AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Verity Fassbinder has her feet in two worlds. The daughter of one human and one Weyrd parent, she has very little power herself, but does claim unusual strength – and the ability to walk between us and the other – as a couple of her talents. As such a rarity, she is charged with keeping the peace between both races, and ensuring the Weyrd remain hidden from us.
'But now Sirens are dying, illegal wine made from the tears of human children is for sale – and in the hands of those Weyrd who hold with the old ways – and someone has released an unknown and terrifyingly destructive force on the streets of Brisbane.
'And Verity must investigate – or risk ancient forces carving our world apart.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Notes
-
An expansion of the world originally created for 'Brisneyland by Night' (2013).
-
Author's note: The city is not the city.
Though I do live in Brisneyland and have used it as a backdrop for Vigil, I must confess that I've played fast and loose with some details (I'm sorry, West End and I'm really sorry, Gold Coast). I'm a writer. It's fiction. So I beg patience of the purists; while the reader will recognise certain landmarks and suburbs, Verity's city is not quite the city you know. It looks a bit like it, seen through a glass darkly.
Enjoy the journey.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Sound recording.
Works about this Work
-
Talking Writing and Vigil with Angela Slatter
Peter M. Ball
(interviewer),
2020
single work
interview
— Appears in: Peter M. Ball : Man Vs. Bear 2020; -
'A Crowd at Your Back' : Fantasy Fandom and Small Press
2019
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Media International Australia , February vol. 170 no. 1 2019; (p. 115-125) 'This article presents a study of a model of textual production that situates genre fiction, specifically fantasy fiction, within its community and industry contexts. I argue that Australian fantasy ‘fandom’ operates in some ways like a research and development space for the literature it consumes, through allowing, enabling and enthusiastically supporting – both ethically and materially – a thriving small press culture. Fandom is known for its passionate investments in texts, and those investments are rarely passive. The fantasy genre community is already oriented towards prosumption, and small presses afford specific opportunities for writers to work in specific ways, enriching and developing their individual craft and the genre as a whole.' (Publication abstract) -
Editor Stephen Jones Discusses Vigil by Angela Slatter
Kim Wilkins
(interviewer),
2017
single work
interview
— Appears in: Genre Worlds : Australian Popular Fiction in the 21st Century [Interviews] 2023; This conversation took place between Stephen and Kim Wilkins at Worldcon Helsinki on 11th August 2017. -
Publisher Jo Fletcher Discusses Vigil by Angela Slatter
Kim Wilkins
(interviewer),
2017
single work
interview
— Appears in: Genre Worlds : Australian Popular Fiction in the 21st Century [Interviews] 2023; This conversation took place between Jo and Kim Wilkins at Worldcon Helsinki on 10th August, 2017. -
Author Lisa Hannett Discusses Vigil by Writing Partner Angela Slatter
Kim Wilkins
(interviewer),
2017
single work
interview
— Appears in: Genre Worlds : Australian Popular Fiction in the 21st Century [Interviews] 2023; This conversation took place between Lisa and Kim Wilkins on 10th April 2017.
-
[Review Essay] Vigil
2016
single work
single work
essay
— Appears in: Aurealis , no. 92 2016;
— Review of Vigil 2016 single work novel -
[Review] : Vigil by Angela Slatter
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: SQ Mag , September no. 28 2016;
— Review of Vigil 2016 single work novel'Urban fantasy is one of those genres that is pretty saturated right now. Therefore, finding a real gem among the vast sea of titles is quite the challenge. When asked to review this one, I was a little leery that it might be one of a myriad of similar stories, but I’m happy to say that Vigil definitely stands out from the crowd.' (Introduction)
-
A Siren Call from a Very Weird Brisbane
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 29-30 October 2016; (p. 26) The Saturday Age , 29-30 October 2016; (p. 26)
— Review of Vigil 2016 single work novel -
Angela Slatter : Vigil
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Newtown Review of Books , November 2016;
— Review of Vigil 2016 single work novel -
Australian Fantasy
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary , December no. 93 2016; (p. 103)
— Review of The Floating City 2015 single work novel ; Stiletto : A Novel 2016 single work novel ; The Last Quarrel 2015 series - author novel ; Rich and Rare : A Collection of Australian Stories, Poetry and Artwork 2015 anthology short story poetry art work ; Vigil 2016 single work novel ; The Summon Stone 2016 single work novel -
Weyrd Stories of Brisbane in Angela Slatter's Vigil
Kate Evans
(interviewer),
2014
single work
interview
— Appears in: Radio National ABC 2014;'Angela Slatter’s novel Vigil is set in Brisbane-with-a-twist.
'It’s contemporary Brisbane, but there’s a Boatman on the river ferrying the dead, alongside the CityCats.
'There are sirens, angels, vampires and other indeterminate creatures in the bars and cafes and bookshops.
'And when someone crosses the line, Verity Fassbinder PI steps in to work things out.
'Angela Slatter speaks with Kate Evans.'
-
Talking Writing and Vigil with Angela Slatter
Peter M. Ball
(interviewer),
2020
single work
interview
— Appears in: Peter M. Ball : Man Vs. Bear 2020; -
'A Crowd at Your Back' : Fantasy Fandom and Small Press
2019
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Media International Australia , February vol. 170 no. 1 2019; (p. 115-125) 'This article presents a study of a model of textual production that situates genre fiction, specifically fantasy fiction, within its community and industry contexts. I argue that Australian fantasy ‘fandom’ operates in some ways like a research and development space for the literature it consumes, through allowing, enabling and enthusiastically supporting – both ethically and materially – a thriving small press culture. Fandom is known for its passionate investments in texts, and those investments are rarely passive. The fantasy genre community is already oriented towards prosumption, and small presses afford specific opportunities for writers to work in specific ways, enriching and developing their individual craft and the genre as a whole.' (Publication abstract) -
Q and A with Angela Slatter.
Marion Stoneman
(interviewer),
2000
single work
interview
— Appears in: Tas Writers 2000;'Angela Slatter is the award winning author of speculative fiction novels Vigil and Corpselight. She is also particularly adept with the short story. Her collections, The Bitterwood Bible and Sourdough and Other Stories have both received critical acclaim, with Sourdough being a finalist for a World Fantasy Award in 2011, and Bitterwood being a co-winner of this award for Best Collection in 2015. Slatter is also the recipient of an Aurealis Award for her collection, The Girl with No Hands and other tales. Her short stories are reminicient of fairytales, and by this I mean all the best parts; the adventure, the tangible worlds, brilliantly wicked characters and of course, the darkness. If you haven’t yet read her work, I encourage you to do so. You won’t be disappointed! Arianne was lucky enough to interview Slatter about her writing process and upcoming books.' (Introduction)
-
Author Angela Slatter Discusses Her Novel, Vigil
Kim Wilkins
(interviewer),
2017
single work
interview
— Appears in: Genre Worlds : Australian Popular Fiction in the 21st Century [Interviews] 2023; This conversation took place between Angela and Kim Wilkins on 6th April 2017.
Awards
- 2018 longlisted International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
- 2017 shortlisted Ditmar Awards — Best Novel
- 2017 longlisted Davitt Award — Best Adult Crime Novel
- 2017 finalist Locus Awards — First Novel
- 2016 shortlisted Aurealis Awards for Excellence in Australian Speculative Fiction — Fantasy Division — Novel
- Brisbane, Queensland,