More Fiction to Get Your Hands On in 2023
My TBR pile is definitely giving me solid side-eye right now, but with so many incredible books still to be released this year, who can blame me for looking ahead with a new fiction wish list?
The second half of the year sees the release of new work from some incredible Aussie authors, not least Kate Mildenhall with a captivating novel told in four parts, Laura Elizabeth Woollett with another razor-sharp narrative on occupying a female body in our chaotic world, and a flawless short story collection from the genius mind of Laura Jean McKay.
Alongside fresh, new literary voices, and epic tales from old favourites, there’s still a LOT to look forward to with our reading in 2023.
Here’s what I’ve got my eye on.
Audition by Pip Adam
Published: July 2023, Giramondo Press
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, a spaceship named Audition hurtles forward. Within its spacious chamber, three giants – Alba, Stanley and Drew – find themselves immobilised. The ship continues its journey as long as they converse, but the giants continue to grow when they fall silent. Pip Adam's new novel combines elements of science fiction and social realism to explore “what happens when systems of power decide someone takes up too much room.” Based on Seth Robinson’s recent review for KYD, this sounds like an unmissable read.
The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall
Published: August 2023, Simon & Schuster
In Kate Mildenhall's highly anticipated novel, the reader embarks on a sweeping journey through time, following the lives of four distinct women: Peggy, Hilda, Cat, and Maz. Each woman grapples with her own set of challenges in their different timelines – and while each experience is different, core themes underpin and tie these women together. Mildenhall expertly weaves their experiences and perspectives, seamlessly guiding us through the shifting periods. The characters are richly developed, possessing a strong sense of self and individual voices that will keep readers hooked in this captivating narrative. Read our full review here.
West Girls by Laura Elizabeth Woollett
Published: August 2023, Scribe Publications
Luna Lewis is white, but her friends, brothers, and stepmother are not. As she grows from a pudgy preteen into an ‘exotic’ beauty, Luna transforms herself into "Luna Lu" and leaves her home behind to pursue an international modelling career. As her time in the spotlight nears its end, Luna must confront her sacrifices and the person she has become while trying to conquer the world. Set in Australia's wealthiest state, West Girls explores beauty, race, social class divisions, mobility, and the complex dynamics of love and hurt among women.
The Modern by Anna Kate Blair
Published: September 2023, Simon & Schuster
“In an age driven by desire, what happens when you want two different things?” A thought-provoking debut set in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) world, The Modern introduces us to Sophia, an Australian living in New York with a seemingly perfect life and promising future. But as her fiancé leaves to hike the Appalachian Trail, Sophia starts questioning the concept of marriage in the 21st century and whether it allows her to stay true to herself. After meeting young artist Cara, their connection prompts Sophia to reevaluate her relationships, career, and the complexities of modern life. A compelling and sparklingly insightful narrative that explores desire, art, and place, The Modern is a must-read from a promising new literary voice.
The Idealist by Nicholas Jose
Published: September 2023, Giramondo Press
This new work from the celebrated novelist and essayist Nicholas Jose is a gripping story set in Australia, East Timor and Washington during the period leading up to East Timor's independence referendum in 1999. Jake, an Australian defence analyst, grapples with conflicting loyalties. He deeply supports East Timor's quest for independence, having witnessed their determination in the face of escalating violence but also feels complicit in his government's actions. At its core, The Idealist is a political mystery, a portrayal of a marriage, an exploration of friendship, and an examination of how an individual's personality can unravel under immense pressure.
Gunflower by Laura Jean McKay
Published: October 2023, Scribe Publishing
The captivating new short story collection by the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of The Animals in That Country takes readers on an imaginative and thought-provoking journey. A family of cat farmers liberates their feline companions; a group of chickens fearlessly speaks their minds; a support group finds solace in a world without men; and in the titular story, a female-crewed ship bravely navigates a male-dominated world. With electric energy, craft, and creativity, these stories draw on a reality flipped on its head, where humans embrace their animal instincts and animals bite back.
Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko
Published: October 2023, UQP
The epic new novel from much-loved Indigenous Australian author Melissa Lucashenko spans a two-hundred-year timeline, taking readers across the echoes of the past to present-day Australia. When Mulanyin encounters the captivating Nita in Edenglassie, their Indigenous saltwater community prevails over the British settlers. As colonial tensions escalate, Mulanyin envisions a future with Nita back in his Yugambeh Country, but his aspirations for independence clash with the prevailing white justice system. In the future, passionate activist Winona's life intertwines with Dr Johnny as they care for the strong-willed centenarian Grannie Eddie. Unbeknownst to them, the past's legacies will profoundly influence their present-day experiences. With a thrilling narrative we’ve come to expect, Lucashenko “torches Queensland’s colonial myths while reimagining an Australian future.”
Elaine Chennatt is a writer, educator and psychology student currently residing in nipaluna. She has a special interest in bibliotherapy (how we use literature to make sense of our lives) and is endlessly curious about the creative philosophies of others. She lives with her husband and two bossy dachshunds on the not-so-sunny side of the river (IYKYK). Find her online at wordswithelaine.com.
