AustLit

'Michael Giacometti is skilled in the short form – with much to excite, to heighten our senses, before a swift close. Running through many of the stories in this collection is discovery and the yearning, futility and fallout that it brings. The act of discovery, the process of searching, can be driven by boastful pride or by reflection. Giacometti takes his readers on an arc of exploration, from the epic – journeys into Australia’s deserts and across the Southern Pacific ocean at the time of the Napoleonic Wars – to looking for answers inside ourselves.' (Introduction)

'The Lone Child focusses on character development, imbued with sadness, longing, regret and loss. Following on from her stunning debut novel, What Came Before, Anna George has created another claustrophobic and compelling character study of somebody struggling with the complications of day-to-day life.' (Introduction)

For the first time in NRB’s history, Jean and Linda both have the same title on their books-of-the-year lists. What could it be? Read on to find out …