Between a Wolf and a Dog

WINNER OF THE 2017 VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION WINNER OF THE 2016 UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND FICTION BOOK AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 STELLA PRIZE 'Whenever I need reminding of the preciousness of ordinary life I return to this stunning novel of forgiveness and family, which gives clear, beautiful voice to the fierce luck of being alive.' Charlotte Wood Ester is a family therapist with an appointment book that catalogues the anxieties of the middle class: loneliness, relationships, death. She spends her days helping others find happiness, but her own family relationships are tense and frayed. Estranged from both her sister, April, and her ex-husband, Lawrence, Ester wants to fall in love again. Meanwhile, April is struggling through her own directionless life; Lawrence's reckless past decisions are catching up with him; and Ester and April's mother, Hilary, is about to make a choice that will profoundly affect them all. Taking place largely over one rainy day in Sydney, and rendered with evocative and powerful prose, the multi-award-winning Between a Wolf and a Dog is a celebration of the best in all of us — our capacity to live in the face of ordinary sorrows, and to draw strength from the transformative power of art. PRAISE FOR GEORGIA BLAIN '[An] elegant, intelligent and affecting novel from a writer at the height of her powers.' The Saturday Paper 'Like all her novels, Between a Wolf and a Dog explores the often unarticulated complexities of the intersection of the personal and the political with exquisite grace and intelligence.' Australian Book Review Outside, The Rain Continues Unceasing; Silver Sheets Sluicing Down, The Trees And Shrubs Soaking And Bedraggled, The Earth Sodden, Puddles Overflowing, Torrents Coursing Onwards, As The Darkness Slowly Softens With The Dawn. Ester Is A Family Therapist With An Appointment Book That Catalogues The Anxieties Of The Middle Class: Loneliness, Relationships, Death. She Spends Her Days Helping Others Find Happiness, But Her Own Family Relationships Are Tense And Frayed. Estranged From Both Her Sister, April, And Her Ex-husband, Lawrence, Ester Wants To Fall In Love Again. Meanwhile, April Is Struggling Through Her Own Directionless Life; Lawrence's Reckless Past Decisions Are Catching Up With Him; And Ester And April's Mother, Hilary, Is About To Make A Choice That Will Profoundly Affect Them All. Taking Place Largely Over One Rainy Day In Sydney, And Rendered With The Evocative And Powerful Prose Blain Is Known For, Between A Wolf And A Dog Is A Celebration Of The Best In All Of Us - Our Capacity To Live In The Face Of Ordinary Sorrows, And To Draw Strength From The Transformative Power Of Art. Ultimately, It Is A Joyous Tribute To The Beauty Of Being Alive.--back Cover. Georgia Blain. Outside, the rain continues unceasing; silver sheets sluicing down, the trees and shrubs soaking and bedraggled, the earth sodden, puddles overflowing, torrents coursing onwards, as the darkness slowly softens with the dawn. Ester is a family therapist with an appointment book that catalogues the anxieties of the middle class: loneliness, relationships, death. She spends her days helping others find happiness, but her own family relationships are tense and frayed. Estranged from both her sister, April, and her ex-husband, Lawrence, Ester wants to fall in love again. Meanwhile, April is struggling through her own directionless life; Lawrence's reckless past decisions are catching up with him; and Ester and April's mother, Hilary, is about to make a choice that will profoundly affect then all. Taking place largely over one rainy day in Sydney, and rendered with the evocative and powerful prose Blain is known for, Between a Wolf and a Dog is a celebration of the best in all of us - our capacity to live in the face of ordinary sorrows, and to draw strength from the transformative power of art. Ultimately, it is a joyous tribute to the beauty of being alive.--Page 4 de la couverture