Love Objects

A stunning novel of great compassion and insight, from the author of the Stella Prize-shortlisted An Isolated Incident . 'Bold, furious, unapologetic and deeply insightful.' Sofie Laguna, author of Infinite Splendours 'A stunning, immersive novel that will change the conversation about class and about what possessions mean. It's important and funny and sad and beautiful and I absolutely adored it.' Kathryn Heyman, author of Storm and Grace and Fury 'One of the most big-hearted novels I've ever read. Each person fully formed, each scene and new catastrophe rooted in truth.' Bri Lee, author of Eggshell Skull Nic is a forty-three-year-old trivia buff, amateur nail artist and fairy godmother to the neighbourhood's stray cats. She's also the owner of a decade's worth of daily newspapers, enough clothes and shoes to fill Big W three times over and a pen collection which, if laid end-to-end, would probably circle her house twice. The person she's closest to in the world is her beloved niece Lena, who she meets for lunch every Sunday. One day Nic fails to show up. When Lena travels to her aunt's house to see if Nic's all right, she gets the shock of her life, and sets in train a series of events that will prove cataclysmic for them both. By the acclaimed author of An Isolated Incident , Love Objects is a clear-eyed, heart-wrenching and deeply compassionate novel about love and family, betrayal and forgiveness, and the things we do to fill our empty spaces. A stunning, simply told story of great compassion and insight, from the author of the Stella Prize-shortlisted An Isolated Incident. Nic is a forty-five-year-old trivia buff, amateur nail artist and fairy godmother to the neighbourhood's stray cats. She's also the owner of a decade's worth of daily newspapers, enough clothes and shoes to fill Big W three times over and a pen collection which, if laid end-to-end, would probably circle her house twice. She'd put her theory to the test, if only the pen buckets weren't currently blocked in by the crates of Happy Meal toys and the towers of Vegemite jars, take-away containers and cat food tins. Nic's closest relationship is with her niece Lena. The two of them meet for lunch every Sunday to gossip about the rest of the family and bitch about work (they're both checkout chicks: Lena just for now, Nic until they prise her staff discount card from her cold, dead hands). One Sunday, Nic fails to turn up to lunch and when Lena calls she gets a disconnection message. Arriving at the house she hasn't visited in years ('Too far for you to come, hon. Let's meet in the middle.') she finds her aunt unconscious under an avalanche of stuff. Lena is devastated that her beloved aunt has been living in such squalor all this time. While Nic is in hospital, she gets to work cleaning things up for her. Her first impulse is to call in the bulldozers and start searching Gumtree for a roomy caravan. But with the help of her reluctantly recruited brother, Will, she gets the job done. This heroic effort is not appreciated by the plastered up, crutch-wielding Nic. She returns to an empty, alien place unrecognisable as her home and the unbearable pity of her family who have no idea what they've destroyed. How can she live in this place without safety and peace? And how can she ever forgive the niece who has betrayed her? 'bold, Furious, Unapologetic And Deeply Insightful.' Sofie Laguna, Author Of Infinite Splendours 'a Stunning, Immersive Novel That Will Change The Conversation About Class And About What Possessions Mean. It's Important And Funny And Sad And Beautiful And I Absolutely Adored It.' Kathryn Heyman, Author Of Storm And Grace And Fury 'one Of The Most Big-hearted Novels I've Ever Read. Each Person Fully Formed, Each Scene And New Catastrophe Rooted In Truth.' Bri Lee, Author Of Eggshell Skull Nic Is A Forty-five-year-old Trivia Buff, Amateur Nail Artist And Fairy Godmother To The Neighbourhood's Stray Cats. She's Also The Owner Of A Decade's Worth Of Daily Newspapers, Enough Clothes And Shoes To Fill Big W Three Times Over And A Pen Collection Which, If Laid End-to-end, Would Probably Circle Her House Twice. The Person She's Closest To In The World Is Her Beloved Niece Lena, Who She Meets For Lunch Every Sunday. One Day Nic Fails To Show Up. When Lena Travels To Her Aunt's House To See If Nic's All Right, She Gets The Shock Of Her Life, And Sets In Train A Series Of Events That Will Prove Cataclysmic For Them Both. By The Acclaimed Author Of An Isolated Incident, Love Objects Is A Clear-eyed, Heart-wrenching And Deeply Compassionate Novel About Love And Family, Betrayal And Forgiveness, And The Things We Do To Fill Our Empty Spaces.