Apologies for going off-piste for so long. I’m not actually in East London at present, but back in the land of The Slap, much like Wee Birdy. For those who haven’t read the book, by Christos Tsiolkas, it has a very simple and brilliant premise – a brat is slapped at a backyard barbecue, setting off all sorts of repercussions reflecting the beliefs and backgrounds of those present (an affluent, multicultural lot, very typical of Melbourne I suppose). It’s currently screening in Australia as a miniseries, with the beautiful British actor Sophie Okonedo playing one of the lead roles (in the book this character is Indian, but apparently Okonedo was so good in the auditions they rewrote the part).
I enjoyed the book. Actually I hated it; it makes for very uncomfortable reading, but I couldn’t put it down. I saw an interview with Tsiolkas recently and he said he wrote it very fast after coming home from a barbecue, and it does read as a kind of exuberant, slightly off-the-cuff novel (although I’m sure it wasn’t to write). Afterwards, though, I read his previous novel, Dead Europe, and that is fantastic – beautiful writing, dense, sinister – an Australian’s jaunt around Europe with a bloody twist. So really I’d recommend that.
It’s been acquired by the BBC so look out for it. If you thought Australia was all kangaroos and farmers in flannel shirts, prepare to be shocked.
Hi, just came across your blog. A nice read, thank you. Just thought I’d mention, in case you had missed it, that The Slap is up to part 4 of 8 parts on bbc 4 and i-player. So far really great. A little taste of home minus the kangaroos and farmers for this long term in London Aussie
Thanks Emily. We are on to the final episode tomorrow night here in Australia…. and yeah I know what you mean about minus the farmers and kangaroos. It’s a relief to see a realistic (if rather uncomfortable) representation of Australians.