After writing a novel, what is there to say? If a novelist could say it in a maxim, they wouldn't need 120,000 words, several years and sundry characters, plots and subplots, and so on. I'd much rather listen always. Richard Flanagan 000characterlisten share on social
What is missed when people talk about books is the moment of grace when the reader creates the book, lends it the authority of their life and soul. The books I love are me, have become me. Richard Flanagan authoritybookcreate Change image and share on social
The number of those identifying as Aborigine in Tasmania rapidly rose in the late 20th century. Richard Flanagan 20thaboriginecentury Change image and share on social
I had long wanted to write a love story, and I had long - wisely, I felt - shirked the challenge because I felt it the hardest story of all to write. Richard Flanagan challengefelthard Change image and share on social
In all the writers I admire, the common detonator is their courage to walk naked. Richard Flanagan admirecommoncourage Change image and share on social
I went to study at Oxford University in the 1980s on an imperial scholarship instituted by Cecil Rhodes. Richard Flanagan 1980scecilimperial Change image and share on social
We like love - we love love - but perhaps its only meaning lies in its ubiquitous meaninglessness. We apprehend it, we feel it, and we think we know it, yet we cannot say what we mean by it. Richard Flanagan apprehendfeellie Change image and share on social
The only accusation of Gillian Triggs with the ring of truth is that she has lost the confidence of the government - but then, so too has Tony Abbott. Richard Flanagan abbottaccusationconfidence Change image and share on social
In Australia, the Man Booker is sometimes seen as something of a chicken raffle. Richard Flanagan australiabookerchicken Change image and share on social
Unlike some mainland black groups, Tasmanian Aborigines now have no traditional tribal culture left. It was taken from them with great violence and great rapidity. Richard Flanagan aborigineblackculture Change image and share on social
