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Like a House on Fire

Cate Kennedy

$29.99

Paperback

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English
Scribe Publications
26 September 2012
From prizewinning short-story writer Cate Kennedy comes a new collection to rival her highly acclaimed Dark Roots. In Like a House on Fire, Kennedy once again takes ordinary lives and dissects their ironies and injustices and pleasures with her humane eye and wry sense of humour. In 'Laminex and Mirrors', a young woman working as a cleaner in a hospital helps an elderly patient defy doctor's orders. In 'Cross Country', a jilted lover manages to misinterpret her ex's new life. And in 'Ashes', a son accompanies his mother on a journey to scatter his father's remains, while lifelong resentments simmer in the background. Cate Kennedy's poignant short stories find the beauty and tragedy in illness and mortality, life and love.

'One of the world's finest short-story writers.' Robert Drewe

'Cate Kennedy's anger is a cleansing fire. Her stories ache with small mercies - tender, life-affirming, real.' Hilary McPhee

By:  
Imprint:   Scribe Publications
Country of Publication:   Australia
Dimensions:   Height: 210mm,  Width: 135mm,  Spine: 22mm
Weight:   275g
ISBN:   9781922070067
ISBN 10:   1922070068
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 15 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General/trade ,  ELT Advanced ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Reviews for Like a House on Fire

'Cate Kennedy is among the very best of short story writers ... bewitching.' * Ballarat Courier * 'This is a heartfelt and moving collection of short stories that cuts right to the emotional centre of everyday life.' * Bookseller & Publisher * 'Short fiction at its best.' * Instyle Magazine * 'Cate Kennedy's anger is a cleansing fire. Her stories ache with small mercies - tender, life-affirming, real.' -- Hilary McPhee 'One of the world's finest short-story writers'. -- Robert Drewe 'Cate Kennedy writes with the warm understanding and cold precision of a master.' -- David Malouf 'Cate Kennedy is a singular artist who looks to the ordinary in a small rural community and is particularly astute on exploring the fallout left by the aftermath of the personal disasters that change everything.' -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *


  • Long-listed for ALS Gold Medal 2013 (Australia)
  • Short-listed for Kibble Award 2013 (Australia)
  • Short-listed for Nita B. Kibble Award 2013 (Australia)
  • Short-listed for Stella Prize 2013 (Australia)
  • Shortlisted for Nita B. Kibble Award 2013.
  • Shortlisted for Stella Prize 2013.

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