Join bestselling author Heather Morris—renowned for The Tattooist of Auschwitz—as she discusses her new novel, The Wish.
A poignant contemporary story of courage, resilience, and the power of human connection, The Wish follows the unexpected friendship between a seriously ill teenager and a reclusive young man. Their bond transforms not only their own lives, but also those of the people around them, offering hope in the darkest of times.
Heather will be in conversation with opera singer Katherine Wiles, bringing a unique and nuanced perspective to this special event.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
HEATHER MORRIS:
Born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, HEATHER MORRIS has lived between Australia and New Zealand since 1971. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Monash University, she worked for over two decades in the Social Work department at a major Australian teaching and research hospital. During this time, Heather continued to pursue her lifelong passion for storytelling, enrolling in professional scriptwriting courses in both Australia and the USA.
In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly man who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Lale’s story formed the basis for The Tattooist of Auschwitz, published in 2018, and for the follow-up novel, Cilka’s Journey (2019). Three Sisters (2021), the story of three Holocaust survivors who knew Lale from their time in Auschwitz-Birkenau, concluded the Tattooist trilogy. The Tattooist of Auschwitz went on to become one of the 21st century’s bestselling books, and in 2024 an adaptation of the novel was released as a Stan Original Series, to wide acclaim.
Together, Heather’s books have so far sold over 19 million copies worldwide. The Wish is Heather’s first contemporary novel. It was inspired by her years spent working in a busy public hospital, alongside families facing the toughest of times with love and courage.
KATHERINE WILES:
Australian-New Zealand opera singer Katherine Wiles has been a permanent member of the Opera Australia Chorus since 2007. She has performed and understudied several principal roles with Opera Australia, State Opera South Australia, New Zealand Opera and several companies throughout the United Kingdom. Her career highlights include performing at the Edinburgh Festival; guest soloist onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, Scotland; touring Australia with the 60th-anniversary production of My Fair Lady, directed by Dame Julie Andrews; and performing in the Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the University of Auckland; FTCL Voice from Trinity College, London; and a Master of Music (Advanced Opera) from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is the Australian Ambassadorial Advisor for the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, New Zealand, and continues to perform full-time with Opera Australia.
ABOUT THE VENUE:
BALMAIN LIBRARY - UNCLE BOB WEBB CHAMBERS is accessible from the library
If you have any access or support requirements in order to participate fully, please let us know in the booking order form to ensure that we can arrange any reasonable adjustments. Please note: the venue is accessible for people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
We may take photos and video of the speakers and audience. See details here