I was saddened to learn of the death of the Australian writer Glenda Adams this week. Glenda (as Glenda Felton) was one of the first honours students in Indonesian at the University of Sydney, writing a thesis on the Journeys of Purwolelono (although I have not been able to find a copy of the thesis in the departmental collection). Her first novel, Games of the Strong, was also based on her experiences of living in Indonesia, although it does not specifically identify the country as its location. Her Indonesian experiences coloured her other work, and in the 1990 issue of Australian Cultural History she wrote a moving reflection on her time in Yogya.
Glenda Adams was one of Australia's wittiest and most sensitive writers, as well as a leading teacher of creative writing at UTS, her passing leaves a large gap in our culture.
Comments
I am touched by you posting this on www. Yes, indeed she was one of our most perceptive and wittiest; it will be a long time before we see another writer and person like Glenda.
We were both at Syd. U, starting late 50s; I did history and anthrop honours, and focused on India. Glenda was ground breaking in her interest in Indonesia. As a writer and a person she had great honesty and integrity. Her writing lingered and coloured one's perceptions --especially of Indonesia.
Chris Furedy
furedy@yorku.ca
Posted by: Dr Chris Furedy | July 27, 2007 06:53 AM