The author’s note that came with this clearly describes the intention in the writing of this book, to approach the issue of violence against wom4.5 ⭐️
The author’s note that came with this clearly describes the intention in the writing of this book, to approach the issue of violence against women, the issues that surround women every day and the seriousness of this troubling scourge that has overtaken society.
This book has a building feel of dread, pervasive in the way it made me feel, questioning what was happening with a group of friends who are suffering the loss of one of their own. Amongst this grief is an ever-present feeling of avoidance, each woman suffering different feelings of loss, despair and the devastating grief on top of the need to keep their own families afloat. There is much self-blame, much niggling of annoyance toward each other’s way of coping and an awful lot of introspection from this group of women who should not have to be facing so much trauma and despair. The past terrors have been left unsaid as the narrative unfolds, which works perfectly amongst the now as current events crescendo.
The idea was to have a weekend away to reconnect, but this has been overridden by this town’s own secret, another place, another group of men who are yet again not doing the right thing.
One of the women encounters one such man en route to the destination. Is it an overreaction the way she dealt with this? Is it ok for him to make her feel this way? The vague nature of this works here. The back-and-forth way the narrative takes us on makes us question the overall way in which men treat women in the negative, and how much those surrounding us fail to act. Wittingly or otherwise. There is so much to unpack in this area.
This trio of women have their weekend shattered unexpectedly, a small country town with ghosts of their own. I’m not sure if all readers will be happy with the outcome of parts of the narrative, but this story packs one hell of a strong punch. The collective women have a strong moral compass.
An important and topical read, written with an alarming thread of importance and a seriousness that unfortunately cannot be avoided any longer. A contemplative read which I thoroughly recommend. I am very glad Martine has started writing fiction.
Thank you @betterreadingau and Ultimo Press for my physical copy to read and review....more
Louise has covered addiction perfectly; it is what happens. ‘Rules do not app⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was outstanding.
I have decided it is MY BOOK OF THE YEAR.
Louise has covered addiction perfectly; it is what happens. ‘Rules do not apply’ to the addict. The heartbreak of not caring for your child, your family, your mum, your health. Rotten teeth. Selfishness and a complete abandon of self. I know this first hand to be the case, and my copy will now be passed on to family member who I know will see the similarities the way I do.. This is a debut which completely knocks that word out of the park.
Marnie has always been there for Lenny, she’s 63, she should be ready for some quiet times, to potter around and be free. She has not been this at all, ever since Lenny found trouble at an early age.
This is not just a story of the now, and the fallout of the addiction, it follows Marie’s past and the wonderful people who formed the wonderful woman we see today. Others have helped her along the way and continue to. The ensemble characters I loved, I felt embraced just as I wished Marnie did, a little more than she let on.
Centrelink, our financial government assistance program, plays a main role in this one, the limits and the good and bad players involved here. Marnie advocated for her grandbabies when no one else would.
“I took them away because I didn't want to look at them anymore, Lenny and Bray, lying there all over my bed with their crap all over my flat. Off their faces, useless — the kids on the floor, on a doona, both wet right up their T-shirts to their necks, sucking on an empty bottle, both sucking on the same bottle because there wasn't anything else”.
My most high recommendation. I’d love to share my copy when my family are finished with this! Congratulations on this remarkable debut, Louise. You have my heart with this one. How did you know this theme so well?
Thank you #textpublishing for my #gifted copy, I am embarrassed it has taken so long to post my review. Life got in the way....more
I am always excited to read the adventures of protagonists to women who are closer to my age. These are real life gritty stories, and as we grow olderI am always excited to read the adventures of protagonists to women who are closer to my age. These are real life gritty stories, and as we grow older and wiser, they seem to be told with a rare and complete up your bum, this is how it is vibe. I find this to be so refreshing, relatable and solid. A ‘real’ story, yes a memoir but it is more. Jo seems to be able to cut through the bulls!$t and just says it. My observation is we understand ourselves more, what we witness from others to be unacceptable is more astute, and our treatment of these people even more so.
I am continually surprised at the calibre of writing that I am encountering when reading about relationships ending at this stage of life. Having just read Loving My Lying, Dying, Cheating Husband which shows similarities, the ability to not only pick oneself up from a hard event, but to then translate this to the page with quality and readability is commendable.
The author tells her story of a tumultuous relationship, your typical push pull angsty and twisty from the get-go. This was his second marriage, and the way we see him smash it to bits after 25 years was awful. Clearly seeing this man as some kind of sociopath (perhaps I’m judging too harshly) but as the story unfurls, we see his actions from day dot, and the way Jo begins to realise this circumspectly, we rejoice with her as she accepts this man is a complete dud.
