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Arnold
Zable was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in
1947, and grew up in the inner Melbourne suburb
of Carlton. He attended Melbourne University and
Columbia University. He has travelled and lived
in the USA, India, Papua New Guinea, Europe, Southeast
Asia and China. He now lives in Melbourne with
his wife and son.
Zable's
first book, JEWELS
AND ASHES, is a moving account of
his own family's history and experiences
in both Europe and Australia. JEWELS
AND ASHES won five Australian literary
awards: the 1991 National Council Lysbeth
Cohen Award; the 1991 NSW Ethnic Affairs
Commission Award; the 1992 FAW ANA Literature
Award; the 1992 Braille Book of the Year
Award; and the 1992 Talking Book of the
Year award.
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He
is also the author of WANDERERS
AND DREAMERS, a history of Yiddish
theatre in Australia. CAFE
SCHEHERAZADE, Arnold's first work
of fiction, was published in February 2001,
to tremendous critical acclaim.
CAFE
SCHEHERAZADE is a compelling meditation on memory and
place. The novel traces the stories of the
survivors of war in eastern Europe, following
their journeys from their homeland to refuges
around the globe. Through intertwining narratives
Zable reveals much that cannot be destroyed
by war and hardship - the integrity of the
self and the ability to maintain a rich
culture in the face of profound dislocation.
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THE FIG TREE was
released in May 2002. THE
FIG TREE is tender book of haunting true
stories filled with memorable people, from families
in both Australia and Europe. Zable tells of the
lives of Jewish and Greek migrants to this country,
about refugees and wanderers, about actors, singers
and poets. These are stories about displaced people
coming to a new home, and as such they have a
tremendous relevance to our current refugee situation. |
| Arnold's second fiction novel, SCRAPS OF HEAVEN (Text, 2004) is set in Carlton, Melbourne in1958, back when it was a working-class suburb becoming home to many immigrant families trying to begin new lives and make sense of the old. |
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Arnold's latest publication is SEA OF MANY RETURNS, out through Text Publishing in June 2008.
For
many years Arnold has helped inspire students
of all levels. He has a particular talent with
male students and teachers constantly praise his
ability to motivate the most reluctant writers.
He has also worked extensively with gifted and
talented students. |
Themes
of Arnold's stories and talks include: the craft of
writing, how to use one's experiences and observations
in writing, the migrant experience, crossing cultural
boundaries, and literature in multi-cultural Australia.
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"Arnold
Zable was a fabulous, inspiring person to have in our
school for the Arts Festival. He was able to draw students
in who we have not been able to affect the same way.
In particular, he was a fabulous role model for the
boys. Many students who we hadn’t dreamed would
be inspired by reading and writing were suddenly enthralled
and signing up for further workshops with him."
- English
Coordinator, Goulburn Valley Grammar School"The
workshops worked extremely well. Students talked about
Arnold and how easy it was to get started on a piece
of writing where they had had difficulty before. Staff
who were able to attend noticed a difference in the
student interest level in writing and came away surprised
at the work accomplished."
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Monash Secondary College |
