ENGLISH

Friday 8 March marks International Women’s Day, a global holiday that is a focal point for the women’s rights movement. The English faculty are lucky to teach many profound texts that explore the plight of female protagonists and texts that navigate the intricacies of life written by incredible female authors. 

In honour of this important celebration of International Women’s Day I have reached out to teachers and students to give recognition to some of their favourite female authors. Please enjoy.

Teacher testimonials on their favourite female authors.

Dafina Spahiu

Dolly Alderton has become a recent favourite. Her memoir Everything I Know About Love beautifully explores female friendships and the trials and tribulations of being a young woman. Alderton's ability to be both raw and honest while also being hilarious and self-deprecating makes her a champion for women everywhere.

Nethmi Ranasinghe

I am going to highlight the author Cho Nam-Joo, known for her works like Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. This author is brilliant because through her books (specifically this one), she poses questions as well as triggers conversations around gender inequality and discrimination that still need to be made in the 21st century. Her writing also leaves readers feeling empathy and frustration around these issues. A great feminist fiction writer (also credited for propelling the feminist movement in South Korea).

A quote from her writing - "The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts and customs had not, which meant the world hadn't actually changed at all."

Lauren Maserow

My favourite female author is Zadie Smith and her debut novel White Teeth is one of my all-time favourites. I read it when I was 17 after my mum sent it to me as part of a care package when I was on exchange in Belgium. I loved that Smith was only 25 when it was published, and I later found out that she put so much of herself into that story. Smith is an astute writer, poetic, and nails relationships and the complex nature of humans, flaws and all. 

Chris Babidge

Annie Proulx became an overnight sensation when her debut collection of short stories was published and has spent a career being dubbed 'the greatest living author.' It can be tough to live up to such high praise, but as soon as I read her work (starting with the 90s classic The Shipping News) I was hooked. Whilst her prose can appear bleak to begin with, it transforms as the narrative progresses, revealing so much depth and humanity. No wonder she has been awarded a Pulitzer. She has a sense of humour too, when asked about how she crafts characters, she responded: “I’m one of the ones at a party where you can always tell the writer because I’m leaning against the wall watching everybody else have fun.”

Gillian Goldsworthy

My love of reading began with the Australian children's author, Alison Lester. Her books draw on the beauty of our country's landscape and how it inspires our imaginations. The magic of the ocean and sand came alive for me in Magic Beach, shaping my own holiday adventures to the seaside. Similarly, the message of Journey Home has stayed with me my whole life; welcoming others to "come inside and stay."  As a child, I also enjoyed the conversations with my mum in the Clive Eats Alligators series, choosing which character I would like to be in each scenario. Alison Lester's storytelling is what I love about reading. It is about seeing the world anew, developing empathy and stimulating conversations with those around us.  

Rachel Walker

Some of my favourite authors are Kate Grenville, Zadie Smith, Cate Kennedy, Maxine Beneba Clarke and Geraldine Brooks. I love the way they can bring me into an entirely different world, and I find it fascinating to be transported to another person's worldview and to see and understand their story. Kate Grenville's The Secret River, in particular, is a story that sticks with me. As a teacher of Aussie history, this novel gives great insight into what convict life was like in Australia and gives such a progressive and understanding description of the impact of the First Fleet on Indigenous Australians.

Student testimonials on their favourite female authors.

Finn Steven, Year 10

My favourite female author is Suzanne Collins with her excellent Hunger Games trilogy. No other book series hooked me in a way that made me read the entire trilogy within two months. Collins succeeds in combining action with drama and romance and makes it so that The Hunger Games trilogy would be one of the most entertaining book series you would ever read in your life.

Charlotte Nichols, Year 10

My favourite author/poet is Audre Lorde. She has been an inspirational woman to many and an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights Movement and Gay Rights Movement. Her writing is powerful and impactful, particularly her Who Said It Was Simple poem, discussing the very real idea of being discarded from one community because you are part of another. It is about the sense of belonging and identity, and that really resonates with me.

Shreya Panwar, Year 9

My favourite author is Veronica Roth who is an American short story novelist. When I read her books, I can feel a deep connection with the characters as if I have known them all my life. The way she describes things with such motivation truly inspires me to continue thriving in my English course this year. I particularly admire the Divergent trilogy, a captivating science fiction novel for young adults in post-apocalyptic Chicago. 

The main protagonist Beatrice embarks on a self-discovery and realises that she is a Divergent. Despite her differences, she finds herself entangled in a looming war that threatens everyone she loves. As a young dystopian literature lover, I enjoy how Veronica encourages readers to perceive the meaning of virtue and reflect on whether being “good” should be the primary goal of life. From this particular book, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of accepting one's individuality regardless of their differences or odds.

Soly Batkilin, Year 9

A captivating story, lying inside of a book cover, can keep me entertained for hours. Any worries I may have will disappear and it’s only me and my book that matter. Some of my favourite female authors include Amy Doak, Shannon Messenger, Karen M. McManus, Suzanne Collins and Kate Emery. I used to dislike reading but picking up Amy Doak’s Eleanor Jones is NOT a murderer sparked a new interest and now I read every day. I have come to realise how much I like to read because of Doak’s first fiction book about a girl who is falsely accused of murder. There are many books out there, but so far, Eleanor Jones is NOT a murderer has been my favourite as the author hooks you in from the very first line.

Charlotte Douglas

English Learning Area Manager