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m • • • WomersleyChris was in Melbourneborn in 1968, lived wherehe formany years. He astrained a journalistradio hasand travelled extensivelysuch to placesas India, South EastAsia, South America, North America,and Africa.West Hecurrently worksatFairfax inonline Sydney asasub year m
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e i l (fromthe BooktopiaBlog) whatevergenre thestory needs tobe told, withoutfear orfavour. 9. Many artistsset themselvesvery ambitious goals. What yours?are IEach set time out to writeanovel, I try to something write that has never writtenbeen before. I usually andtry write the novelthat I likewould to read hasn’tbut yetbeen written. 10. Whatadvice do you giveaspiring writers? Readeverything canyou get hands your on, write alot and persevere. i What do7. you hope peopletake away with them afterreading your work? I wantreaders to compelledbe thehookby of the narrative, moved theby emotionof story the andin- trigued theby possibilities oflonging peoplebacklife. to Whom 8. do mostyou in admire realmthe of writing and why? That’svery hardto narrow down. I admire JoyceCarol Oates’ productivityherand ability to write in The The novelstill strikes meas the most involvedart and deeper take people further thanany other. Please 6. tellus aboutyour latest novel… Bereftis set in the immediate aftermath ofWorld WarOne during theSpanish Influenza pandemic. A returnedsoldier namedQuinn Walkerreturns to acountry townin rural NSW wherehe meets ayoung hegirl comes to believe is theghost of hismurdered sister. Bereftis about loss longing,and the way fam- great great effect you on influenced and yourown development asa writer? I vividly recall seeing theSergio Leone film as a12 me lence.I also loved TheUS band terrifying.and It’s often said but every personwho bought it wasinspired startto their own band. Considering 5. the innumerableartistic avenues open toyou, why didyou chooseanovel? to be abe to writer becausethere seemedthere waslittle else I couldactually do. What 3. stronglyheld belief didyou haveeighteenat youthat do nothave now? I When was18 I tended Sinceterms. thenI havelearnt that theworld is actually complex more harderand to pindown, which is necessary fora novelist,because helpsit mecreate more interesting characters and stories. What 4. were threeworks of art I wasborn in Melbourne in 1968, andhavelived in thatcity most for of my life,aside from periodstrav- overseas elling and living in Sydney andthe UK. I wentto schools,afew but endedup atMelbourne High SchoolwhereI did my HSC. What did2. you want tobe when you were eighteentwelve, and thirty? And why? 12 I At wantedto anbe archaeologist becauseI liked the of hangingidea out inEgypt. 18 IAt wanted to arockbe star because I liked the idea of hanging out in mansions in thesouth ofFrance. At 30 I wanted 14 in2007.story unpublishedan manuscript won and theNed Kelly AwardforBest First Bookin 2008. Ten Questions Terrifying begin To with why don’tyou tellus little a bitabout yourself Schooled? creativewriting at Melbourne's RMIT.His shortstory 'The Shed' waspublished in
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is about the suffering the suffering is about
Bereft
Bereft
Bereft 264 pp.
13:9781921844027 -
Scribe Scribe Publications
Chris Womersley, 2010Chris Book Summary ISBN
Chris Womersley Chris and seems to know more about crime the more than seems she should. and to know
— the Year Winner Book of Fiction ABIA Literary Winner Novel forof Indie Award Best Bookof theShortlisted for Age Year The Shortlisted for Award Franklin 2011 Miles Medal forShortlisted for Literature ASL Gold AwardShortlisted for for Fiction Ned Kelly Dagger Shortlisted for CWA Gold Longlisted Award for Dublin IMPAC and train travel is severely restricted. There are rumours it is the are end the world. There rumours of restricted. is train severely and travel ten years he fled to the home the of Flint, NSWIn town returns Walker Quinn he was accused an unspeakable and that of when earlier his father crime. Aware Flint. surely in the hides he hang him, Quinn hills surrounding There, uncle would him to called Sadie encourages seek Fox, young girl who meets a mysterious justice justice, of and novel love, longing gothic searing A left behind. those who those who by are forever and go to war endured epidemic but is raging has ended, the Spanish Great War flu is The 1919. It armed by guarded are men, state are closed, Australia. Schools borders through
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, is , is
— but he sets he sets but
— , a desperate a desperate , The Low Road TheLow
winning winning -
The Low Road TheLow the reader’s reaction may be be may reaction the reader’s
— dead young man, Quinn, contemplating life contemplating Quinn, man, young dead Bereft winning debut, debut, winning - -
Reviews thought - Chris Womersley Chris directed film. directed -
speck town of Flint’, New South Wales, a teenage boy was found boy a teenage Wales, South New of Flint’, specktown , his second novel after 2008’s award 2008’s after novel second his , -
