The Wheel Deal
Paul Kelly sang a song.
Judith Lucy dealt with a gabbling mother – though not her own, she discovered.
Chloe Hooper took Aesop to task.
All twelve writers had their virtues at last week’s Melbourne launch of the Wheeler Centre (the new hub for Books, Writing & Ideas). I went with some mates, along with 2000 other bodies, and my posse spent the aftermath arguing over dumplings as to the evening’s pick. Which writer cast the strongest spell?
Consensus was fraught, though we did seem to give universal endorsement to Shane Maloney for his shambolic stagger down memory lane, using his father’s unpublished memoir as street directory. His schtick is dry, wise, surprising – and here for you to enjoy on the Wheeler’s site. (Keep skulking the site, in fact, and you may encounter another familiar name in the next week or so.)
Available on the same platform is the other coterie fave of the night: Cate Kennedy. This classy writer scorned any notes to depict her wild bugger of a grandad. The yarns are as good as the Kennedyesque finish to the tribute: a grace note about who we are, and how we’ll be remembered.
Treat yourself. Both renditions are beautiful for different reasons. And look out for the other left-field bolter of the evening, John Safran, in his own ancestral roasting. For that matter, click any of the twelve literati – you won’t be short-changed.