Kirjahaku

In the distant future, a man downloads an ancient novel and instead of instantly transferring the novel into his brain, the man does something profound, he reads the text. As he reads the novel set in 1940s Townsville, he is involved in the story of Mr. Wilbur's immoral desires for Sam. 'The Cat' is perhaps Clarke's most daring novel: where innocence is betrayed, where reality is challenged, and where there is the possibility of moral redemption.

Drawing upon personal events, Clarke invites readers of his poetry to meet a romantic and sensitive soul. He explores death and desire, questions what it means to be good, and pays homage to the divine and nature, observing it with impressionist intensity. Moreover, the language is simple, yet blended with the ornate to create poetry of great beauty.

Inspired by a real-life 19th century scandal, Clarke deftly writes about the privileged world of the Victorian upper-class, where Hugh is forced by his overbearing mother, Lady Lillian, to conform to society's views concerning sex. Hugh's inquisitive and rebellious nature leads Lady Lillian to send the innocent young man away to Thorndike Academy to be educated according to English etiquette. Instead, his schooldays ignited forbidden desires for an older student, Edmund. However, it would be Hugh's affair with William, a working-class man, which would cause him so much angst as well as ecstasy.

Dans 'Le baiser du pecheur', Clarke raconte une histoire de trahison et de revanche se deroulant dans le France et le Maroc de la fin du dix-neuvieme siecle. Trois femmes sont attirees par le Don Juan Gabriel. Madame de Rosa souhaite l'utiliser comme l'instrument de sa revanche, tandis que Justine et Esmee auraient aime le voir s'echapper des confins de la societe. C'est un monde ou les ennemis sont toujours prets a frapper, comme Madame de Rosa, dont les actions ont des consequences dangereuses et tragiques pour elle-meme et ses deux adversaires. Leurs destinees sont imbriquees dans le cadre des conventions de la fin-du-siecle regulant la conduite des femmes, dictant que celles qui s'abandonnent au desir doivent en payer le prix.

On the verge of committing suicide, Cecile, a middle-aged woman, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, contemplates her life in Townsville, and with that of her husband, Alain - whom in hindsight she believes to have made a mistake in marrying. Cecile believes her marriage to be flawed because Alain is unsupportive of her artistic ambitions and her dreams of travelling. Compounding their mutual incompatibility is Alain's authoritarian mother, Eleanor, who stays with them in order to care for Cecile; but in reality, she undermines her son's marriage with her overpowering religious beliefs. Drawn into this marital melee is Julie, an old friend of Cecile's but the secret lover of Alain: the duo insidiously plan to profit from Cecile's death. In 'The Voices of Discontent', Clarke examines the effects of religion, disease, artistic ambition and adultery in an already unstable marriage, discovering that true love overcomes all of these obstacles.

'Death in Xanadu' is a savage indictment against the movie industry, and in this world of celluloid fantasy, the ultimate power belongs to the studio mogul Carlton Hislop, who can either destroy careers or create them - on the condition that they submit themselves to him. Author Aaron J Clarke turns a jaundiced eye on Xanadu, and the result is a depiction of a chain-smoking, heavy drinking, coke snorting, megalomaniac - not to mention perverse - movie mogul, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants and likewise, prevent his abhorrent desires from being publicized. Drawn into this scandal are the producers Tiffany, Lisa and Tony, in addition to the casting director, Kathy, who nominates child actors Frank and Freddie for roles in an upcoming film. Carlton becomes fixated on the young actors the moment he sees their audition. And so the malevolent man descends down a path of depravity, which ultimately leads to his humiliating escape from America and subsequent punishment in tropical Brazil.

Inside a stylish North Queenslander home, comforted by the calls of native creatures and classical tones, it appears the Baxters are an archetypal family, complete with happy marriage and diligent son. But 1968 is a time rife with religious controversy, political upheaval, and the constant looming threat of conscription. The appearance of conservative family values must be rigidly upheld - but what happens behind closed doors? Aaron J. Clarke's play, presented in typical eloquent style flourishing with sophisticated language, cracks open the hard exterior of his characters to reveal their innermost desires, secrets...And motives. How far would you push the boundaries for the one you love?