when that moment finally comes finally moment that when Bereft — which makes the book a delight to consume, and makes the reader reader the makes and consume, to a delight book the makes which — Chris Womersley has written a narrative that grips like a dingo’s jaws, but at the the at but jaws, a dingo’s like that grips narrative a written has Chris Womersley of gift particular that motivation, human into glimpses those us gives time same The literature. satisfying most the characterise which atmosphere, evoking a have life, wild earth and of its physicality the bush, Australian of the descriptions its community, small of the details do the So intensity. transporting precise and of real brilliance the But possessions. minimal rough, and lifestyle impoverished of state the from emergence his slow and of Quinn character the in lies the book man on the run wonders when the chase will end. "He could perhaps even last for some for some last even perhaps could "He end. will chase the when wonders the run on man again," all over start to have supplies and any exhaust eventually would he But months. of a richly coloured and well and coloured of a richly memorable. completely warm and moving, compelling, enjoyable, is thoroughly This book This book immediately. almost again, read it to of wanting experience rare I had that very recommended be could It mystery. and fiction literary fiction, of popular lines the crosses Tim writer), interesting more a Womersley’s think I (though Kate Grenville to fans of more. and Miller Alex Temple, Peter Carey, Peter Silvey, Craig Condon, Winton, Matthew Bookseller+Publisher Jennifer writes places, uncomfortable dark, into reader the leads novel startling A award Womersley's in Chris Late Levasseur. strange abilities, a calming presence, and issues to resolve that are related to his own. to are related that resolve to issues and presence, calming a abilities, strange plus outsiders, and its inhabitants town, plains western of this descriptions Womersley’s The charged. emotionally and rich are fresh, London, to and war to the the flashbacks and are compelling, complex, incredibly not are plotlines their though characters, main characters and the setting both in mood of layer added an is There fascinating. even magical gothic, tantalisingly, is dangled, really) sooner, come could (which resolution the why appreciate so description, thick) never (but skillful and development character of chapters through comes it that when picture complete a such have you then By cool!’ … ‘oh go was to mine, that and to similar moments satisfying final the watching is like it that surrounds his and his state of Quinn, The Independent (UK) Independent The Chris Womersley’s 1912, in that states prologue The salvation. and conflict loss, of love, tale gripping a rich, ‘fly in the storm a during scene. fled the He body. sister’s battered his to next knife a holding long this with begins then The novel home. back bound ship a War, on Great in the trenches the in time his death after and from gas of coughing face, fits and his scar across a large include war of the Remnants them. In confront to returning he is and past, Quinn’s lie from scars deeper but exposure; his face show he cannot so murderer’, as ‘the known he is of Flint, the town has who Sadie, girl, orphan tough a befriends He mother. sick his unburden least to at out fear inflicted in the trenches, until he has the courage to face the aggressor. It is a journey journey a is It the aggressor. face to courage the he has until trenches, the in inflicted fear This childhood. of with bogeyman the grapple must he eventually until maturity towards novel.’ isdistinguishable a
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Bereft old Quinn old Quinn -
turning turning - year - of running out, of out, of running
—
pushes at the borders of literary fiction fiction of literary borders the at pushes
Bereft , Womersley's new novel, is a strong, more more a strong, isnovel, new Womersley's , Bereft Bereft
Chris Womersley Chris up that explores some similar themes but urges them to new new to them urges but themes similar some explores up that -
, winner of the Ned Kelly award for best first book, examines the the examines book, first for best award Kelly the Ned of , winner old Sadie is savvier than he, more adept at survival and that she knows she knows that and survival at adept more he, than savvier is old Sadie -
year -
leads the reader into dark, uncomfortable places but never abandons the promise promise the abandons never but places uncomfortable dark, into reader the leads The Low Road TheLow were felt what they beyond pushed men of wrong, hopelessly gone of lives anguish capabilities. their of the limits follow compelling depths. conceived, and written Beautifully page a into life man's one in incident horrific a spinning thriller, and Womersley, an Age journalist, writes. "Always the same fears fears same the "Always writes. journalist, Age an Womersley, alone." himself to abandoned being of bereft, himself finding
Bereft the through reader the guides hand confident Womersley's redemption. and of justice his orphans. of dreams misguided and desires tangled a by childhood his happy ripped from of a man journey fierce but tender moving, is a This evil face the to dead the from returned and war, by deformed and forged crime, gruesome the examines the novel sister, and story of brother love chaste A world. his that destroyed medal or (a notoriety public how family, rebuild and discard we which in ways surprising the comfort we how a person, about than a society about more says often a slur) chances. second and ofalone, grief and left struggling those bereaved, Age The and murderer. and as suffice to learn as they bond passionate oddly yet a cautious develop Sadie and Quinn he whatever him to becomes Sadie person. missing of substitute shadow other's each pushing years, craved for he's oranges the supplying danger, from him needs, protecting and wants her family, lost