Educational notes on: An imaginary Life - the video

These words, spoken by David Malouf in the film An Imaginary Life, sum up a central theme running through all his novels: the need for people to imaginatively possess the place where they live - to truly understand and accept it. This is the task of each new generation. As a novelist, Malouf is also involved in this exercise of the imagination; he is 'rewriting' the story of Australia, reinventing its history, culture and landscape. He is creating stories that help readers to engage more fully and dynamically with the place they inhabit.