Words bring Freo to life
Fremantle has a proud history of creative types residing, working or driven to write within its limits. The city has had hundreds of stories written about it – and many yet to be written – by authors who take their cue from the people, sights, sounds, smells, history and landscape.
Much-loved author Tim Winton writes of his inescapable ties to the ocean and the coast, is a fervent Dockers supporter and retains a home here. A sense of place has always been vital to his work and in books like Eyrie, Fremantle is very much a character.
Comedian, author and adopted son Ben Elton spends part of his time in Freo while artist-writer Shaun Tan alongside award-winning sci-fi writer K.A. Bedford were born here.
If it’s adventure you crave between the pages, read about The Catalpa Rescue (by Australian journalist Peter FitzSimons) where six Irish political prisoners, who in April 1876 escaped from the most remote prison in the British Empire – Fremantle Prison. Poet and activist John Boyle O’Reilly wrote WA’s first novel Moondyne (1879) about life as a convict and advised on how the prisoners might escape – which included buying a whaling ship, which led to the Catalpa rescue.
Some of the stories about Fremantle include, being led to the port city in Shore Leave by crime writer David Whish-Wilson, where a PI investigates the death of two women and the link to a US navy vessel. Lovers of literary fiction meet Eleanor and her dog Warren during a warm Fremantle summer in Craig Silvey’s debut novel Rhubarb.
Recent books set here include The Little Boat on Trusting Lane by local resident Mel Hall and Sharron Booth’s The Silence of Water, both from local publishing house Fremantle Press. Novelist Liz Byrski lives near Fremantle and her latest novel At the End of the Day visits the city while Emma Young’s The Last Bookshop features a photograph of the Bill Campbell Bookshop in High Street on its cover.
Living in a southern suburb of the city, Indigenous writer of merit Kim Scott’s work explores identity, race and history, as did work from Sally Morgan (My Place) and late playwright, poet and activist Jack Davis. Another Freo resident is Joan London, whose book Gilgamesh refers to Fremantle as a safe harbour for refugees.
Reading is a great way to kick start a burst of inspiration, so set aside some serious browsing time for the perfect book at the city’s bookshops. Invite the kids too so they can discover their inner reader or storyteller.
Searching for wordy inspiration for your own story? A saltwater dip can do wonders for the cobwebs and writer’s block and Fremantle is spoilt for beaches.
If you are a literary lover, don't miss the Perth Festival's Writers Weekend at Fremantle Arts Centre on 26 and 27 February. Dive into the theme of connection and hear from authors in conversation. Some authors will speak live while others will appear via live stream from across the country and around the world.
