Christos Tsiolkas, a distinguished author known for his unflinching portrayal of life in Melbourne, once emphasized the importance of capturing the everyday essence of a city to truly comprehend its soul. He has masterfully captured the authentic spirit of Melbourne, rivaled perhaps only by Helen Garner in this regard.
Meeting the 58-year-old author in the suburbs of Melbourne, where his literary narratives often unfold, feels like a thrilling encounter with the essence of his work. These suburbs have been the backdrop for stories of familial conflict (as in “The Slap”), the journey of a troubled swimming prodigy (“Barracuda”), and the exploits of a young gay Greek-Australian navigating a day filled with encounters with handjobs and cocaine (“Loaded”).
Our rendezvous begins in a fitting location: a Vinnies thrift store. Tsiolkas, ahead of my arrival, has already uncovered treasures, including a Jill Scott CD and Michael Haneke’s “71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance” on DVD, complete with an ancient Video Ezy sticker. He reveals that the CD was pilfered from his house during a party, while the Haneke film is a personal favorite.
Tsiolkas has resided in Preston for 23 years with his partner, Wayne. His latest novel, “The In-Between,” commences in this very locale. The story revolves around Perry, who, fresh from ending a decade-long affair with a married lover, prepares for his first date with Ivan, a robust gardener from Bonbeach. Both men are in their 50s and have endured the trials of love. “The In-Between” is a departure from Tsiolkas’ previous works, characterized by its remarkable tenderness—a quality I appreciate and convey to him during our conversation.
During our discussion, I discover that Tsiolkas possesses a habit of pausing abruptly, even in the middle of a street, when he is determined to emphasize a point—a testament to his unwavering commitment to authentic storytelling and capturing life’s intricate nuances.