On October 12, 2021 Della Mae W. presented on Clive James, continuing the theme of authors of Australia and New Zealand.

Clive James was the prolific author of literary criticism, fiction, non-fiction and poetry as well as being a TV presenter, AND completing a translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy. In his obituary, his frient Adam Gopnik of the New Yorker said “appraisal was his greatest gift”.

Della Mae reminded me of his humour, which I remember from watching him on TV in the 80’s and 90’s. After her presentation, I checked out is column in the Guardian, “Reports of My Death” which ran in the latter years of his life, when he had received a possibly imminently fatal diagnosis. His humour and intelligence shines thru that column.

Della Mae’s summary can be found here: calgarywomensliteraryclub.com/clive-james/.

Shawna M.