Who else, but a writer, is really able to interrogate the work of other writers? From Christina Stead, Les Murray and Patrick White to Proust, Shakespeare and Charlotte Bronte, David Malouf reads and examines the work of writers who have challenged, inspired and entertained us for generations. He also explores his own work and the life of the writer, where the ever - present danger is spending too much time talking about writing and not enough doing it. These alternative views of some of our best - loved writers and readers will send us scurrying back to read Jane Eyre, Such is Life, Kipling and of course, David Malouf.