Liminal Festival: The Novel

What is the future of the great Australian novel? Novelists Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao contemplate the novel, the nation and its literature with Lynda Ng. 

Marking 30 years since Brian Castro considered the ‘new novel’, three of Australia’s most talented contemporary novelists discuss the future of the form. Is there such a thing as a ‘Great Australian Novel’, or have twentieth-century paradigms expired? What, exactly, does greatness have to do with fiction? How does the novel relate to the nation? Dr Lynda Ng, lecturer in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne, is joined by Jessica Au, Brian Castro and André Dao as they consider the novel, the nation, and the boundaries that shape them.  

This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.

The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘Kick Back’ by james.lfo.

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