PA/05/13 31 January 2013
Australian author John Zubrzycki in India
Australian author and journalist John Zubrzycki is in India to talk about his latest book, The Mysterious Mr Jacob: Diamond Merchant, Magician and Spy. He appeared at the Jaipur Literature Festival and is also travelling to Kolkata and Hyderabad.
Named by William Dalrymple as “one of the best books of 2012”, The Mysterious Mr Jacob tells the intriguing tale of notorious jeweller Alexander Malcolm Jacob, who shot to fame when he tried to sell the world’s largest diamond to India’s richest prince. The deal sparked a scandal that rocked the highest echelons of the Raj.
“John Zubrzycki provides a fascinating insight into the intimate lives of historical personalities. His deep interest in Indian history, politics and culture means his books reward readers with a rich, masterful storytelling experience,” said Australian High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling.
John is best known in India for his book The Last Nizam. The riveting story about an Indian prince in the Australian outback remained on India’s non-fiction best seller list for most of 2007.
"In Kolkata and Hyderabad, John will visit several universities and speak with students and faculty. “This will be a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in an exchange with John Zubrzycki as he personalises the past and resurrects famous Indian figures from obscurity,” said the High Commissioner.
The general public can also meet John and hear him speak at his book readings at Oxford Bookstores in Kolkata and Hyderabad.
The tour is funded by the Australia-India Council. India has inspired the work of many great Australian writers and for the last 20 years, the Australia-India Council has brought Australian writers to soak up India’s wonders and connect with the people of one of the world’s greatest book-loving nations.
The tour is presented as part of Oz Fest – the biggest Australian cultural festival ever staged in India – in association with the Jaipur Literature Festival, Random House, Pan Macmillan, Oxford Bookstores and SPIC MACAY.
For more information on Oz Fest visit: www.ozfestindia.com, www.facebook.com/ozfestinindia or follow us on twitter @OzFestIndia.
John Zubrzycki’s program in Kolkata and Hyderabad
| City | Dates | Event |
| Kolkata | 29 January
30 January
31 January |
Book reading session at Oxford Bookstore - in conversation with Dr Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Editor, Editorial Pages, 6-7.30pm.
In conversation with the Vice Chancellor at the University of Burdwan, 9.30 am Interactive sessions with students at Jadavpur University, 3.30-5.30 pm Session at Calcutta University, Chandramukhi Kadambini Hall, Central Library Building, 12 noon. |
| Hyderabad |
1 February
3 February |
Session at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Session at the Osmania University College for Women, 11 Oxford Bookstore - in conversation with Vinod Daniel, Chairman, AusHeritage, 6-7.30 pm. Tresorie, The Park, 22 Raj Bhawan Road. |
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