Guardian Australia editors have curated a selection of new local books for March, ranging from gripping novels to thought-provoking non-fiction. Among the highlights is Loveland by John Lukins, a novel that explores the lives of two women separated by decades, both trapped in abusive marriages. The story follows May, who escapes Brisbane for a decaying boathouse in Nebraska, and her grandmother Casey, who lived there in 1956. Critic Beejay Silcox praises Lukins for giving his characters dignity without defining them by their trauma.
Omar Sakr's debut novel Son of Sin is a coming-of-age tale about Jamal, a Lebanese-Australian man discovering his attraction to men while navigating his Muslim community in western Sydney. Sakr, a poet who won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for the Lost Arabs, infuses the narrative with warmth and humour, drawing from his own experiences. The story explores themes of belonging across Sydney and Lebanon.
In non-fiction, Julianne Schultz's The Idea of Australia: A Search for the Soul of a Nation examines the nation's intellectual and cultural history. Schultz delves into conflicting perspectives on Australian identity, asking whether the country embodies a 'fair go' or insularity. Lucy Clark describes it as a 'deeply thoughtful and provocative biography of a country'.
Andrew Roff's short story collection The Teeth of a Slow Machine tackles contemporary issues from Covid to offshore detention with dark humour. The Adelaide lawyer's debut features stories in code, inside a video game, and a noir about a fried-chicken conglomerate. Imogen Dewey notes its 'bleak, technological and tender' tone, comparing Roff to George Saunders.
Lauren Burns's memoir Triple Helix: My Donor-Conceived Story explores her discovery at age 21 that she was donor-conceived. The aeronautical engineer embarks on a legal quest to uncover her biological father, known only as C11, leading to a revelation about a well-known Australian family. Lucy Clark praises Burns's 'novelistic sensibility' in exploring connection and belonging.
Finally, Becky Manawatu's Auē, though a New Zealand release, is highlighted for its Australian launch. The debut novel deals with intergenerational gang violence through alternating voices, eliciting compassion from dark places. It has already won multiple awards in New Zealand and is expected to resonate with Australian readers.
