The Beautiful Words

Vanessa McCausland

$32.99

Paperback

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English

HARPER360
01 December 2021

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945); Romance; Australian Fiction

Two best friends, one summer night, and twenty years of silence ... what happened at the lighthouse?

The stunning, haunting new novel from the author of The Lost Summers of Driftwood.

Sylvie is a lover of words and a collector of stories, only she has lost her own. She has no words for that night at the lighthouse when their lives changed forever.

What happened to cleave her apart from her best friend and soulmate, Kase?

Sylvie yearns to rekindle their deep connection, so when Kase invites her to the wild Tasmanian coast to celebrate her 40th birthday, she accepts - despite the ghosts she must face.

As Sylvie struggles to find her feet among old friends, she bonds with local taxi boat driver Holden. But he is hiding from the world, too.

Through an inscription in an old book, Sylvie and Kase discover their mothers have a history, hidden from their daughters. As they unpick what took place before they were born, they're forced to face the rift in their own friendship, and the question of whether it's ever okay to keep a secret to protect the person you love.

Vanessa McCausland's enthralling new novel is about betrayal and forgiveness, the stories we tell, and the healing power of words.

'This evocative novel completely captivated me and I didn't want it to end. Vanessa McCausland is a remarkable storyteller.' Petronella McGovern

'Vanessa McCausland doesn't disappoint! Lyrical and evocative, the trauma and emotion rises off the pages along with the salt spray and the haunting cries of the eagles.' Fiona Lowe

'McCausland's poetic writing makes the heart sing. Graceful and glorious.' Alexandra Joel

'Reading a Vanessa McCausland book is like indulging in fine dark chocolate - her writing is decadent, dark, complex and luxurious. In this book she takes her lyricism to a new level, reveling in the power of words and stories to both heal and harm.' Cassie Hamer

'Rich with atmosphere and moral conflicts, The Beautiful Words sensitively explores the intricacies of two generations bound by secrets, with McCausland's trademark, hauntingly lyrical prose. It's a gifted storyteller that keeps me up way past my bedtime, but once again, I found myself unable to put Vanessa McCausland's novel down.' Maya Linnell

'Intriguing ... The Beautiful Words is a compelling story in a uniquely Australian setting for fans of Hannah Richell or Emily Bitto.' Books + Publishing

'Breathtaking ... Rich with atmosphere and written in haunting, melodic prose, The Beautiful Words is a powerful and timely work of fiction that celebrates the importance of female friendship and women's voices. Ultimately, though, it is a tale of healing, and a love letter to words and the power of storytelling.' Better Reading

'A clever and wonderful book' Herald Sun

By: Vanessa McCausland
Imprint: HARPER360
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 27mm
Weight: 443g
ISBN: 9781460759585
ISBN 10: 1460759583
Publication Date: 01 December 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Vanessa McCausland studied English at Sydney University and has worked as a journalist for nearly 20 years. Her writing has appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, Mamamia, Body+Soul, and Kidspot.com.au. She is currently a contributing editor at News Corp. Vanessa lives in Sydney with her husband and daughter.