Never Look Desperate

by Rachel Matthews

Never Look Desperate is Sedaris meets Fleabag, a tragi-comedy romance set in Melbourne 2023. It features cremation bling, pineapple underwear, grief and vaccinated cruise ships. The central characters Bernard, Goldie and Minh are everything TED Talks tell you not to be.The story tackles the absurdity of despair in a recovering world, the liberation from isolation and the wild frontier of middle-aged Tinder.'Matthews’s voice is funny and wry and heartbreakingly honest. She has empathy for everyone — even those of us who, like Bernard, are a little bit hopeless but not entirely without hope...' — Toni Jordan, author of Addition, Nine Days, Fall Girl‘Rachel Matthews understands the pleasures of tragi-comedy and knows exactly how to deliver them — the giggle that turns into a sob, the delight that morphs into insight, the black humour that assuages grief. The vulnerabilities of her characters make you want to scold them, scoop them up and tell them you love them.’ — Sian Prior, author of A memoir and A story of freedom and longing'Matthews writes with unflinching honesty tempered by humour and a wise compassion. Touching, funny and sexy, Never Look Desperate is transgressive but hugely readable…' — Clare Strahan, Cracked and The Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge‘Never Look Desperate shines light on generational trauma and the effects it carries through our bloodlines in the most elegant and sophisticated ways. Without being afraid to touch on controversial topics, Rachel Matthews reveals the struggle of each character and their subsequent triumphs, entwining their stories to deliver a masterpiece on fear, resilience and, finally, love.’ — Shayling Ngo, journalist, Seven West Media, Perth'Dense, wry, glorious and tragic…figures who lodge deep in the heart…the unravelling and humiliation of being human…with humour, complexity and wit. There are precarious moments evoked in the wider cultural backdrop to this story—the post-viral anxiety runs like a vein beneath the characters’ every thought. This work feels timely and tender.' — Ilka Tampke, author of Skin and Songwoman'I was hooked. Rachel’s characters are always exquisitely crafted, yet utterly real.' — Di Websdale-Morrisey, On A Wing and a Prayer

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Rachel Matthews is a Melbourne author and educator. She recently completed her second novel, Siren, as a PhD in creative writing at Victoria University. Her first novel, Vinyl Inside, was commended in the 2003 Australian Vogel Award and received strong reviews in the press.

Matthews has over 15 years experience as a tutor and lecturer in professional writing within a diverse range of learning environments. These include RMIT's Professional Writing and Editing programs and short courses, the VCE English department at the Distance Education Centre Victoria and writing programs at the Centre for Adult Education (CAE) in Melbourne.

She is also an experienced presenter with the Victorian Association for Teachers of English.

Reviews

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Look Desperate is Sedaris meets Fleabag, a tragi-comedy romance set in Melbourne 2023. It features cremation bling, pineapple underwear, grief and vaccinated cruise ships. The central characters Bernard, Goldie and Minh are everything TED Talks tell you not to be.

I jumped in to this one blind, right before meeting Rachel Matthews in person. Then I realised this was a tragicomedy, and ended up really enjoying it! It was so funny in a dark way.

Rachel’s character designs were amazing. Every single character in this book was unique, fresh and three dimensional. From Minh who was navigating the challenges of midlife dating via app swiping, to the ‘golden retriever’ Bernard who was still struggling with his identity and relationship with her mother in midlife. And then we had Goldie, Bernard’s mother, who was unlike anyone else I’d met in real life, with healthy habits and boy toy.

The interesting characters and dialogues were made even more so by the Melbourne setting, which was super familiar to me. I felt like I was actually there with the characters while watching the plot unfolding.

Bernard had a special place in my heart, because he was the epitome of a plain, good, kind-hearted guy who wouldn’t usually be given much airtime in fiction. I mean, bad boys are fun in books but in real life you’d want Bernard-type for a content life 😆.

I’m so excited to read more books from Rachel!

See my bookstagram review.