Writer and straight-talking activist Lionel Shriver isn’t afraid of controversy. 

Her 13 novels, including We Need To Talk About Kevin, Big Brother, The Post-Birthday World and most recently, The Mandibles, have explored themes like motherhood, obesity, economic collapse, America’s health system, and terrorism – uncomfortable realities written from an outsider’s perspective. 

Lionel opens this year’s Festival with her reflections on why we identify with each other in communities, and how belonging to one group shouldn’t preclude us from exploring another. As a writer who inhabits unfamiliar and sometimes unlikeable characters, Lionel is a firm believer in branching out beyond the world she inhabits. 

With her trademark candour and dry wit, Lionel discusses breaking boundaries, and how writing about the unknown is a form of connection in itself.

For more on Lionel Shriver, read our Artist Highlight.

An AUSLAN interpreter will present at this event.