Touching Earth Lightly

by Margo Lanagan

A confronting, intensely moving story about the intricate bonds of friendship, the shock of a brutal death, the slow torment of grief, and the seeds of happiness.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Margo Lanagan, born in Waratah, New South Wales, is an Australian writer of short stories and young adult fiction.

Many of her books, including YA fiction, were only published in Australia. Recently, several of her books have attracted worldwide attention. Her short story collection Black Juice won two World Fantasy Awards. It was published in Australia by Allen & Unwin and the United Kingdom by Gollancz in 2004, and in North America by HarperCollins in 2005. It includes the much-anthologized short story "Singing My Sister Down".

Her short story collection White Time, originally published in Australia by Allen & Unwin in 2000, was published in North America by HarperCollins in August 2006, after the success of Black Juice.

Reviews

[Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story, beautifully told. This is one of those books that's sort of on the edge of the "young adult" genre -- which I guess makes sense as the protagonist is in her gap year between high school and university. Apart from the fact that the main characters are in their late teens, and the subject matter is thus tied to the feelings and experiences of that time of life, there's little that marks this as a young adult book, especially as it progresses. The same story written for an adult audience would have been different, certainly, but stylistically it reads like any other novel (which I think I preferred even when I was in the target age bracket). I'm not sure if that's because Margo Lanagan also writes for adults; I don't think that's it. In any case she writes beautifully -- I think she's at her most powerful in her short stories, but perhaps more consistent in her novels.

The strange thing is that I'm sure I would have remembered this novel, but either I'd read just two pages of it before, or read the whole thing and forgotten all but two pages. The two bits I'd remembered were both Janey's artworks. I don't know if that means I have more of a visual memory than I'd thought or what. Odd.

Chloe's family remind me so much of one that I know.

[Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. One of those books that makes you wonder why you're reading it because it's sad and awful, but that's also the reason you have to keep reading, so you can find out what happens (even though you know it's not going to be a happy ending, but you hope somehow it will be!)

[Michael Earp · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was something! Didn't connect as much as with Margo's fantasy, but still powerful!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful look at a close friendship where the main character comes from a normal family and her best friend is so full of life and energy but you realise is from serious dysfunction.

I think it's beautiful to show this friendship in a way that doesn't judge any of the characters but it is a hard read with references of rape, incest, death and violence. This is handled really well but may be triggering for some people.

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book, emotionally wrenching at times but well written. couldn't put it down in the last third

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like either of the main characters. The book did evoke some strong feelings in me, but just wasn't an enjoyable read.