In 1909 a troupe of musically talented kids left Melbourne on a world tour. Eight months later on a steamy night in South India, twenty-five of the children walked out on their manager, accusing him of abuse and exploitation. Based on true events and born of an Asialink residency eight years ago, we launch Kirsty Murray’s latest novel India Dark. Join Kirsty in conversation about the book, projections of images from turn-of-last-century India, and celebratory winter refreshments.Daisy opened her mouth and lies flew out. Her face so pink and white, her lips so plump and sweet, her lies so vile. I had to cover my ears. I shut my eyes, wanting to block out the courtroom, to neither see nor hear the evil: but Tilly grabbed my arm and twisted the skin on my wrist in a Chinese burn. 'Poesy Swift,' she whispered, her breath hot against my neck, 'open your eyes, and take that look off your face. We will never get home if you ruin everything.'
Kirsty Murray is the author of many novels including The Secret Life of Maeve Lee Kwong, Zarconi's Magic Flying Fish (winner of the WA Premier's Children's Book Award, 2001), Market Blues and Walking Home with Marie Claire. She has also written the Children of the Wind series in addition to several non-fiction books for children. She has worked as a forest ranger, archivist, artist and teacher, and now is a full-time writer.
Patron: Neilma Sidney
Date: Thursday 5th August 2010
Time: 6-7.30pm
Venue: Yasuko Myer Room, Level 1, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne
Cost: Free
Enquiries: Adam Hills, a.hills@asialink.unimelb.edu.au, 03 9035 4026
More information here.
