FREE LECTURE: CMSS Lecture Tour: Building Cultural Bridges Through Literature

Qaisra will talk about her work, read from her novels, including her latest work 'Revolt' and ' A Pair of Jeans & other stories'. She will discuss her writing life in Manchester from the age of 14, growing up as a migrant in Britain, with multiple identities, and how and why her country of origin Pakistan features in her work. Qaisra will also discuss how she uses her literary ie stories 'A Pair of Jeans' and novels - 'The Holy Woman' and 'Typhoon' studied at schools and universities, to engage in intercultural dialogue, to promote respect for faiths and cultures and to look beyond western norms. In particular she uses her literary work as a vehicle for exploring social and gender issues.

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Qaisra Shahraz is a prize-winning and critically acclaimed novelist and scriptwriter. Born in Pakistan, she has lived in Manchester (UK) since childhood and gained two Masters Degrees in English and European literature and scriptwriting. Qaisra was recognised as one of 100 influential Pakistani women in the Pakistan Power 100 List (2012). Previously, she was nominated for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards and for the Muslim News Awards for Excellence. Her novels, The Holy Woman, Typhoon and Revolt (2013), all published by Arcadia Books, have been translated into several languages. The Holy Woman (2001) won the Golden Jubilee Award and Qaisra’s work is customarily studied in schools and universities. A critical analysis of her oeuvre has been undertaken in The Holy and the Unholy: Critical Essays on Qaisra Shahraz’s Fiction (2011). She has another successful career in education, as a consultant, teacher trainer and inspector, and still manages to travel the world promoting her books and her message, and writing in between! She’s a fascinating and inspirational woman, and her books delve into the deepest reaches of many contemporary issues.

Friday 8 August 5pm Fox Lecture Theatre (G.59), UWA 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009

Saturday 9 August 5pm Boddington Community Library Boddington District High School, 25 Pollard St, Boddington, WA, 6390

The events are free but RSVPs are essential

To RSVP or for more information please contact James Davies [email protected] (08) 6488 4554