I’m interested in what you say about the commentary we should also read regarding racism in Coonardoo. My copy has a foreword by KSP, but that’s all. Is the commentary you suggest readily accessible?
Liked your first video, Nathan! Lots of interesting observations, almost all of which I agree with. Not sure I agree that KSP writes about a lost/past Australia — there are so many things she has to say in her work that resonate today (e.g., workers’ rights; racism; exploitation; war; power of money, and much more). You’re right about teaching Coonardoo — the minute you start, only a few students get it, the rest are worrying about what kind of a mark they’ll get for it in the HSC and only look for all the ‘right bits’ that’ll work in an exam. Oh well, can certainly understand.
So pleased Writers NSW chose KSP for a series — about time.
Nathan Hobby, a biographer in Perth 
👍
Sent from my iPhone
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I’m interested in what you say about the commentary we should also read regarding racism in Coonardoo. My copy has a foreword by KSP, but that’s all. Is the commentary you suggest readily accessible?
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Sorry for my late reply Lisa – Jeanine Lean’s article is here: https://overland.org.au/previous-issues/issue-225/feature-jeanine-leane/; Larissa Berendht’s response is in her book Finding Eliza.
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Thanks, will read it now…
PS I started Coonardoo the day before yesterday:)
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Liked your first video, Nathan! Lots of interesting observations, almost all of which I agree with. Not sure I agree that KSP writes about a lost/past Australia — there are so many things she has to say in her work that resonate today (e.g., workers’ rights; racism; exploitation; war; power of money, and much more). You’re right about teaching Coonardoo — the minute you start, only a few students get it, the rest are worrying about what kind of a mark they’ll get for it in the HSC and only look for all the ‘right bits’ that’ll work in an exam. Oh well, can certainly understand.
So pleased Writers NSW chose KSP for a series — about time.
Denise
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Thanks Denise, and I agree with you about the relevance of KSP’s novels – it’s just the way of life which seems lost to me.
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