On Saturday, 10 June 2023, the Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator of English at Thomas Hassall were pleased to attend and support a book launch at Narwee Baptist Church. The novel, ‘Colours’, is the first to be published of the author who many know around the College as that passionate, young English teacher, Mrs Guthrie. The secret of any dedicated English teacher is that she is also a writer, understanding from the inside the very skills being encouraged in her students. Rarely, though, does that parallel endeavour achieve recognition through publication, and Mrs Guthrie is heartily commended.
Yet, there is a significance to this novel that runs deeper than just personal accomplishment. The narrative concerns one teenager’s struggle to reconcile a growing awareness of his sexuality with a still-fledgling Christian faith. The text deals sensitively with the question of what it means to be gay and the need for Christian congregations to be places of sanctuary, understanding and healing, for all.
It is a subject matter that can be confronting and divisive in the contemporary context of inflammatory identity politics. In light of this, the novel does well to open a discussion about what a practical outworking of Christian love can look like, without denying or minimising the realities of our sin and fallenness.
‘Colours’ is published by Ark House Press, and will be available through Amazon.com.au and Koorong by the end of Term 2. Interested readers can check for updated links here: https://www.arkhousepress.com/colours/
Mr David Gawthorne
Faculty Coordinator - English