Annabel Crabb Instagram – Okay. I knew that Ann Patchett of @parnassusbooks would be a fun person to interview because like anyone who’s read her books and essays, I know that she is observant and smart and powered by decency. But wow. She really exhibited a turn of speed last night and interviewing her was like being on a very powerful motorbike, not always sure of who’s driving but not caring because the EXHILARATION is so intense. So many funny moments. Also I got heckled by my Dad from the audience … not a first for me, but a first for the @sydwritersfest audience and – I’m pretty confident – a first for Patchett. (I asked what it was that made her sure even from her early 20s that she didn’t want to have children and she paused for about TEN SECONDS and I thought oh god is she going to tell me to get knotted and then Dad yells “Ya don’t have to answer that” from the front row. Then she unspools just such a rousing, intimate, funny, scorching set of insights I could have, I don’t know, cheered or kissed her and anyway it was superb and thanks for your assistance Pop Crabb. He’s coming the Great Debate tonight at Town Hall too so stand by for more banana skins to be thrown in my oratorical path). But also the best thing was sitting next to this fabulous visiting American writer and seeing her respond to the always smart and funny and optimistic Uncle Michael West welcoming us to Gadigal land. The spine chilling performance by @jazzmoney_______ whose poetry hit the note of our times; uncertainty, fear, powerlessness, yet unaccountably stained with hope we can’t wash out. Also, watching Ann Patchett witness an Arts minister @jgnswmlc declare that this state will not tolerate book banning in any circumstance. And then afterwards @jetlagmama materializes with her collection of biscuits she has iced as various Patchett book covers and my other friend @kristy_reads who named her cat after Ann. Ann: “Well I do know a person who named their dog Patchett, so now I have a dog AND a cat! Can a ferret be far away?” Anyway … well, in dark times it felt like a good night. There are so many good things on at the festival – get along if you’re able to.