Introducing Alice Pung
Posted by: Reading Victoria Moderator
21 November 2008
Alice Pung is our first Summer Read author to blog from 22-25 November.
Alice was born in Footscray and grew up in Braybrook. She is a writer and lawyer, whose work has appeared in The Monthly, Good Weekend, The Australian, Meanjin, The Age, The Best Australian Stories 2007 and Etchings.
Her book Unpolished Gem won the 2007 Australian Newcomer of the Year award. Alice is editor of Growing Up Asian in Australia, one of the books on the Summer Read shortlist.
In this anthology, new and well-known Asian-Australian authors share their courageous and often humorous stories of leaving home and finding their feet. With authors spanning several generations, these stories show what it is really like to grow up both Asian and Australian.
As part of the free Summer Read events across Victoria, Alice will be appearing at:
- Footscray Library on Wednesday 11 February 2009 at 7pm
For more information and bookings phone 9688 0289 - Mill Park Library on Monday 23 February 2009 at 6.30pm
At this event Alice will launch the Mill Park Writers Group
For more information and bookings phone 9437 8189
What Alice says about summer reading
”I spent most of my adolescent summers in dark corners of the Footscray Library reading MAD magazine. I especially loved folding the back-page cryptic artwork (which could only be done in dark corners, as librarians don’t like their books origamied). At the end of every summer I emerged anaemic, but filled with blissful fits of hilarity.”
November 26, 2008 at 12:03 pm
For anyone (else) interested in a nostalgic moment inspired by Alice’s time in the library, there’s a collection of Mad MAgazine fold-ins on the NY Times web site.
November 24, 2008 at 10:27 am
I loved being reminded of a childhood spent reading in dark corners. If it wasn’t the library it was my bedroom cupboard, I know it sounds strange, but it was the only place I could read undisturbed, my brother and parents would come into my bedroom and call out for me and if I was really absorbed I wouldn’t even hear them. Also, there’s something wonderful about reading the Narnia Chronicles while actually in a cupboard!
November 22, 2008 at 12:00 am
I’ve read both of Alice’s books and have been stirred by thoughts, ideals, histories and lives shared by both Alice and the people who have shared in “Growing up Asian in Australia”. Good luck Alice, and can’t wait to hear your blogging thoughts!