Arnold Zable’s Cafe Scheherazade
Cafe Scheherazade, from Arnold Zable is the feature of our February Australian Classics Book Club.
Australian Classics Book Club
The Australian Classics Book Club is a monthly exploration of Australian writing; who we are, or perhaps aren’t, and what makes us tick. Each episode features a panel of authors, editors, publishers and critics. It’s a great way to look back and discover great Australian Writing.
Arnold Zable’s Cafe Scheherazade
Jewels & Ashes was the 1991 award winning memoir that debuted Arnold Zable’s writing. In 2001 he followed this success with a tale of the men and women who met at the iconic Cafe Scherazade in St Kilda’s Acland street. Arnold is the author of novels, journalism and memoir. He is also a lecturer, a human rights advocate and a former head of PEN Australia.
Until 2008, on Acland St, in Melbourne’s beach side suburb of St Kilda sat a Cafe named Scheherazade. The cafe had held a vital place for Melbourne’s jewish community ever since its founding by Avram and Masha Zeleznikow. Arnold Zable’s Cafe Scheherazade chronicles the voices and stories that filled the air of Scheherazade on a nightly basis; bearing witness to the history that had seen so many flee their homes in Europe and converge on Melbourne for a new beginning and a chance to heal.
Today’s Book Club features Bram Presser as well as a special guest in conversation with Andrew Pople.
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Final Draft is produced and presented by Andrew Pople
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