own her for grieving girl, little a real she Is vow. his fulfil him to the sprite, bossy gutsy, this her, he conjured has Or own? his as true and askeen desires match? a near her name sister, dead his as age same and of war horrors the experienced family, his of loss the through has lived Quinn Though terrible the by paralysed teenager that still is he ways many in murderer, the label of father to the innocence his of proving hope no has He moments. last sister's of his vision failure. his for he atones live until truly never will him, he but to hang vow uncle, who and the scene with a knife in hand and covered in blood, Quinn is the obvious suspect. When When suspect. obvious is Quinn the in blood, covered and hand in a knife with the scene guilt. his doubts one no he flees, of gas, effects the suffering and disfigured War, Great the from he returns later, years Ten of a time 1919, of epidemic influenza the Set during death. Sarah's to avenge compelled world, of the end of the rumour and war, by destroyed families lostinnocence, is one no trusted, be can one no suddenly when juncture new and a strange at itself finds were. once who they is who girl orphan young a meets Quinn town, the overlooking hills in the cover Under is it meeting, first From their war. the from return brother's her awaiting hiding, also 12 clearthat murder the of details including should, anyone than his family and him more about much reflection on grief and guilt, on the nature of storytelling and its inevitable joys and and inevitable joys its and of storytelling nature the on guilt, and grief on reflection to survive. in order to believe have we what on shortcomings, 16 rush, gold the after deserted nearly town Wales South New a small In at Found Sarah. sister, little his beloved of murder and the rape with shatters life Walker's
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—
traumaticstress syndrome. Wasthis - Bereft
Discussion Questions Discussion Questions
Chris Womersley Chris
In thefirstIn part theof novel getwea pretty goodlook at the ofQuinn today and,through hismemories, theQuinn of beforeas well: what wereyour first thoughts on Quinn? author The goesto greatlengths giveto usa picture of the Spanish flu epidemicof 1919. alreadyyou Did knowabout Howit? doeswell theauthor describeit? This flu famously killed more peoplethan the How war. youdo thinkthe historical context in which the novel is setaffects the actions thecharactersof and the eventsof thenarrative? The author The spends alot of time revisitingQuinn’s war experiences,via Qinn’s memories,
1. 2. 3. alsobut viathe effects nowknowwe as post significanceof the figure of the “outsider” in the book? this Does bookoffer adystopian vision? Wasthe murder Robertof Daltonnecessary thestory,to itdid fit? Berefttouches heavily onideassuperstition of and spiritualism during and the period it was commonforpeople to visit spiritualists. Do you think thatthey could really provideclosure do Why you think Quinn decidedto runaway hissister when wasdiscovered? Would haveyou run? How wellyoudo think theauthorhandles the sense of place in thenovel? And how important you do think thesense placeof is in relationto the narrative? The noveldeals heavilyquite withexistence on the margins of society. doWhat you thinkof the Jim Gracie callsJim theQuinn angel of death andwe’re led to believethat he is remorsefulforhispast actions.Healso says that Robert madehim thosedo things.youDo believehis suicide was becausehe wassorry or becausehe would caughtbe and punished? asksto tellhisfather herwhat happened onthe day SarahQuinn died. thinks this mayatrap be you? did tellsQuinn hismother about the years since he left, but hestill refuses to tellher who killedSarah. Why? What youwould have done? finallyQuinn confessesto Sadie whathappened the day Sarahaftershe died shows himthe “souvenirs”that Robert has from kept hisvictims. Do you he think should havetold her? knowWe that Sadie did dabblein the occult,and shewhen takes Quinn thecaveto of hands and sacrificesthe lamb, thisfact is made plain.Did you believein Sadie as a practitioner? Whilein the cemetery sweating in his boots Quinntells PorteousMrs. that yes, he didmeet her inhusbandEgypt, and yes, he did talk about her. Wasthis amerely way tostall hisuncle, or do thinkyou he did forher it sake too? Trust Trust between andQuinn Sadie is slowto develop: why? likeyou Do the way theauthor treats this relationship? Howimportant afactor youdo thinktheir difference age is? Does it makethe relationshipthey havemore less or difficultto attain/retain? When Quinn findsSadie she is almost aferal child, wild possiblyand mad;how reliable youto herconsider perspective to be? do Why you think choseQuinn to tellSadie thingsthat he has nevertoldanyone else? IsSadie real? is What thesignificance Mary’sof tellingher children the stories she told theywhen weresmall? is What thesignificance theof blood oath that Sadiemade Quinn take? is caughtQuinn in hismother’s sick roomas his father stands outsidethe window.His mother convincing? What youdid learnabout PTSS? Withouthisfather’s knowledge visitsQuinn his mother, sufferingis who and near death the from flu. What did Quinn’svisits hiswith mother tell aboutyou their relationship? How relevant is thefact that Sadie is thesame age as Sarah waswhen murdered?
23. (fromthe Barnesand Noble bookclubs onlinediscussion) 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 13. 14. 15. 16. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 4. 5.
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