Her friends knew this was the case, controlling her in a quiet way which I think was not always obvious, uninterested in the deeper parts of Jo the person, the stories she told about his complete disinterest were very sad. Jo was the main bread winner, he had not surprisingly retired early while she kept working in a wonderful business she built from the ground up. What did he do here? He went for all he could get their final scene together as galling as always.
Jo is upfront, funny, and quite self-effacing, the dating stories humorous and realistic, and her quest to find a new partner equally as candid and real. This book is extremely relatable as I age; this relatability need not be for women who are cast aside by uncaring spouses, it relates to all parts of women’s self-esteem, relationship issues, ageing, and finding your feet. This was a refreshing read.
With many thanks to Text Publishing for my physical copy to read and review....more
Sometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awSometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awe of what I have just read. My reviews are often long, I don't know why, I tend to just talk a lot. This doesn't need to be the case this time around, in keeping with themes of scarcity.
This book developed the opposite feelings of saying too much. A beautifully crafted book, gently told without fanfare. Lyrical prose that seemed to skim along the surface, lots of content weighing heavily, yet not heaped in a way that is too much to bear, an immeasurable suffering in a man involved in something so sad that he would put himself through much torment.
The serious story unfurls without pace, this man who is punishing himself for living while he encounters all kinds of kindness as he runs.
A split second incident to change the lives of two remaining people, with other encounters telling more stories of the human psyche and the way this man interacts with these folk. I loved this man, the humans he collided with on his journey, and the haunting feel which has definitely captured my heart.
When a writer produces a debut that reads as a seasoned piece of literature. That's all I've got to say.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, excellent narration by Cameron Goodall....more
I do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instanI do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instantly gelled with the characters. Set in Sydney, this was a relatable and realistic story with the unexpected and welcome addition of the MC being in the military. Drew is a Naval pilot and all-round nice guy. Georgie lives next door, running a company called the Pool Chicks, the perfect job of pool cleaning all around Sydney, unafraid to get her hands dirty.
These two are drawn to each other, but as Georgie is married, this is weaved in sensitively as they navigate the tension from both sides. Why is she always grumpy and mean? The ending seemed to be a little sudden to me, leaving me with one unanswered question – I wasn’t sure if I’d completely missed something along the way!
Georgie’s husband is not a good guy, his only redeeming quality being his work as a surgeon and volunteering his skills overseas pro bono, but that’s where the positives end. It raises the question as to how these two end up married in the first place, but we do see Georgie’s growth as the story progresses.
I enjoyed the letter aspect which featured, a refreshing bonus in this era of emails and texts messages, adding an extra layer to the growing emotions of those far away from the ones they love.
Drew’s dog is Mal is gorgeous, he’s the perfect match maker as Georgie unexpectedly embraces her neighbour’s fun-loving dog. This book comes with a trigger warning for animals which is almost It is hard to apply without spoilers – I read a review and knew straight away what the outcome was. So please don’t read this if you have sensitivities toward animals.
The banter and easy-going relationships between Georgie and Drew is contagious making for an easy flowing light hearted read. This does end neatly, welcomed by me as I read a lot of heavy nonfiction. This really hit the spot. As this is the author’s debut, I am interested to look further into Gabriella Margo’s further work as this was a well written and engaging read.
Many thanks to the author for my signed copy to read and review....more
I think I read this at the right time. Age shouldn't matter (all this relates to me, others may have differing opinions of course), but I have been feI think I read this at the right time. Age shouldn't matter (all this relates to me, others may have differing opinions of course), but I have been feeling it, lately, so Tilda in her funny ways showed me some things.
Tilda is no longer married, her ex isn't the greatest guy, and never really was. She's learned by now that ever since they met, she conformed to his way, in all ways.
She has her own freedom now, loves her kids immeasurably, but strange things are happening. She is disappearing. My assumptions before going into this book were these feelings of Tilda's invisibility were metaphorical, but they are not. Slowly but surely parts of her body are being removed, starting small with her pinky.. but she realises with horror these are not remaining small.
My dislike for realism needed to take a back seat to really enjoy the book and take advantage of the takeaway lessons as this book provides them in abundance.
Tilda spirals internally (I see her wacky and it is endearing to me), she's been feeling unseen forever. She knows her business is successful, that's not an issue, she sells inspirational merchandise of all things! - but does she live by this in any way?
Eternally witty, admirably smart and clever, will she see what others see, or will she allow herself to drown and disappear forever?
This debut is immensely clever. Drawing on Tilda's internal dialogue who she has named Pearl, we see that if she doesn't quickly start seeing herself for the worthy woman she is, she will not be around in the psychical sense much longer for others to see. This is a highly original story, which is not delivered with anything other than skill and an immense amount of originality.
I've rounded this from 3.5 to 4 stars as I don't warm to any amount of magical realism, but the ingenious way of threading the issue of ageing women feeling unseen to the physical aspect is extraordinary.
