Edenhope

by Louise Le Nay

Marnie is sixty-three and downwardly mobile. Her middle-class marriage is long gone, her only child more or less estranged. She’s living in a granny flat behind a stranger’s house.

Still, things could be worse. She likes her new boss, Trinh, and her flat has a leadlight window depicting a galleon in full sail. Also, her daughter Lenny has just brought Marnie’s adored grandchildren to stay.

She’s also brought her repellent boyfriend and raging drug habit, so nothing new there. But this time it’s different. This time Marnie can see with absolute clarity the danger the children are in.

And this time—she’s going to do something about it.

This is the revelatory story of an ordinary woman who will let nothing, not even the law, stand in the way of her grandchildren’s safety. Simply, elegantly told and utterly compelling, Edenhope is an adventure for those who believe adventure can come from anywhere. And it is a love story for those who understand that love can be found everywhere.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Family

368 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was outstanding.

I have decided it is MY BOOK OF THE YEAR.

Louise has covered addiction perfectly; it is what happens. ‘Rules do not apply’ to the addict. The heartbreak of not caring for your child, your family, your mum, your health. Rotten teeth. Selfishness and a complete abandon of self. I know this first hand to be the case, and my copy will now be passed on to family member who I know will see the similarities the way I do.. This is a debut which completely knocks that word out of the park.

Marnie has always been there for Lenny, she’s 63, she should be ready for some quiet times, to potter around and be free. She has not been this at all, ever since Lenny found trouble at an early age.

This is not just a story of the now, and the fallout of the addiction, it follows Marie’s past and the wonderful people who formed the wonderful woman we see today. Others have helped her along the way and continue to. The ensemble characters I loved, I felt embraced just as I wished Marnie did, a little more than she let on.

Centrelink, our financial government assistance program, plays a main role in this one, the limits and the good and bad players involved here. Marnie advocated for her grandbabies when no one else would.

“I took them away because I didn't want to look at them anymore, Lenny and Bray, lying there all over my bed with their crap all over my flat. Off their faces, useless — the kids on the floor, on a doona, both wet right up their T-shirts to their necks, sucking on an empty bottle, both sucking on the same bottle because there wasn't anything else”.

My most high recommendation. I’d love to share my copy when my family are finished with this! Congratulations on this remarkable debut, Louise. You have my heart with this one. How did you know this theme so well?

Thank you #textpublishing for my #gifted copy, I am embarrassed it has taken so long to post my review. Life got in the way.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it really hard to put this book down the further I got into it. It’s about Marnie, a woman in her sixties whose daughter, Lenny is an addict. Lenny has has two small children. When Lenny, her boyfriend and the children turn up back in Marnie’s life she is living in a small garden flat and has a part time job. It’s not a book about addiction, it’s about the affects of addiction on the other family members. Marnie has to make decisions that are against her daughters wishes but in the interests of her children. There’s also much about friends, and communities caring for each other. Just ordinary people getting on with life. I really got involved with the characters. A great read.

[Text Publishing]

The following reviews have been shared by Text Publishing - publisher of Edenhope:

‘A moving story about one woman’s unconditional love, the kindness of strangers, and what’s right as well as what’s wrong with the way we live now.’
Amanda Lohrey

‘Fiction is one road to empathy, and Louise Le Nay’s Edenhope offers unblinkered clarity…Overheard dialogue, sharply realised characters, and an imaginative grasp as informed as Caroline Overington’s novels…’
Age/SMH, fiction pick of the week

‘Edenhope’s tenderness, harrowing truth and everyday beauty makes it one of the must-read fiction books of the year.’
Australian Arts Review

‘5 stars. A quietly unfolding novel with contemporarily impacting themes of Australian society woven through the narrative…Thought provoking and deeply emotional.’
Theresa Smith Writes

‘The splendour of this contemporary novel is in the quiet, practical resilience that emanates from Marnie throughout the ordeal…Brilliantly characterised by Le Nay…What follows is a cathartic journey filled with moments of tension as well as peace, despair and hope…Marnie is likely to be wholly recognisable to many women the world over, yet people like her rarely come to the fore in novels…All of this makes Marnie—and her quietly courageous story—entirely and compellingly relatable.’
Weekend Australian

‘If Edenhope was a film, it would be edge-of-the-seat stuff, a two-tissue tale with all the feels…Le Nay’s understanding of character enriches not only the major players but also the many and varied country people who come to the little family’s aid…Readers will cheer for Marnie and want her to take several curtain calls.’
NZ Listener

‘4 stars. I loved the short, very simply, but expertly written chapters. I loved the fact that the main character was a woman in her sixties…I enjoyed that her age and upbringing gave her wise takes on people and the world. I loved all of the side characters, even the unpleasant ones…And I loved the relationships…[Edenhope] has real heart, and I would highly recommend it.’
Good Reading

‘4.5 stars. Heartache and hope sing a thematic duet…A potent, highly relatable character in the matriarchal heroine...Exciting narrative and rich in colourful rural Australiana.’
Mercury

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose it: I loved the sound of the description and was drawn to the cover.

