In thrilling news, we are welcoming back to the stage, the inestimable Hannah Kent, much-loved and award-winning author of Burial Rites and Devotion, as well as firm friend of Matilda Bookshop. Hannah will be launching her stunning memoir, Always Home, Always Homesick, a beautiful evocation of landscape, a writing life, ghosts and serendipity. Hannah will be in conversation with Matilda Bookshop's, Molly Murn, at 730pm on Monday April 28th, at beautiful Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace.

Always Home, Always Homesick is Hannah Kent's exquisite love letter to a land that has forged a nation of storytellers, her ode to the transcendent power of creativity, and her invitation to us all to join her in the realms of mystery, spirit and wonder. In a land of ethereal beauty, within a culture soaked in myth, a young woman discovers the story that will change her life. In 2003, seventeen-year-old Australian exchange student Hannah Kent arrives at Keflavík Airport in the middle of the Icelandic winter. That night she sleeps off her jet lag and bewilderment in the National Archives of Iceland, unaware that, years later, she will return to the same building to write Burial Rites, the haunting story of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the last woman executed in Iceland. The novel will go on to launch the author's stellar literary career and capture the hearts of readers across the globe.

Moving back and forth across two decades, between her year living in the small northern fishing village of Sauðárkrókur, to researching and writing Burial Rites, to delivering the opening night address to the 2023 Reykjavik International Literary Festival, Always Home, Always Homesick to contemplate the global influence of the sagas, the importance of storytelling amongst impoverished 18th and 19th century Icelanders, and Iceland’s rich folk history and supernatural traditions.

Hannah Kent's first novel, the multi award winning international bestseller, Burial Rites, was translated into over 30 languages and is being adapted for film. Her second novel, The Good People was translated into 10 languages, nominated for numerous awards and is also being adapted for film. Devotion, her third novel, published in 2021, won Booktopia's Favourite Australian Book, and was shortlisted for multiple industry awards. Her original feature film, Run Rabbit Run, was directed by Daina Reid and starred Sarah Snook. Hannah is also the co-founder of Kill Your Darlings, and has written for The New York Times, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, the Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Meanjin, Qantas Magazine and LitHub. She lives and works on Peramangk and Kaurna country.

Tickets are $20 or you can purchase Ticket + Book for $37 (Always Home, Always Homesick is $37 RRP) with the book to be collected at the event. Always Home, Always Homesick will be on sale for the night for $37. 

If you are unable to attend the event on the night, but would love a copy of the signed book delivered or posted to your South Australian address (free postage) after the event, please select Book Only ($37).

Location

Elder Hall
University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide South Australia 5155

Contact Details

08 8339 3931 or books@matildabookshop.com.au

 

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