Phil Brown

Being in the presence of the man many are now calling Australia’s greatest living writer is always an honour. It’s also a pleasant experience since David Malouf is a humble, gracious person and a pleasure to be with. It’s a bit daunting being his designated driver, however. Twice I have had the honour of ferrying him across Brisbane after interviews for Brisbane News. The first time, a year or so ago, I was halfway across the Story Bridge when I began to panic. What if I had a car accident and he bumped his head and suffered concussion or even, god forbid, amnesia? Would I be held responsible for damaging a literary lion and Queensland icon? Luckily we got to our destination safely. Likewise, recently, I had the honour of driving David to his next appointment. I drove slowly as we chatted away, terrified that we might have a bingle and that the great man could be injured. Needless to say we arrived safely and the legend lives on. Our interview on that occasion was about his new book, Ransom, a brilliant and evocative tale of Troy, told in Malouf’s spare but poetic prose. It’s about King Priam in particular, seeking to get back his son, Hector’s, defiled body from Achilles, the Greek warrior. David Malouf has put flesh on the bones of these Homeric characters and this book is already being regarded as a classic. It’s brilliant stuff by a writer who is rightly regarded as a modern master. He’s also very good company and I’m looking forward to ferrying him across old Brisbane town again in the not too distant future.