Themes: Family, friendships, addiction, child neglect, social welfare, homelessness in women over 50, grandparents parenting their children’s children.

For fans of: quietly unfolding novels with contemporarily impacting themes of Australian society woven through the narrative.

The good: There is so much that was good about this novel. I loved Marnie’s fierce determination to protect her grandchildren from their own mother, her daughter. She faced down the unknown and stood her ground so many times when I could picture myself wavering if placed in the same situation. I loved the demonstration, many times over, of the kindness of strangers towards Marnie and the little ones. The way in which the author depicted navigating the channels of Centrelink and Child Safety was realistically frustrating, but also balanced, as there were people within the system trying to assist, despite the system not being set up to allow for speed and certain services. Kudos as well to the family lawyer giving their time pro bono and going more than the extra mile to help people like Marnie out.

The not so good: Lenny was a hard character to muster any empathy towards. She was an addict, yes, but she was also just a mean, selfish, entitled loser. I could empathise with Marnie, from a mother point of view, as to why she kept trying and caring, but from an outsider point of view, I just wanted Marnie to cut her loose. The author dug into this dilemma so well – at what point do we step back from being a parent and just focus on parenting the grandchildren? When is it okay to give up on your own child and accept they are a lost cause? Such a profound dilemma, with no real answers, of course.

In brief: A thought provoking and deeply emotional story about a woman who has been driven to the point of destitution by her daughter’s drug habit and her quest to save her grandchildren from certain harm. I was gripped by this story from the outset and loved all of it, far more than I had been expecting to. It would make for a terrific book club pick. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Text Publishing for the review copy.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Text Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
Edenhope is a poignant and emotional story of one woman’s adventure to keep her grandchildren safe.
Sixty three year old Marnie is a grandmother, looking for a job, divorced and living in a very small granny flat in the backyard of a stranger.
She is also a mother of an addict.
Then Lenny turns up with her odious boyfriend and two young kids.
Her love of booze and drugs makes for messy episodes but Marnie has had enough and realises the kids are in danger.
So now she is going to do something about it…….
A sensitive and charitable pathway into a delicate and all too familiar subject.
I enjoyed this book that unfortunately has become all too real in reality.
Louise’s writing is compassionate and her storytelling is tender.
The characters are wonderfully portrayed and the authenticity is very well executed.
A book I should have gotten to sooner but am happy to have read it now.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, powerful book about what it means to be a mother.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the way Roseghetto has stayed with me, so will Edenhope. This was a book I could not put down despite the sometimes harrowing and often heartbreaking journey of Marnie as she battles to keep her grandchildren safe and ensure they feel loved. I cried in sheer despair and heartache numerous times. Set in and around country Victoria and Melbourne this is an insight into living with addiction and the toll that takes on family. As a mother we would do almost anything for our families, but at times I could not believe the lengths Marnie went to, her courage and strength. And yet at other times I found myself angry with her, shouting "enough" as she yet again divested her future and her happiness to an addict.
Brilliant. A fantastic read.

[Belinda Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy topics, easy read.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

63 year old Marnie is just setting up her new life. Recently single, a new part time job in a new town, a little granny flat rented in someone else’s backyard, she’s just figuring it all out. Until her estranged daughter, less than desirable boyfriend and two grandchildren show up. Marnie can’t sit by and watch as her daughter’s drug addiction is consuming her at the expense of the children. Marnie steps in and takes the situation into her own hands.
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This book is so raw. So real. It could be a relatable story for so many. There are definitely plenty of triggering themes woven throughout; abuse, poverty, addiction, drug use, homelessness.
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Oh Marnie, she took some of my heart with her as she did what was best for the children. Although frustrating at times - Why won’t you say something! Why won’t you ask for help? And an ending that isn’t all finished up with a bow- we ultimately see a story of community, love, acceptance and connection. I loved this book. It really is a gem!

