Acclaimed author Anna Funder has taken up a new role as Professor of Practice in Creative Writing at the University of Sydney, but what's remarkable about her appointment is that she never formally studied creative writing herself. In fact, Funder's career trajectory is a testament to the power of self-directed learning and an unrelenting passion for storytelling.
Despite her esteemed position today, Funder's path to becoming a celebrated author was far from conventional. After completing a degree in international law, she embarked on a career with the Australian government before leaving it all behind at 37 to pursue writing full-time. This bold move was driven by an insatiable curiosity about human stories and a desire to delve into the complexities of East Germany's surveillance state.
Funder's seminal work, 'Stasiland', which explores the experiences of both perpetrators and survivors in East Germany, took shape during her time as a 20-year-old exchange student in West Berlin in the late 1980s. Her initial fascination with the subject matter gradually evolved into an urgent need to understand the dynamics at play.
After relocating to Berlin in 1997, Funder threw herself into researching and writing 'Stasiland', which went on to win the Samuel Johnson Prize (now the Baillie Gifford Prize) in 2004. The book's international success – it has been translated into over 28 languages – cemented her reputation as a formidable non-fiction writer.
Funder's subsequent works, including 'All That I Am', which reimagines resistance against Nazi Germany, and 'Wifedom', an exploration of Eileen O’Shaughnessy's contributions to George Orwell's life, showcase her commitment to uncovering overlooked narratives and challenging conventional perspectives. Her journey is a testament to the idea that with dedication and intellectual curiosity, one can forge a profound literary career without formal instruction in creative writing.