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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Sydney, Milsons Point, 1926. Entire streets are being demolished for the building of the Harbour Bridge. Ellis Gilbey, landlady by day, gardening writer by night, is set to lose everything. Only the faith in the book she’s writing, and hopes for a garden of her own, stave off despair. As the tight-knit community splinters and her familiar world crumbles, Ellis relives her escape to the city at sixteen, landing in the unlikely care of self-styled theosophist Minerva Stranks.
'When artist Rennie Howarth knocks on her door seeking refuge from a stifling upper-class life and an abusive husband, Ellis glimpses a chance to fulfil her dreams. The future looms uncertain while the past stays uncannily in pursuit.
'This beautiful novel evokes the hardships and the glories of Sydney’s past and tells the little-known story of those made homeless to make way for the famous bridge. Peopled by bohemians and charlatans, earthy folk and fly-by-nighters, The Floating Garden is about shedding secrets, seizing second chances, and finding love amongst the ruins.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Notes
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Dedication: For Delma
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In addition to reviews individually indexed on AustLit, the following reviews of Emma Ashmere's work has also appeared:
- Lisa Walker, 'Local Author’s Debut Novel Impresses', Northern Rivers Echo, 21 May 2015, p.20.
- Cameron Woodhead, 'In Short Fiction', Spectrum [SMH], 16-17 May 2015, p.32.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Works about this Work
-
Hundreds Displaced by a Famous Coathanger
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Byron Shire Echo , 24 June 2015; (p. 15)
— Review of The Floating Garden : A Novel 2015 single work novel -
Behind the Book : Stories beneath the Bridge
2015
single work
column
— Appears in: Good Reading , July 2015; (p. 30-32) -
[Untitled]
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 6 June 2015; (p. 32)
— Review of The Floating Garden : A Novel 2015 single work novel
-
[Untitled]
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 6 June 2015; (p. 32)
— Review of The Floating Garden : A Novel 2015 single work novel -
Hundreds Displaced by a Famous Coathanger
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: Byron Shire Echo , 24 June 2015; (p. 15)
— Review of The Floating Garden : A Novel 2015 single work novel -
Behind the Book : Stories beneath the Bridge
2015
single work
column
— Appears in: Good Reading , July 2015; (p. 30-32)
Awards
- 2016 shortlisted Most Underrated Book Award
- Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales,
- Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1926