ANU / The Canberra Times Meet the Author series
Hugh Mackay will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on Hugh's two new books, The Inner Self, and his novel, The Question of Love. This is a virtual live event.
Hugh Mackay introduces us to The Inner Self and the joy of discovering who we really are. Drawing on a lifetime of pioneering research, Hugh explores the ways we hide from the truth about ourselves in a powerful and important book.
We all have a constructed 'personal identity'. Through stories, research theory, Mackay explores our 'top 20' hiding places - from addiction to materialism, busyness to social media, nostalgia to victim hood - and empowers us to delve deeper and face the most searching question of all: "Who am I, really?" Mackay highlights the paradox of 'identity': when we look deeply inside ourselves to find our uniqueness, we find, instead, our common humanity.
'When we are more accepting of ourselves,' he writes, 'we become more accepting of others. When we acknowledge our own failings and frailties, we become more tolerant of others.'
Hugh's novel The Question of Love , is a fictional exploration of the human psyche and of the complexities and contradictions of love. Adapting the musical 'theme-and-variations' structure to the written word, The Question of Love centres on the marriage of Richard and Freya, who on the surface, are a perfect couple. Exploring parallel themes to The Inner Self, it is a novel of stunning originality.
Hugh Mackay AO is a social researcher and bestselling author of 21 books, including What Makes Us Tick, The Good Life and Australia Reimagined. Hugh is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and the Royal Society of NSW. In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, he has been awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt, Macquarie, UNSW, Western Sydney and Wollongong universities.
Alex Sloan AM, the 2017 Canberra Citizen of the Year, is a regular conversationalist for ANU Meet the Author events.
Signed copies of Hugh's books will be available for sale at Harry Hartog bookshop, ANU.
Q&A
If you would like to submit a question to be answered in conversation, please email events@anu.edu.au with your question for Hugh.
Details with live link will be emailed to participants shortly before the event.