Book Review - Christina Stead and the Socialist Heritage, by Michael Ackland.

Abstract

Michael Ackland. Christina Stead and the Socialist Heritage. Amherst: Cambria Press, 2016. 288pp. A$109.99 Hardback; A$54.99 Gold E-book, Web Browser, Download PDF, Download iPad, Kindle, Nook, ePub Device. Perpetual No Expiration ISBN 9781604979336 <br/> I once boldly suggested to film director Bruce Beresford that he might consider making a film based on Christina Stead’s last, and masterful novel, I’m Dying Laughing. He read it and later gave me to understand that he thought it would be rather difficult to adapt for film because it revolved around talking and did not offer a great deal of action. He was right of course. So many of Stead’s novels are focussed on characters talking, arguing, deliberating and pontificating, and their topics are frequently complex, referential and highly political. They therefore require a lot from their reader.