Loaded (novel)

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Loaded is the first novel by Australian writer Christos Tsiolkas. [1] It was first published in 1995, [2] and was adapted into the 1998 film Head On .

Contents

Plot

The novel describes twenty-four hours in the life of Ari, an angst-ridden, young, gay Greek Australian. [1] Ari travels across the city of Melbourne, Australia, taking speed, cocaine and marijuana whenever presented to him. [3] He is uncomfortable with his homosexuality; he favours hook-ups with anonymous, masculine suitors who debase or demean their own homosexuality; and he is regularly at odds with friends as well as family.

Publication

When Tsiolkas submitted the manuscript of Loaded to an independent publisher, it was rejected as "racist and homophobic". [4]

Adaptations

Loaded was adapted as an audio play by the Malthouse Theatre company in 2020. [5] A stage adaptation of the novel premiered on 5 May 2023 at the Malthouse Theatre. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 Montgomery, Isobel (18 June 2011). "Loaded by Christos Tsiolkas – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  2. James Bradley (November 2013). "Christos Tsiolkas' 'Barracuda'". The Monthly. Morry Schwartz . Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  3. Johnstone, Doug (26 June 2011). "Loaded, By Christos Tsiolkas - Another slap in the face of polite society". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. Free, David (12 October 2013). "Christos Tsiolkas: the view from the outside". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. Byrne, Tim (30 October 2020). "Loaded review – Christos Tsiolkas' hedonistic breakout novel becomes an exhilarating audio play". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  6. "Loaded review – Danny Ball is magnificent in Christos Tsiolkas adaptation". The Guardian. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.