The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen: In Conversation with Kris Kneen
Stern, domineering, fiercely loving, Lotty Kneen—born Dragica—was always tight-lipped about her early life and family history. When their grandmother died recently, Kris finally felt at liberty to explore the questions that had nagged at them for so long. Hosted by Georgina Arnott.
In ‘The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen’ Kris sets out with a box containing their grandmother’s ashes, intending to trace the old woman’s early life in Slovenia and Egypt, and perhaps locate some remnants of family. Along the way they uncover the extraordinary story of the colony of Slovene women who became the nannies of choice for the wealthy Italians of pre-war Alexandria—and identifies as best they can the places where Lotty’s restless, demanding spirit will be at peace.
Kris Kneen is the award-winning author of fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Georgina Arnott is a historian and editor at Australian Book Review.