A First Place: from the award-winning author of Remembering Babylon, Ransom and Johnno

A collection of personal essays and writing from David Malouf to celebrate his 80th birthday.

‘A sublime meditation on this country in all of its illuminating contradictions.’ David Marr, The Monthly ‘Malouf is our best living interpreter of place and tradition’ Andrew Fuhrmann, The Sun-Herald ‘A First Place, is remarkable for its breadth of mind, its elegance and for an overall effect of something like wisdom.’ Peter Craven, The Age

Topography, geography, history. Multiculturalism, referendums, the constitution and national occasions. Parental and grandparental romances, the sensual and bountiful beauty of Brisbane, the mysterious offerings of Queenslander houses, and leaving home. The idea of a nation and the heart of its people. Being Australian and Australia’s relationship to the world. Putting ourselves on the map.

All these subjects, and more, are explored from the generous, questioning and original perspective of David Malouf.

At the heart of these pieces is the idea of home, where and what it is. What they illustrate is the formation of a man, an Australian and one of the best writers this country has produced.

PRAISE FOR DAVID MALOUF

‘Australia’s finest writer’ Miriam Cosic, The Australian ‘Malouf is a lyrical story-writer.’ Malcolm Knox, The Sydney Morning Herald ‘A richly imagistic writer, philosophical and literary in the best sense.’ Washington Post Book World ‘A first-rate writer-a sensitive historian of the spirit.’ Wall Street Journal