’ve gone wrong and how to build a more compassionate and cohesive society.
5. Sarah Krasnostein: The Trauma Cleaner
Saturday May 5th 10am Carriageworks
Sarah Krasnostein spent four years researching the life of trauma cleaner Sandra Pankhurst, visiting squalid homes and watching her bring order and care to her client’s lives. Sarah discovered that Sandra has lived many lives: neglected foster child, husband and father, drag queen, gender confirmation patient, sex worker and trophy wife. The award-winning biography, The Trauma Cleaner, became one of the most discussed non-fiction books of the year. Ashley Hay talks to Sarah about how she uncovered the story of a fascinating woman who restores order among the despair of others.
