The launch of Australian author Karen Martin’s feminist novel Delphi was held on Sunday at the Greek Centre, drawing a large and engaged audience.
‘Delphi’ is the second book in Martin’s Women Unveiled series and continues the journey of Cressida, the protagonist, as she returns to Crete and seeks guidance from the Oracle of Delphi to confront and heal the wounds of her past.
Dean Kalimniou, the keynote speaker, praised the novel as a profound exploration of psychological trauma and memory.
“Karen Martin’s text becomes a meditation on trauma, its linguistic expression, and the role of memory in shaping individual and cultural identities,” Kalimniou said.
He highlighted the novel’s incorporation of psychoanalytic, post-structural, and sociocultural theories, alongside its engagement with myths of primordial violence and redemption.
Kaliminou added, “Through the deconstruction of language and her connection to chthonic deities, Cressida ultimately embraces the Delphic maxim to ‘know herself,’ allowing her to work through her past and symbolically save the world.”
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, offering the audience a chance to delve deeper into the themes of the book and engage directly with the author.
‘Delphi’ continues to build on the critical acclaim of Martin’s Women Unveiled series, promising a compelling narrative that resonates with readers exploring identity, trauma, and self-discovery.
