The Modern Novel

Biography

Richard Flanagan was born in Longford, Tasmania in 1961. He left school at age sixteen to become a carpenter. In the late 70s he got a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University but returned to Australia doing menial jobs to support his writing. He has been a political activist (having come from family with strong political convictions), lobbying on a variety of issues, including gay rights, the environment and aboriginal rights. As well as being an activist for the Greens, he has written on environmental issues and the Greens. His second book, The Sound of One Hand Clapping, about post-war immigrants coming to Australia, has been made into a film, directed by Flanagan.

Other links

Richard Flanagan
Richard Flanagan
Richard Flanagan
Richard Flanagan
The selling-out of Tasmania (article by Flanagan)
Out of Control The tragedy of Tasmania’s forests (article by Flanagan)
Tasmania (article by Flanagan)
Author, Richard Flanagan accused of betraying Tasmania
Interview