Review of A Writing Life By Giulia Giuffré

Abstract

Addicted as I am to radio, and even some television interviews, I find written interviews irritating. For me this newish and it seems increasingly popular genre in literary studies poses difficulties for readers. The interviewed subject's responses are continually shaped and corralled by the interviewer; let them get on with it I want to cry. If they are too structured, interviews are dull or portentous, if not, simply redundant. If the interviewer is too prescriptive none of the suggestive possibilities hinted at in the responses are explored; if too sensitive all of the questions we'd like to ask are curtailed by good taste These and other possibilities however are avoided in Giulia Giuffré's new collection of talks with Australian women writers. It's a lovely book.