Creative Writing Commons^™

A New Map Of The Universe : A Novel And Accompanying Essay, Annabel Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis comprises a novel entitled A New Map of the Universe and an accompanying essay. The novel tells the story of a young architect named Grace Darlowe, who is struggling with her very first project: the design of a house for her lover, Michael. Grace struggles partly because she is uncertain about the future of her relationship with Michael, but her insecurities are more deeply rooted in her troubled relationship with her mother, Madeleine. Embittered by grief, Madeleine blames Grace for her husband Peter's death and resents Grace's choice to follow her father in becoming an architect. Grace is …

Fame, Sex And Other Types Of Criminality, Rob Finlayson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis consists of two parts. First, a novel manuscript titled 'Fame, Sex and Other Types of Criminality' and, second, an essay discussing ideas used in the creation of the novel.

The novel uses ironic and satiric devices to explore aspects of the culture of narcissism in contemporary Australia. The plot sees a group of characters set out to write a television show in order to achieve their individual goals. An underlying crime subplot results in the characters' desires being thwarted. The novel makes extensive use of references to philosophical, psychoanalytical and political texts to explore issues surrounding desire, the …