Introducing Sophie Cunningham
Posted by: Reading Victoria Moderator
26 November 2008
Sophie Cunningham is the next Summer Read author blogging from 26 – 30 November.
Sophie has worked as an editor, publisher and journalist since 1989. Her first novel, Geography, was published in 2004. She is currently the editor of Meanjin and working on a novel This Devastating Fever, about Leonard Woolf’s time as a colonial administrator in Ceylon.
Her book Bird is one of the books on the Summer Read shortlist.
Bird tells the story of Ana-Sofia’s mother Anna Davidoff – ‘Bird’ – a famous wartime refugee, fifties movie starlet, sixties party girl and drug-charged acolyte of the jazz greats. Anna Davidoff went on to become a Buddhist nun and finally died alone in a Himalyan cave. Ana-Sofia now feels the need to confront the ghosts of the past; to find out who Anna was.
As part of the free Summer Read events across Victoria, Sophie will be appearing at:
- Yea Library on Tuesday 3 February 2009, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
For more information phone 5797 2209
- Mildura Library on Wednesday 11 February 2009, 7.30 – 8.00 pm
For more information phone 5018 8350
What Sophie says about summer reading
“Summer is a time I try to read for fun, rather than work. This often means a thriller of science fiction novel – two genres that I enjoy a lot, and that have the advantage of not triggering the ‘at work’ part of my brain. I also like to read books about the place I’m holidaying in. This year I’m lucky enough to be going to Vietnam so I plan to read a book that I’ve never read but always wanted to: The Quiet American by Graham Greene.”
November 30, 2008 at 12:00 pm
You can’t beat the book when it comes to The Quiet American - although I have to say the film surprised me. I really didn’t think that Brendan Fraser would be able to do it justice, but he was OK.
I also like to read the book first for exactly the same reason as you Sophie. I’m so pleased that I was able to read Breakfast at Tiffany’s before seeing the film. Audrey Hepburn is gorgeous but I’m glad I have Truman Capote’s Holly in my head - which is such an amazing contrast to how she is presented in the film (not to mention the ending!). Apparently Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe for the role, now wouldn’t that have been different!
November 27, 2008 at 5:33 pm
You’ve basically said what I think generally about book related films, in such a succinct way. Although, sometimes, I have found that with a difficult book, or one where you’re wasting time stumbling over names and therefore losing the plot and flow of the story, it can be kind of liberating (that seems weird) to sit back and have someone lay out the colours, facial features, accent and pronunciation for you. I often feel lazy during these times…thats also where the hate part of the relationship comes back in again…how can I ever go back to that book when, as you say, things are now concrete and therefore limiting….
November 27, 2008 at 11:33 am
I loved the film The Quiet American - but I think that’s because I hadn’t read the book when I saw it. I almost never enjoy the film if it happens the other way around because I’ve become attached to the images and ideas that the author evoked for me. Once something is a film these things become more concrete in a way that is limiting.
November 26, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Hi Sophie,
Your comment about going to Vietnam and reading “The quiet American” interested me. I haven’t actually read that myself, but I often choose a book because its related in some way to where I am, where I’m going or my frame of mind. I’ve tried to read books before that seemed a hopeless case, but then in the right environment, they or I seem to just blossom! I also wonder whether you’ve seen that film, as I believe its a movie also isn’t it? I also have an intriguing love hate relationship with books and related films….would love to know your thoughts about that
Fiona