This books status as a debut adds an extra level of WOW! Another great insight for me was the idea of meditation. I’ve known forever that this could help. It helped Tilda, and it also helped Jane Tara as discussed in her author’s note.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my public library....more
This debut was remarkably well written. I was on a zoom book club meeting where the author discussed her work and her way of writing, and her researchThis debut was remarkably well written. I was on a zoom book club meeting where the author discussed her work and her way of writing, and her research. I was quite taken that this was her first piece of work. This book discusses the times of 1987, and I felt like I was there. References to the clothes, the food, the music, and the thought processes of teenagers and being in high school. It was all so real.
The story goes back and forth between these more (seemingly) innocent times of the 80’s to the more current of 2018. It is tragic circumstances in both periods, two young women losing their lives, on the cusp of womanhood. One death being accounted for, and the disappearance of Tess in 1987 still being unsolved. Both narratives reek of the common themes of toxicity, gendered violence, the rights of women and the privilege of the wealthy.
Small town and crime are always a good mix, so if you like this combination you will not be left wanting. 2018 brings us a mother mourning the loss of her daughter. Katherine cannot get past the loss and finds herself involved in the historical society, which brings her to the 1987 case of Tess. Unhappy with the interest his wife is showing here, I quickly realised there was more to this than meets the eye.
He is not the only one to be pressuring Kathleen to drop this interest, Kathleen is adamant to have a remembrance of the disappearance of Tess and Tess’s family could not be happier. The plan is to stir memories of this awful case and to even find answers.
Movements become sinister as the story slowly unfolds, causing much guess work and a good dose of manipulative characters. The town of Lowbridge is shrouded in secrecy, and simmers in the secrets of the past. This mix is effective and makes for an atmospheric Australian crime novel in a rural locale.
Well narrated by Anthea Greco which I listened to via the BorroBox platform and my public library. ...more
I have a funny story about my road to reading this book. It jumped out at me straight away, so I headed to my library. It was available but not on theI have a funny story about my road to reading this book. It jumped out at me straight away, so I headed to my library. It was available but not on the shelf. I, and a distant library colleague (she worked there, I don’t) were doing this quiet walk around seeing if it was being held in the hands of a current user. Not sure if it was unobtrusive. No luck. Then a regular was borrowing a whole bunch at the self-checkout (he returns books quickly, I was assured). Another quick scan of the shelves, the recent returns where another staff member was sure she saw it. No luck, a reserve placed. I was almost home when I did a U-turn after a follow up phone call, it had been found. Along the way (not even sure when) I also bought the book and ended up listening to the audio. You would think I’d be a little more organised than this. This little story may convey my affection for Hera in a small way.
I loved it. Hera, young and unsettled, has gone through university (what else to do, right?), completely uninspired and not at all keeping up with her friends. No career, no aspirations to do more. Nothing depresses her more than the trudge of work, repeat. She does find herself in an uninspired position, eventually. Every word the author selects is not wasted. Disastrous job interviews, delicious internal dialogue, insights befitting a weary more seasoned life traveller than her early years.
Witty, deadpan, completely uninhibited in thought and speech. All delivered in a text that appears to have been written by an established author, one I would group with the echelon of esteemed and experienced Australian women writers twice her age. Age doesn’t have anything to do with it really, what I’m saying is there is an insight I am thoroughly impressed with.
Hera, and Madeleine Gray has approached a young, chaotic, and unmoored life leading to an obsessive love and awareness so profound I was quite simply taken with. She has gotten into the head of someone so troubled yet with self-awareness, that I was just gunning for the whole way, wanting her to find her feet. I’ve been where she’s been, the author has written something I resonate with which adds more depth to my experience. This was a complete success for me, a credible and intricate story of a woman’s struggle, an absorbing read.
But what is lust if not if not generosity persevering. I wanted him to be what I needed, and so that is what he became.
The bar is Mexican themed, staffed by white students. Obviously.
I understand why people start wars. I understand why people blow up their lives. If the choice is this or not this I will destroy everything else, every time.
I am not at all surprised a manuscript such as this was snapped up immediately for release into the world. Well done, this is so different and poignant....more
This edition is a rerelease of the author's debut novel, originally published 2009, with a gorgeous cover more fitting 2023. The story itself though lThis edition is a rerelease of the author's debut novel, originally published 2009, with a gorgeous cover more fitting 2023. The story itself though lacks a modern feel. A different type of book about a bookshop, there are MANY threads popped into this story which makes it quite busy, and a little crowded.
Helen's marriage is crumbling, her husband is a hoarder and she's had enough. The story moves along to the neighbouring couple, who themselves have their own domestic problems, Astrid is her friend so invites her to live with them.
Helen stumbles into making an underhanded deal to buy a crumbling store, her sons have returned to the fold at the same time. One helps her in the store, and the other helps his father attempt to lessen the junk pile at home.
