History Lessons

In both the bestselling novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and its recently published sequel, All the Broken Places, John Boyne has taken on the difficult terrain of fictionalising the Holocaust. But how should novelists write about this period? Does historical accuracy matter? Are these contemporary novels written to stir our collective conscience or to remind us of the moral choices individuals make in dangerous times? Join us as Boyne reflects on these issues in the context of his novels for adults and younger readers.

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John Boyne is the author of 14 novels for adults, six for younger readers and a collection of short stories. Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, John’s other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Loneliness, have been widely praised and are international bestsellers. His latest novel is All The Broken Places.

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History Lessons

Jonathan Green has been an editor, writer, commentator and broadcaster in a 40-year career. He left The Age in 2006 to edit Crikey. After three years there, he moved to the ABC as founding editor of ABC Online’s The Drum. He was editor of Meanjin from 2015 to 2022. He now presents Blueprint for Living on ABC Radio National and the ABC podcast Return Ticket. He is the author of Around Australia In 80 Days and The Year My Politics Broke.

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Life is a Brief Affair
History Lessons

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