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Mardi McConnochie Wikipedia

Mardi McConnochie (1971- ) is an Australian author and playwright. She is the author of three novels, Coldwater (2001), The Snow Queen (2003) and Fivestar (2005), several plays and a series of novels for young adults.

McConnochie's novels, which have been praised for their vigorous plotting, vivid characterisation and humour, have consistently grappled with questions about celebrity and the possibilities open to women and women artists. The first, Coldwater, which was one of Washington Post|The Washington Post's Books of the Year and was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize|Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book (SE Asia and Pacific Region) transplanted the Bront??|Bront?? sisters to a penal colony off the New South Wales Coast, using the plight of the three to explore different approaches to art, life and love. The second, The Snow Queen was set in Adelaide, Australia|Adelaide told the story of a former Russian ballerina stranded in post-war Australia, and explored the obstacles facing artists trapped far from the centre in trying to find a voice of their own, a problem it tackled with humour and some sensitivity. It saw her voted one of The Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian Novelists. The third, Fivestar charted the rise and fall of an antipodean girl group more than a little reminiscent of The Spice Girls, and explored questions about the meaning of celebrity in contemporary society.

As well as novels McConnochie has written for the stage and for television. Her television credits include Home and Away|Home and Away, Always Greener|Always Greener, McLeod's Daughters|McLeod's Daughters and Pacific Drive|Pacific Drive. She has a PHD in English Literature from the University of Sydney.

McConnochie lives in Sydney with her partner, the novelist, James Bradley.

Category:1971 births|McConnochie, Mardi
Category:Women writers|McConnochie, Mardi
Category:Australian writers|McConnochie, Mardi

Last Modified:   2005-12-19