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Fans Flock To Hear Writers (Press, 4 April 1988)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: Fans Flock To Hear Writers (Press, 4 April 1988)

The second New Zealand International Festival of the Arts in Wellington showcased its Writers' and Readers' Week with overwhelming attendance and enthusiasm from participants and audiences alike. On 4 April 1988, it was noted that long queues and packed venues reflected a strong community interest in literary events, as one audience member stated, "People are just starved for this sort of thing." The festival featured a dynamic programme that brought together thirteen international authors and approximately twenty New Zealand writers. Participants engaged in readings of prose and poetry, panel discussions, and conversations about their craft. Prominent figures included Margaret Drabble, whose popularity necessitated a venue change to accommodate over 600 attendees. Drabble discussed her academic project, "The Oxford Companion to English Literature," and shared insights about her latest novel, "The Radiant Way," which explores the lives of three women in 1980s England. She also announced a sequel in the works. Another highlight was Michael Holroyd, who charmed the crowd with anecdotes from his long-anticipated biography of George Bernard Shaw. Holroyd revealed insights about Shaw's romantic life while expressing his excitement about recent publishing advancements, as he received a significant advance for the project. Kazuo Ishiguro, who now lives in England, captivated audiences with his novels including "A Pale View of the Hills" and "An Artist of the Floating World," which was lauded for its elegant prose. Playwright John McGrath drew attention for his contributions to popular theatre and his work on "ZCars." Additionally, Robert McCrum provided a fascinating analysis of the diverse varieties of English language in his talk. Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje brought depth to the festival by discussing his novel "In the Skin of a Lion," which tells the story of immigrants who helped build Toronto and reflects his own journey of finding a home. Edmund White read from his novel "The Beautiful Room is Empty," igniting discussions around themes of identity and sexuality. Other notable speakers included Charles Mungoshi from Zimbabwe, who focused on relationships in his writing, and Gerhard Kopf from West Germany, who engaged attendees with his unique stories. New Zealand high-profile writers also participated, including Keri Hulme, Patricia Grace, and Roger Hall, demonstrating the abundant local writing talent. Despite challenges such as Cyclone Bola and air strikes, the week was regarded as a resounding success, with chairperson Ann Mallinson noting that the festival had exceeded expectations. Both New Zealand and overseas writers appreciated the opportunity to connect with enthusiastic audiences, while many audience members expressed delight in hearing from their favourite writers. Overall, the festival established itself as a vital platform for literary engagement and celebration in New Zealand.

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Publish Date:4th April 1988
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19880404_2_89_4.html