Garner’s new non-fiction book, This House of Grief, tells the story of Robert Farquharson: an ordinary man who committed an unthinkable crime.
On Father’s Day in 2005, Farquharson murdered his three sons – aged ten, seven and two – by driving them into a farm dam near Winchelsea in Victoria’s south-west.
He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2009, he won the right to a retrial but was again convicted of murder on 22 July 2010.
Garner’s book depicts the intricate twists and turns of the trial with ease.
Helen Garner popped by to sign copies of her latest book, The House of Grief (@text_publishing) pic.twitter.com/I3FAV55OwQ
— Riverbend Books (@RiverbendBooks) September 4, 2014
This House of Grief has all the trademark Helen Garner touches: harrowing scenes recorded without restraint or censorship; touching observations of characters’ weaknesses; wry moments of humour. And also customary with Garner’s work, her words, and the boys’ fate, will haunt us long after we’ve turned the last page.
~ Guardian Australia
Garner will be in conversation with journalism academic Erdem Koç.
All staff and students are welcome.
Date: Wednesday, 8 October, 2014
Time: 10.00am
Location: ELT 6, La Trobe University