There are many lies and many points of dysfunction, to the point the reader finds it all a little unbelievable. I'm a reader who prefers to like the protagonist, and I didn't like Helen. She judged people's reading habits; she judged people. Although as the story went on she tried to change this.
Sadly though, his choice of science fiction seemed characteristic of his generation and type. Helen determined that the young man needed re-educating.
Fornicating no doubt, breeding more children of a romantic persuasion. Was there no shame? She sneered at the cheap paperbacks, a shabby lot which remained shy beneath her judgemental eye.
The harshness of Helen made the tone a harsh one to the book in general. This isn't a soft book, the characters are flawed and marriages all breaking, the folk quite unhappy. The characters did not seem real to me, perhaps written in a voice older for their age.
Other readers may enjoy this more than I, this is a contemporary read, leaving me feeling quite sad for all of the characters. A good point to note here is that the protagonist isn't young and beautiful, she is a more mature age which is always refreshing!
With my thanks to @freemantlepress for a physical copy of this very pretty book....more
Goodreads stole my review. Of course I'll never get it back. I had a personal connection to this story, in a very round about way. It peeves me off sillyGoodreads stole my review. Of course I'll never get it back. I had a personal connection to this story, in a very round about way. It peeves me off silly things happen in this Amazon esque bottish kind of way. Ugh. How do you recreate the words, and so many nice friends had nice things to say. The end of the world, no, but as I don't do any social media apart from here, my reviews and my books are important to me. Good on you, Goodreads. Or as I saw somewhere, Good dreads.
I have been remiss in not updating this to thank Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review. I was too intent on being cranky with GR....more
I really enjoyed this! Such an easy read and this is always important given my busy lifestyle. It was a little laggy in parts, but for the majority I I really enjoyed this! Such an easy read and this is always important given my busy lifestyle. It was a little laggy in parts, but for the majority I truly embraced it. A wonderfully creative debut, full of quirk, uniqueness and spirit. And a little profanity and cheekiness, too.
Our main girl, council employee Lorrie, is cruising along with her life. Or so she thinks! To strive and be brilliant is not her cuppa, but she does feel deserving of a few things. Certainly not fame or being a CEO, she is ok with mediocracy. Deeply loving her husband and children, she is a little shitty that being fat (as she often calls it in her blunt, but seemingly funny manner) gets in the way, and dazed about not getting a promotion. She was passed over. She has the skills. She deserved it. This leads to a hilarious and complete meltdown (the author is very funny with her words), Lorrie is undemandingly funny, and very smart. Does she have to commit her life to work, she thinks not, is not working to live enough? She makes many good points to her boss in her frazzled way, but this does not help. She spirals further and further into a hole of her own making.
This day seems to be all downhill from here, the job rejection, some kind of weird thing with her best friend, an ex-boyfriend on the scene involved with the council event taking place on this crazy day, a dozen too many drinks and taking up smoking again. Unhinged is definitely the word!
I didn’t love her final choice in relation to work, nor did I like her best friend – Alex was a strange one indeed, but this didn’t matter. Lorrie’s zaniness, her complete and utter lack of regard for correctness and a nice relationship with her work guy was refreshing. She was naughty but crazily honest. This was fun and silly and serious too. An excellent debut; sharp, funny and entertaining. I flew through it, and of late I have not had a lot of time for physical books. It was a very easy and satisfying read, highly recommended.
With my thanks to @betterreadingau, and of course Text Publishing, for my physical copy to read and review. I think this author may be going places. I hope the book doesn't stay as an unhidden gem, and that it does flourish out there in the reading world!...more
This was a well written debut, with a definite literary fiction vibe.
Love-great love, as Jude would say-has a way of seeming both miraculous and inThis was a well written debut, with a definite literary fiction vibe.
Love-great love, as Jude would say-has a way of seeming both miraculous and inevitable.
An unamed protagonist (not sure why, really.. because she could?) spent a summer at a beach, post uni graduation. She meets a man, the abovementioned Jude, and she falls in love. He is older, and they spend the honeymoon period in a state of love/lust. This is described to us in an academic, break it down to the reasons why, how did our pasts shape us kind of way.
Jude was never committed, and the unamed woman wanted more. She reflected on her life a lot, allowed her old life to disappear while she headed down south to commute to the beach where Jude lived. It was, to me, a lacklustre love, where they went through the motions. She, a bit clingy, he a bit rude in his flippancy. I wasn't sure how she could be so enamoured.
I didn't connect with these characters, I read to finish the book with no compulsion. I'm disappointed I felt no more for this as I realise the author wrote with thoughts of her own upbringing in mind.
I stumbles across the audio version, and have to say the author's voice was great. It is not always the case an author should narrate their own book, but this was not one of them.
With my thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical advanced review copy. ...more
