The Strays - Softcover

Bitto, Emily

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1785079514 ISBN 13: 9781785079511

Publisher: Legend Press, 2016

Synopsis

‘Remarkable first novel... vividly written, almost painterly’ The New York Times Book Review

On her first day at a new school, Lily befriends one of the daughters of infamous painter Evan Trentham. He and his wife are trying to escape the conservatism of 1930s Australia by inviting other like-minded artists to live at their home. Lily becomes infatuated with this wild, bohemian lifestyle and longs to truly be a part of the family.

But as the years pass, Lily observes the way the lives of these artists come to reflect their art. Yet it’s not Evan, but his own daughters, who pay the price for his radicalism. Almost 30 years later, Lily contemplates the ordinary path her own life took, how she has played it safe, but does freedom come at a cost?

Shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown 2017
Winner of the Stella Prize 2015
Winner of the Tina Kane Emergent Writers Award
University of Canberra ‘Book of the Year’ 2016
Longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC Literary Award
Shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s
Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript
Shortlised for the Dobbie Literary Award
Shortlisted for the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction
Shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Prize for New Writing
Shortlisted for an Amazon Rising Star Award
Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction ‘Academy Recommends’ Read

‘Full of lush, mesmerizing detail’ The New Yorker

‘Emily Bitto writes so well about art, childhood, infatuation, loneliness--you name it. The Strays is a knowing novel, and beautifully done.’ Meg Wolitzer, author of The Interestings

‘An immensely pleasurable read.’ Bookseller + Publisher

‘Emily Bitto has written a very stylish and enjoyable debut novel.’ The Sunday Mail

‘A marvellously accomplished and assured debut... Rich in atmosphere and beautifully observed.’ Caroline Baum, Booktopia

About this title

About the Author

Emily co-owns a wine bar in Carlton, Melbourne, called Heartattack and Vine, which she opened with her partner and two other friends in October 2014.

She was previously employed for several years as a sessional lecturer and supervisor in the Creative Writing Programs at both the University of Melbourne and Victoria University.

The Strays is her debut novel.

Follow Emily on Twitter @emilybitto

Edition details

• Publisher: Legend Press
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1785079514
• ISBN 13: 9781785079511
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256