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The First Stone

Some Questions About Sex and Power

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The First Stone

Written by: Helen Garner
Narrated by: Helen Garner, Leigh Sales, Jennifer Vuletic
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About this listen

In the autumn of 1992, two young women students at Melbourne University went to the police claiming that they had been indecently assaulted at a party. The man they accused was the head of their co-ed residential college.

The controversial book that Helen Garner wrote about the resulting Ormond College sexual harassment case caused a social media storm. Prominent feminists were outraged at Garner's perceived support for the man involved, but many saw her approach a necessary and much welcome nuance towards the power dynamic between men and women. Either way, The First Stone sparked a raging debate about sexual harassment in Australia, making it easy to see why even now, 25 years on, the book is no less sharp, no less relevant and no less divisive.

This new edition, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of release, contains a foreword by Leigh Sales and an afterword by Garner's biographer, Bernadette Brennan. It also reprints David Leser's original 1995 Good Weekend interview with Helen Garner, and her own 1995 address 'The Fate of the First Stone'.

©1995 Helen Garner (P)2020 Bolinda Publishing Abuse Gender Issues Relationships Sexual Abuse & Harassment Social Sciences Women's Studies
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Critic Reviews

"Travelling with Garner along the complex paths of this sad story is, strangely enough, enjoyable. The First Stone [is] a book worth reading for its writing." (Sydney Morning Herald)

"Garner has ensured one thing: the debate about sexual harassment...will now have a very public airing. And it will have it in the language of experience to which all women and men have access." (The Age)

"This is writing of great boldness...an intense, eloquent and enthralling work." (The Australian)
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