Robbie Arnott (author of ‘Limberlost’) and David Whish-Wilson (‘The Sawdust House’) in conversation about their new books.
Hobart Bookshop, 5:30 pm Wednesday 26th October
This is a double Author Event with David Whish-Wilson and Robbie Arnott talking to each other about their newly released books The Sawdust House and Limberlost.
The Sawdust House is a historical fiction set in San Francisco, 1856. Based on the true story of Australia’s first major sporting export, Irish-born James ‘Yankee’ Sullivan, a ‘notorious man’ formed in the crucible of the Australian convict system. Incarcerated by the Committee of Vigilance and watching his fellow prisoners being taken away to be hanged the convict tells a story of triumph and tragedy: of his daring escape from penal servitude in Australia; how he became America’s most celebrated boxer; and how he met the true love of his life.
In Tasmania in the heat of a long summer, Ned hunts rabbits in a river valley, hoping the pelts will earn him enough money to buy a small boat. His two brothers are away at war, their whereabouts unknown. His father and older sister struggle to hold things together on the family orchard, Limberlost. Desperate to ignore it all, Ned dreams of open water. Ned’s choices that summer come to shape the course of his life, the fate of his family and the future of the valley, with its seasons of death and rebirth.
David Whish-Wilson is the author of eight novels and three creative non-fiction books. He has been shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award on multiple occasions and Sawdust House was recently long listed for the 2022 ARA Historical Fiction Prize.
Limberlost is Robbie Arnott’s third novel after his acclaimed debut, Flames (2018), and Miles Franklin shortlisted The Rain Heron (2020). Robbie Lives in Hobart.
About the event:
This is a ticketed event ($5.00) being held at The Hobart Bookshop on Wednesday the 26th October, where tickets include a complimentary glass of wine.