Tara Calaby joins us on today’s episode to discuss her latest novel, The Spirit Circle: a speculative historical fiction on the intersection of spiritualism and grief. The novel features women who are haunted by grief and come together as a church under the charismatic leadership of a medium. Tara discusses writing cult-ish dynamics in theContinue reading “Tara Calaby on spiritualism, representation, and grief l Author interview”
Tag Archives: adult fiction
January book club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (S4E1)
In this exhilarating novel, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. Join Priscilla and Elise for a book club discussion on Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow‘s complex characterisation and videoContinue reading “January book club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (S4E1)”
Tell Me Lies leans on tired tropes around psychology
Psychologist Margot Scott has a picture-perfect life: a nice house in the suburbs, a husband, two children and a successful career. On a warm spring morning Margot approaches one of her clients on a busy train platform. He is looking down at his phone, with his duffel bag in hand as the train approaches. That’sContinue reading “Tell Me Lies leans on tired tropes around psychology”
Two Sisters, Two Takes on the ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’ Trope
I am a fan of both Liane Moriarty and Nicola Moriarty; they both write the sort of books that I tend to devour, and I love both of their writings. I had never compared their work (as a woman with a sister, I know the particular pain of such comparison), until I finished reading Nicola’sContinue reading “Two Sisters, Two Takes on the ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’ Trope”
Review: ‘No One Will Know’ presents no shortage of twists and turns
Eve Sylvester is young and broke and needs a job fast. After years of foster homes, backpacking and a sailing trip across the Pacific Ocean, she has lost contact with friends and family. She is alone, desperate—and pregnant. Then she meets Julia and Christopher Hygate, a charming and glamorous couple, who seem to have theContinue reading “Review: ‘No One Will Know’ presents no shortage of twists and turns”
Review: ‘The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt’ is a highly entertaining debut
I met my husband on the same day I committed my very last murder. There’s a joke in there somewhere, about ending two men’s lives. Olivia Hodges used to do horrible things – back when she worked for a Spanish crime syndicate – but she fled that life and moved home to Australia, building aContinue reading “Review: ‘The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt’ is a highly entertaining debut”
Review: The quiet emotional force of The Burrow
Amy, Jin and Lucie are leading isolated lives in their partially renovated, inner city home. They are not happy, but they are also terrified of change. When they buy a pet rabbit for Lucie, and then Amy’s mother, Pauline, comes to stay, the family is forced to confront long-buried secrets. Will opening their hearts toContinue reading “Review: The quiet emotional force of The Burrow”
Review: The uplifting layers of The End and Everything Before It
Emma watched her mother’s kayak disappear among icebergs in the Arctic Sea. Six years later, her brother, who had not spoken since their mother was lost, warns Emma of the curse of death that she brought to anyone who looked on her face—before tragedy befalls him too. Emma consigns herself to a solitary life atContinue reading “Review: The uplifting layers of The End and Everything Before It”
Nina Kenwood on life stability, 30s anxieties, and wedding drama | Author interview
In this interview, we welcome author Nina Kenwood back to the show, where we discuss her new book – and her first book for adults – The Wedding Forecast. Topics include starting over after a long-term relationship, anxieties around parenthood and aging, and stability versus taking a leap. Content notes for the episode: anxiety and overthinking;Continue reading “Nina Kenwood on life stability, 30s anxieties, and wedding drama | Author interview”
Alice Robinson: Grief, Parenting and an Uncertain Future | Author Interview
Author Alice Robinson joins Elise and Priscilla for an insightful interview about her new release, If You Go. The novel follows protagonist Esther, who must piece together a timeline between her past and the highly confusing present. We chat about a non-linear experience of grief, the relationship between feminism and motherhood, and speculate about theContinue reading “Alice Robinson: Grief, Parenting and an Uncertain Future | Author Interview”