Though rarely heretical, Richard Flanagan’s essays have a ferocious moral force

Richard Flanagan’s latest collection of essays, titled Heresies, consists of 24 pieces published between 2009 and 2025. Flanagan, known primarily for his novels, has also established himself as a formidable writer of non-fiction. His essays cover a wide range of topics close to his heart and demonstrate his deep thinking and extensive reading. Many of these essays were initially published in publications such as The Guardian, The Monthly, literary festivals, the National Press Club, and the Garma Festival.

Flanagan’s writing style tends to lean towards demotic rhythms, making his arguments more accessible to a general audience. While some may argue that collections of occasional pieces are not significant, Flanagan’s renown justifies their inclusion. These essays serve as a record of his public stances and are also compelling in their own right. Flanagan is a gifted storyteller, and even when he is furious or indignant, he rarely fails to deliver powerful phrasing.

Known for his novels including The Sound of One Hand Clapping (1997), Gould’s Book of Fish (2001), and The Narrow Road to the Deep North (2013), Flanagan won the Man Booker Prize and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Fiction in 2014 for the latter. The latter novel, inspired by his father’s experience on the Burma Railway, was also adapted as a miniseries on Amazon Prime. Flanagan is also a skillful writer of non-fiction, bringing a combative approach and a sense of humor to his subjects.

In Heresies, Flanagan’s essays often bristle with a fierce observation of the world. In one essay, Flanagan loosely characterizes the young Rebecca West as someone who jumped onto the shoulders of famous people to gain prominence, using book reviewing as a convenient platform for her actions. Flanagan’s own essays showcase this same ferocity of observation.

Despite Flanagan’s apparent embarrassment about his writing career, he repeatedly emphasizes that literature is not the only important thing. He has been known to interrupt his prepared speeches at literary festivals to address pressing issues, such as the tragic death of an asylum seeker or internal emails from the Manus Island detention facility. Flanagan seeks to remind his audience that while literature is important, there are bigger issues to address.

The term "heresy" traditionally refers to opposing a fundamental tenet of one’s faith. However, many of Flanagan’s contributions can be seen as polemical critiques of government policies. While not heretical, they are part of the accepted debate within the establishment. The most heretical essay in the collection is titled "The New Victorians," published in The Guardian in 2018. This essay criticizes cancel culture in the literary world, defending the right to speak even for those whose views are controversial.