Isabelle of the moon and stars
“S.A. Jones writes with great sensitivity about love's assymetrical push and pull as well as her protagonist's emotional fragility: her missteps along the way to mental and physical buoyancy.” Thuy On, author Turbulence, Sunday Age
“A stunning exploration of the dark places within us, Isabelle of the Moon & Stars caught me by surprise; the beautiful prose reeled me in and let me go hours later, satisfied and thoughtful ... Isabelle’s story resounds with authenticity. At times it’s raw and honest; at others it’s confronting, especially where pre-existing stigmas about mental illness are challenged – as they should.” WriteNote Reviews
“[A] brave and beautifully-written investigation of depression, anxiety, desire, morality and intimacy ... Jones is refreshingly sympathetic yet unflinching in her examination of the fault lines of desire, insecurity and weakness [and] shirks the strictures of the Madonna/whore dichotomy, imbuing Isabelle with great complexity.” Veronica Sullivan, Kill Your Darlings
Released by UWAP, this cult novel was shortlisted for the Most Underrated Book Award of 2015.
Ever since the incident, Isabelle has been stuck in a dead-end job, trying desperately to keep it together and ward off ‘The Black Place’.
Her best friend Evan is her safe haven. They laugh at each other’s jokes, share the same interests and take the piss out of each other with the ruthless efficiency of long acquaintance. Sex isn’t an issue because Evan has made a bargain with God to keep it in his pants and Isabelle is still recovering from being deserted by her fiancé Karl. Then just as Evan reconsiders his vow, Isabelle contrives a bizarre passion for her boss, Jack.
Everything implodes one suffocatingly hot Australia Day. Escaping the resulting chaos, Isabelle flees to Prague where she must finally confront her fears.
A provocative and funny novel about the dark places, both personal and historical, from one of Australia’s brightest new voices.
Links:
Book club notes: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0542/4573/files/Isabelle_BC_d70cb20f-25af-4d0b-898c-eb0f38b4b6ab.pdf?4858
https://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/4f57de47deac
https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/art/doublespeak-completely-insane-ng-ya-380244
https://amandacurtin.com/2014/11/03/2-2-and-2-s-a-jones-talks-about-isabelle-of-the-moon-and-stars/
