Christos Tsiolkas is an Australian author and playwright, born on April 21, 1965, in Melbourne. He is of Greek descent and has gained recognition for his powerful storytelling and exploration of complex themes such as identity, sexuality, and multiculturalism. His most famous novel, The Slap, was published in 2008 and has been adapted into a television series. Tsiolkas has received numerous awards for his work, including the Australian Literature Society Gold Medal and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award. His writing often challenges societal norms and provokes thought, making him a significant figure in contemporary Australian literature.