Patrick Ness

Patrick Ness is one of those writers whose darkly complex books for children and teenagers transcend their intended audience, winning him fans of all ages – and deservedly so.

His Chaos Walking trilogy has been variously described as a dystopian love story with the atmosphere of a Western and ‘one of the most interesting fantasies ever published’; it’s also won a swag of prizes, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the Carnegie Medal.

His latest book for young readers is A Monster Calls, a heartbreaking story about cancer and loss, told through the metaphor of a yew tree that comes to life outside the bedroom of a boy whose mother is dying.

The Crane Wife is Ness’s first book for adult readers in many years – it’s a wise and romantic story about the creative imagination and the redemptive power of love.

Ness will be in conversation with Lili Wilkinson.

Patrick Ness appears as part of a double-bill with Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Book your discounted tickets to both sessions here.

This event is presented by the Wheeler Centre in association with the Melbourne Writers Festival.