[chapterchasers_nz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly touching exploration of love, sacrifice, and hope.

Edenhope by Louise Le Nay is a powerful, heart-wrenching novel that explores complex family dynamics through the story of Marnie, a 63-year-old grandmother determined to protect her grandchildren from their mother’s drug addiction.

Exploring the challenging themes of addiction, family dynamics, and survival with remarkable sensitivity, Marnie’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring - It’s a celebration of the courage that lives in ordinary women facing extraordinary challenges.

It’s raw, real, and beautifully written - the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for an emotional but hopeful story about family, this is your next must-read!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because it’s named after the town my grandparents lived and where we spent our Christmas holidays during my childhood. The story was so much more compelling than I expected. The bits set in Edenhope felt so alive to me. I could picture it so clearly. I kept thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading the book. I’m so grateful I picked it up.

[Gavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book on the topic of single older women and their tenuous financial situation. And how to deal with difficult children. A great story arc, great cast and great writing. This might sound weird, but perhaps a little overly positive (there weren't enough "bad" characters and events). Certainly a story told with love for the central character.

[Elsa Termato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put this down. Wondering all the time how it might be resolved. Without resort to sentimentality as it turned out. As with effect of it all on the children. I liked that it did not spell everything out but revealed enough to get an understanding of possible reasons for the daughter’s behaviour and the context for Marnie to find herself in this situation. Difficult.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and tender story of unconditional love.

I really enjoyed our 63-year-old protagonist Marnie, with her honesty, courage and wise perspective.

Some difficult topics are covered in this story, although I found it was handled with nuance, insight and grace.

[Jillwilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have to be one of my favourite books this year. It was totally unexpected – I grabbed it off the bookshelf because it has quite a nice cover and I wondered what could possible be in a novel about Edenhope. I assumed it was about the Victorian town of Edenhope and it made me think about the positively of this town’s name. I think I might have only been there once but maybe I am mixing it up with Hopetoun. It seems that there is a lot of Hope required in western Victoria.

Marnie is the central character, a woman in her 60s who is experiencing the kind of poverty that many women of this age have when their marriages end. Things have not been easy for Marnie and when we first meet her, she is moving into a bungalow in someone’s backyard and has found a part-time job at a bargain variety store. Nothing is easy but she is good at making do. Then her daughter barrels back into her life, along with her two small kids, her loser boyfriend and her corrosive drug habit. They take up camp in Marnie’s bungalow and things unravel from here. Marnie has to work out how best to protect her grandchildren who are about 3 and 1 in age.

I don’t want to give any more of the plot away because it’s quite a tense read. One reviewer notes: “Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Edenhope is the way Le Nay captures the frank thoughts of her worldly-wise 60-plus protagonist. At one extremity, when Marnie needs to speak with Centerlink staff, she reflects: When you were young it was easier, you could be miserable and still command a kind of positive presence. Now … these men would judge her as incompetent; worse, pitiable. That’s what happened when you were older. At the other, after a night spent at a local fundraiser at the pub: It never left you, she thought later, lying sleepless in bed. Desire, like an exotic warmth … purposeful yet undirected, a fire that would not go out. Sixty-three years old and lying awake, filled with it.” (https://www.welltold.com.au/bookrevie...)

Part of the focus of the novel is a lens on the ways in which “society” helps, hinders or actively blocks what is possible for an individual. Marnie experiences all three of these forces but mostly, people are actively kind from the women in the op shop who load her up with children’s clothes, to the help of a social worker and of a kind hairdresser in a country town. The kindnesses are contrasted with the officiousness of another social worker who is actively hostile and wary. The dilemma explored in the book is the question – where are children better off? One reviewer notes: “The author dug into this dilemma so well – at what point do we step back from being a parent and just focus on parenting the grandchildren? When is it okay to give up on your own child and accept they are a lost cause?” (https://theresasmithwrites.com/2024/0...)

Le Nay is great at creating tension – at times I couldn’t put the book down. I really enjoyed this novel.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do in Marnie Odell’ s shoes?

She’s sixty-three years old and is re-establishing herself after a failed marriage. Marnie has obtained a part-time job at Treen’s Bargain Variety Store and found a small garden flat nearby in suburban Melbourne. Small steps towards a better, independent life. But the reappearance of her daughter Eleanor (Lenny) with her two small children Frankie and Koa, and boyfriend Brayden turns Marnie’s life upside down. Lenny and Brayden are addicts and responsible parenting is not high on their agenda.

