Australian fiction titles to pick up this month
Little Plum by Laura McPhee-Browne
Coral discovers she is pregnant, and decides to keep the baby, just shy of her thirtieth birthday. Although the result of a casual sexual encounter, she has always wanted to be a mother and considers herself in an okay place in life to take this new step independently. Throughout her pregnancy she, like many expectant mothers, is also scared of what is to come. Her feelings of untetheredness and fear are further complicated by her OCD that, until recently, was managed well-enough through medication, but which is increasingly seeming ineffective.
'Laura McPhee-Browne’s exquisite, velvety writing creeps up on you unexpectedly, and what initially feels solid can suddenly disappear all at once. Coral says at one point that the whole of her is ‘raw and uncomfortably tender’, which perfectly describes the experience of reading this book. – Aurelia Orr, Readings Carlton
The Matchmaker by Saman Shad
Can this matchmaker recognise her perfect match?
Saima runs a matchmaking service that focuses on compatibility. And she's good at her work. But her local Desi community is not so sure about her methods that seemingly shirk tradition – and they're talking about it. With business almost completely dried up, she's readying to move back in with her Ammy when she encounters a lucrative opportunity. The parents of extremely eligible bachelor Kal want her to find his perfect match – but there's strings galore – Kal can't know his parents have been involved – and the additional complication of Saima and Kal having clashed in a recent chance encounter. But the biggest complication of all? Saima herself may just be Kal's perfect match.
'As a self-professed romance novel-holic, Saman Shad’s The Matchmaker captivated me from its first couple of pages. She delivers a beautiful love story, while also opening a door to allow us readers a peak into Sydney’s rich and vibrant Desi community.' – Mary-Louisa Horrigan, Readings Doncaster
Shirley by Ronnie Scott
A novel of shifting sands, Ronnie Scott's Shirley explores what happens to us when what we believe and know is called into question by us and the actions of those around us.
Our protagonist, known only as the girl, lives a life of quiet comfort, but soon a succession of change begins to upend everything. Her mother is selling their family home – a site of an infamous photograph of her mother blood soaked that we'll learn more of later, her boyfriend abruptly ends their relationship to explore his interest in men, and she herself begins an infatuation with her pregnant neighbour downstairs. Secrets, desire and devotion will all play a role in framing how each character sees one another and indeed themselves.
'A captivating story ... for anyone craving a new generation of Garner-esque Melbourne literary writers.' – Clare Millar, Readings online
A Country of Eternal Light by Paul Dalgarno
'Margaret Bryce is dead. Since her death in 2014, she has spent her time watching over the lives of her two daughters: Eva in Madrid and Rachel in Melbourne. She also checks in on her estranged husband in Aberdeen. When not watching over the lives of those she left behind, she revisits pivotal moments in history, spanning the 75 years between 1945 to 2021.
Margaret sees it all now, yet cannot help but wonder why there isn’t more to death than this. It seems grief has demands, not just of the living, but also of the dead.
'A Country of Eternal Light is a startlingly ambitious novel. Truly original in its premise, it poses deep philosophical questions that push the reader to wonder, ‘Do I believe what I think I believe?’ ... The year is young indeed, but I am quietly confident this wonderful novel might well be my favourite read for 2023.' – Tye Cattanach, Readings Carlton
Maggie by Catherine Johns
For many adolescents, boarding school is an exiled existence, but for Maggie, who has suffered the abuse of an alcoholic father, it is a chance to escape. Although she has broken free of one troubled home, her vulnerabilities and desire to be loved see her prayed upon by the new priest, Father Nihill. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant with his child, Maggie is thrust into the world of adulthood and must stay strong to survive. She has been deeply betrayed by the adults of her past, but her future is still within her grasp.
'Maggie is a powerful coming-of-age story about the sudden transition from childhood to adulthood, the pain of losing one’s innocence, and of rebuilding oneself to keep on surviving.' – Aurelia Orr, Readings Carlton
Higher Education by Kira McPherson
Kira McPherson's debut explores who we are at our intersections. Our past, present and future. Who we are when we're alone, who we are when we're with close friends, and who we are when we encounter strangers. We embody dualities, contradictions and unknowns. Is it any wonder we're so confused?
Sam, a young university student studying law, is thoroughly lost. So when she meets Julia, someone she sees could be her mentor and her light in the darkness, she grabs hold with both hands. Through their closeness Sam finds the sense of self she had been searching for and begins to see a future for herself. At first simply preoccupied with figuring out how to gain what Julia has – a successful career as a lawyer – the relationship soon crosses boundaries and they navigate increasingly complicated feelings for one another.