Heresies

by Richard Flanagan

From Manus to MONA to birds to the Black Summer, from the destruction of our natural world to the hope offered by Indigenous Australia to the growing corrosion of democracy, from Salman Rushdie to the Segal Report, family and love, Flanagan’s non-fiction writings carry the author’s trademark elegance, subversive wit, and humanity.

This showcase of Richard Flanagan’s heretical brilliance over twenty years speaks to the heart of our troubled times now.

'Heresy allows a writer to write freely, allows writing to be an act of joy that arises from the same deep place where laughter lives, countering the farce of dogma with the reality of life ... Perhaps for any of us to write of hope, to write of love, we must learn once more to be free, and to embrace heresy.’

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Richard Flanagan (born 1961) is an author, historian and film director from Tasmania, Australia. He was president of the Tasmania University Union and a Rhodes Scholar. Each of his novels has attracted major praise. His first, Death of a River Guide (1994), was short-listed for the Miles Franklin Award, as were his next two, The Sound of One Hand Clapping (1997) and Gould's Book of Fish (2001). His earlier, non-fiction titles include books about the Gordon River, student issues, and the story of conman John Friedrich.
Two of his novels are set on the West Coast of Tasmania; where he lived in the township of Rosebery as a child. Death of a River Guide relates to the Franklin River, Gould's Book of Fish to the Macquarie Harbour Penal Station, and The Sound of One Hand Clapping to the Hydro settlements in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

I borrowed a copy of ‘Heresies’ from my local library. I read it, returned it and bought my own copy.

Why?

Because apart from the pleasure I derive in reading Richard Flanagan’s prose, each of the articles in this collection invites me to think about what is written and question some of my own assumptions and conclusions. Previous conclusions may need revisiting, or at least re-examining.

As I prepare for my next visit ‘home’ to Tasmania later this year (which will include visits to both MONA and Bruny Island), I particularly enjoyed ‘The Shadow Line’.

I need to revisit ‘Does Writing Matter? My focus shifted as I thought about Tasmanian novels and was confronted by the true stories reflecting the reality of those lives obscured by ‘NAME REDACTED’. There are several issues contained within this piece and a reminder that ‘There is such a thing as a people’s honour.’

And ‘Heresies’ is another uncomfortable reminder. I am a few years older than Richard Flanagan, and I remember being taught at school in Launceston in the 1960s that there were no longer any Tasmanian Aborigines. They had, we were told, all died. While I now know this is not true, I wish history had been more accessible and honest. We didn’t learn much about convict transportation either, and no-one in my immediate family would admit to having any convict ancestors. Another untruth.

Each of the pieces in this collection takes me beyond Richard Flanagan’s writing and reminds me that free speech is important. Especially now, in an increasingly polarised world where considered and researched views of events are often replaced by headline grabbing analysis-free content.
These pieces were first published between 2009 and 2025.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Janelle]

A collection of articles and speeches written between 2009 and 2025.

[Ash]

Another masterpiece - I don't think there is any doubt that Flanagan can lay claim to being one of Australia's very finest. These essays are heartbreaking, angry and passionate. Flanagan holds us all to account. It should be mandatory for all of us to read this work. There lies the problem, it's the kind of work politicians don't want you to read.

[Kim]

An erudite essay collection on contemporary Australian issues. I could listen to Richard Flanagan all day, every day. It's hopeful when your favourite writer shares the same opinions.

[Lyndon]

HERESIES is an eclectic collection that doesn’t quite seem to hang together—searing takedowns of the government and passionate pleas to support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament sit somewhat awkwardly alongside introductions to beloved books.

That said, the best of these pieces sting like a burn. In ancient plays, blind prophets would speak truth to power. Richard Flanagan is our nation’s conscience. I hope we are listening.

[Kim Parish]

The book rightfully draws again our attention to the issues and complexities of life in Australia together with the ongoing blinkering of the truths. He is once again to be commended for standing up and putting his neck out to encourage us as a nation to grow up. It is unfortunate that while most of the passages were written a while back and one senses therefore an easy to put together new book, there is a sadness that not much has changed let alone improved.

[Peter Holz]

This is a collection, in essay form, of the author's opinions on a diverse range of topics including asylum seekers, freedom of speech, the importance of literature, the climate crisis, the Indigenous Voice and what it means to be Australian. Each essay appears to have been written in response to a particular event or issue. Taken as a collection, separate from the circumstances that initiated them, they feel a bit disconnected and lacking in some relevance, as their genesis ranges from 2009 to the present day. As an example, the author argued strongly for the "Yes" vote in the 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum. Unfortunately, the "No" vote won the day. A follow up essay of the author's reactions to this result would have completed the piece. Some repetition occurred between essays that covered the same topic. While the opinions expressed were strong and important, this disparate collection was possibly not the best way to showcase them.

[Jim Rimmer]

These wide ranging essays and speeches from one of Austalia's most highly praised authors should bring readers to tears. It documents our country's descent into mealy mouthed weasel words from its supposed leaders, accompanied by hollow promises and outright deceit. All while a significant portion of the population compliantly sleepwalk to the edge of oblivion.

Released at a time when bad actors are attempting to divide Australia further still, Heresies should be a clarion call for those whom demand more, a fair and just vision for our future.

[John]

Flanagan attacks what some see good about Australia in a series of previously published articles conveniently brought together here. It’s a refreshing bucket of cold water. Subjects include David Walsh and MONA, Scott Morrison’s shocking handling of bushfires amongst other things, Albanese’s weak self-protective handling of just about everything, including asylum seekers, betrayal of First Nations. We don’t come out well as Australians and it’s heresy to say so.

[lyny]

A book of collected essays from various publications – all beautifully evocative and indicative of the values he has brought through his body of writings on things such as the cancellation of writers, the orthodoxies of writers’ festivals, environmentalism, etc.

[Eve]

*3.75 stars 🪶

[Lisa]

Blunt, honest, confronting and very necessary right now. Sent me off to watch Flanagan speak about the book, about his concerns for our wonderful environment, for our future.

[Rachel]

Such a smart, calmly spoken and articulated man. We can all learn so much from his outlook on life as well as these essays.