A haunting, hypnotic and enticing novel of grief and desire, by one of Australia's finest, most assured novelists. Three years ago, Shelley's lover, Conrad, died in a surfing accident. Now, still in a state of subdued grief, Shelley has just moved into an old Victorian terrace in Paddington with David, her new partner, trying for a new beginning. At home one morning, Shelley discovers a door to a small intriguing room, which is not on the plans. There is a window, a fireplace and a beautiful chandelier. But nothing else. When Shelley meets a man who seems to be Conrad's uncanny double, the mysterious room begins to dominate her world, becoming a focus for her secret fantasies and fears, offering an escape which also threatens to become a trap. A waking dream of a novel, HOLD is spellbinding, sensual and unsettling. 'A novelist with a commanding talent' The Monthly 'I loved every gorgeous, spooky word of it, and was blown away by its poetry. An intimate, complex and gripping portrait of grief, it's truly brilliant.' Ceridwen Dovey, author, Only the Animals
Author
Kirsten grew up in Sydney and studied English and Fine Arts at the University of Sydney. She lived in New York between 1998 and 2006, where she completed a PhD in English on Renaissance poetry at Rutgers University. She now lives in Sydney with her husband and son. Kirsten’s first novel, The Legacy, was published to international critical acclaim in 2010. The Legacy was shortlisted for the ABIA Literary Fiction award, the ALS Gold Medal, and longlisted for the Miles Franklin award. Her second novel, A Common Loss, will appear in 2012. Kirsten has published poetry, fiction, literary criticism, and articles on contemporary fiction. The Legacy was completed with the assistance of an Emerging Writer’s Grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. Kirsten has also been awarded support from the Cultural Fund of the Copyright Agency Limited. Kirsten is one of the founders of the new award for Australian women’s writing, The Stella Prize, and the discussion series and blog When Genres Attack! You can read an interview in Readings Newsletter here, and Miram Cosic’s profile piece on Kirsten in The Australian here. Follow Kirsten on Twitter @ktranter
