S3E1: Chris Brickell
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In this episode of Bad Diaries Podcast, Tracy talks with Chris Brickell about ferreting in the Hocken research collections, the joy of collaboration, and editing writers’ diaries for publication.
Tracy’s just back from a 6-week residency at Robert Lord Writers Cottage in Ōtepoti Dunedin, where she met Chris Brickell and Vanessa Manhire who, with Nonnita Rees, edited Robert Lord Diaries (OUP 2013). In this chat recorded for the podcast, Tracy starts by asking Chris whether it feels transgressive to open another person’s diary.
Chris is also editor of James Courage Diaries (OUP 2021), and Tracy and Chris talk about some of the similarities and differences between these two New Zealand writers, and the challenges – and rewards – of editing and publishing their diaries.
Chris Brickell is a Professor in the Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology Programme at University of Otago. He has written extensively on the history of gay men in Aotearoa New Zealand. His books include: Mates and Lovers: A History of Gay New Zealand (Godwit, 2008); Teenagers: The Rise of Youth Culture in New Zealand (AUP, 2017); Queer Objects (OUP, 2019, co-edited with Judith Collard); James Courage Diaries (OUP, 2021); and Robert Lord Diaries (OUP, 2023, co-edited with Vanessa Manhire and Nonnita Rees).
In this episode:
Here’s Chris’s website and blog and here’s his profile page on the University of Otago website
Tracy notes that she brought Robert Lord Diaries to our Xmas 2023 episode of Bad Diaries Podcast
We talk about Robert Lord Writers Cottage, which has offered residencies to writers since 2003 (Tracy held a residency there in April/May 2025)
We focus on James Courage Diaries (OUP, 2021), edited by Chris Brickell, which was a Times Literary Supplement 2022 Book of the Year
We focus on Robert Lord Diaries (OUP, 2023), edited by Chris Brickell, Vanessa Manhire and Nonnita Rees
Tracy quotes from ‘The Call Home’, originally published in North and South magazine in December 2023 (read it on Chris’s blog), in which Chris draws out some of the similarities or reflections to be found in the lives and diaries of Courage and Lord
We mention Chris’s book Mates and Lovers: A History of Gay New Zealand (Godwit, 2008), which won the 2009 Best First Book Award for Non-fiction at Montana New Zealand Book Awards, and was adapted for the stage
We mention Chris’s book Teenagers: The Rise of Youth Culture in New Zealand (AUP, 2017), which was longlisted for the Illustrated Non-Fiction Award of the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
We mention Queer Objects (OUP, 2019), edited by Chris Brickell and Judith Collard
Chris refers to the Hocken – the University of Otago’s Hocken Collections are a reference-only research library, archive and gallery open to the public; “Hocken's collections celebrate the histories, cultures and natural environments of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and Antarctica with special emphasis on southern New Zealand”
We both offer bouquets to Otago University Press, publishers of the Lord and Courage diaries (and many more fine books); Chris mentions Rachel Scott (publisher at OUP 2013—2021) and Fiona Moffat (designer, senior production editor at OUP)
Chris mentions ‘Muldoon’ and ‘Muldoonism’, referencing conservative National Party Robert Muldoon, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984
Chris mentions Playmarket, which was founded by Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell and Ian Fraser in 1973 to encourage the professional production of New Zealand plays; the first play licensed by Playmarket was Robert Lord’s Balance of Payments
Extras:
Here are reviews of Robert Lord Diaries in Aotearoa New Zealand Review of Books and in The Spinoff
Nonnita Rees speaks to RNZ’s Kim Hill about Robert Lord's work, friendships and his personal life beyond the stage – listen here
Chris Brickell writes about Robert Lord Diaries for Reading Room at Newsroom
Chris Brickell writes about James Courage Diaries for Reading Room at Newsroom
There’s more Courage and Lord writing on Chris’s blog, including: James Courage’s Promising Years; A Way of Love (on Courage); Robert’s Public and Private Lives (on Lord); Robert Lord’s America
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Bad Diaries Podcast is recorded and produced in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, on the iwi lands of Taranaki Whānui, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. Seasons 1 & 2 were also recorded in Naarm Melbourne, Australia, on the lands of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Mana Whenua, and to Elders past, present and emerging, of these lands.
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