This intriguing blend of fact and fiction is reminiscent of the best works of Gore Vidal and John Le Carre. When Roy Temple and his friends are accused of espionage in the Cold War era, a cloud of suspicion will linger over them for years, even threatening to bring down the Whitlam government. Old allegations cast long shadows and Roy’s fight to resolve Australia’s remarkable constitutional crisis is dogged by half-truths, misguided allegiances and insidious innuendo.

A compelling political drama, based on the sacking of Gough Whitlam in 1975, Dismissal is an insider’s view of the democratic roundabout with all its flaws and dynamic energies.

Nicholas Hasluck was born in Canberra, and is the son of a former Governor General. He worked in Fleet Street as an editorial assistant in the 1960s before returning to Australia to become a practising lawyer in Perth. He served as Deputy Chair of the Australia Council and later as Chair of the Literature Board. He has been Chair of the Commonwealth Writers Prize since 2006. In that role he has written widely, including a controversial recent piece: Thought Crimes and Other Themes in Commonwealth Literature. Twice short-listed for the prestigious Miles Franklin Prize, his previous works of fiction include The Bellarmine Jug, winner of The Age Book of the Year Award, and The Country Without Music, joint winner (with Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet) of the WA Premier’s Book Prize.

Bookings in advance essential. Book online or book and pay in the Library. Adults $10, pensioners and students $8 (passes must be shown). Enquiries 9978 4091.