Rachel Kushner: Creation Lake

RMIT Culture and The Wheeler Centre present twice Booker Prize-nominated author Rachel Kushner, discussing her propulsive new eco-espionage novel in conversation with RMIT's Rebecca Harkins-Cross.

Rachel Kushner's new novel 'Creation Lake' tells the story of Sadie Smith, an American spy-for-hire working in the secretive world of privately contracted surveillance. Tasked with infiltrating a commune of anarchists in rural France, she becomes entranced by a mysterious cult-leader-like figure named Bruno Lacombe who believes that freedom from the pain of the modern condition can only be achieved through a return to the ancient past. 

'Creation Lake' is both a canny homage to French noir and an incisive critique of spy-novel clichés – more than that, it is stylish, witty and audaciously cerebral. Here, the two-time National Book Award finalist and Booker Prize-shortlisted author sits down to discuss this dazzling work of double-crossing, dark humour and dangerous games, with RMIT academic Rebecca Harkins-Cross.

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RMIT Study Expo

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The RMIT Study Expo is your chance to learn everything there is to know about your future study. Tour the Melbourne City campus and discover what RMIT has to offer.

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Rachel Kushner: Creation Lake

Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 04 Mar 2025

RMIT Culture and The Wheeler Centre present twice Booker Prize-nominated author Rachel Kushner, discussing her propulsive new eco-espionage novel in conversation with RMIT's Rebecca Harkins-Cross.

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Kara Swisher: Burn Book

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torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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