What would you do in Marnie O’Dell’s shoes? After a couple of days, Marnie cannot ignore the danger she sees the children are in. She takes Frankie and Koa and heads into country Victoria. It is not easy: with little money and no clear destination in mind, Marnie does her best to look after Frankie and Koa even when they are all reduced to sleeping in her car.

This is a story about the impacts of addiction on family, about trying to negotiate the shoals of parenting across two generations. Marnie is caught between her care for her daughter (who is dishonest and disrespectful) and her knowledge that the children are not safe with Lenny and Brayden.

I am older than Marnie and have not personally had to face the issues she is dealing with. But I know others who have. I know of grandparents who parent their grandchildren because their own children are incapable, unable or unwilling. I’ve seen cases where people get lost in the bureaucracy of child protection and financial support, and cases where the law makes a bad situation worse. I’m also aware of the kindness of individuals and the work of (some) dedicated charities giving people a hand up rather than a handout.

Once I picked this novel up, I had to keep reading to see how it would end. Ms Le Nay tackles issues of addiction, homelessness and neglect with sensitivity. Marnie’s situation is not unique, unfortunately. I felt sorry for Marnie, and for her grandchildren. And yes, I felt some intermittent sympathy for Lenny, in the thralls of addiction.

I finished the story, wishing that the situations Ms Le Nay describes were solely confined to fiction.

I finished, hoping for a better, brighter future for Marnie, Frankie and Koa.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down but chiefly because it is set geographically around where I grew up, and returned to live. I wanted to enjoy it for more than that however, but didn't. It came across as just another middle class dysfunctional family porn effort where the main character is the heroine and the things she experienced and choices made totally unbelievable. She sleeps in her car after rescuing her two grandchildren but her experiences read without credibility - more someone imagining what it would be like than it being real, her approaches that of a tidy housewife finding solutions that required the safety of a home to be as easy as they are written, not so cramped in a car for days with distressed children. The babytalk does not improve things. Her daughter and boyfriend are two dimensional figures made up of characteristics that read almost as if taken from a guide to writing capital L Low Life, thus perpetuating stereotypes rather than giving the reader fully developed characters. We are told the daughter is dreadful and always had been from early childhood, but there is no insight into that childhood or what might have led to her behaviour except in terms of all the wonderful things her self-sacrificing, long suffering mother did for her. As I read this absence became more and more glaring. The mother's unconvincing behaviour in her situation is also a problem. The scenes in the car, the emphasis on the importance of haircuts, the amount of generous help she was given by so many - something that doesn't happen in the real world, and more - all left an unpleasant after taste when I finished. Pity, as the basic plot could have worked but only if certain superior than thou middle class preconceptions of life and other people had been kept in check, and the main character not so obviously glorified.

[Sarah Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marnie Odell is not the kind of heroine who dominates a room, but she becomes central in a way that feels earned and brave. Sixty‑three, divorced, estranged from her daughter, she’s carving out a simple life in a granny flat, working part‑time, learning to live inside her own few possessions.

But when her only child, Marnie’s daughter - ‘Lenny’ - now a struggling mother in her own right, arrives on her doorstep seeking help, Marnie’s quiet existence is upended. Le Nay does such a wonderful job of delving into the complexity of the unconditional love of a mother, and the dynamic that plays out between Marnie, her daughter, and then her grandchildren, and the things we are willing to do to protect the ones we love.

Lenny is perhaps the hardest character to like, and that is Le Nay’s point: her addiction, her entitlement, her negligence with her children, Frankie and Koa, make her deeply flawed, sometimes unbearable. But Le Nay doesn’t flatten her into a caricature. There are glimpses—of shame, damage, love still there—enough that Marnie’s loyalty, her repeated willingness to try, makes painful sense.

What made this feel like an adventure—even though much of it is internal, moving through emotional terrain—is the journey: literal (from Melbourne into country Victoria), and figurative (through memory, dignity, confrontation, fear, love). Marnie’s resilience: her capacity to face obstacles, to absorb hurt, to keep going when so much is against her—it’s what elevates Edenhope.
I especially appreciated how Le Nay builds tension in the “small” moments: when Marnie wonders whether she has done enough for Lenny, when she scrambles to find shelter for the kids with no plan, when she interacts with caseworkers whose judgement seems heavy and unfair. These moments make the reader acutely aware not just of physical dangers, but of emotional risks—how much Marnie might lose, how much she’s already sacrificed.


5 stars, one of my favourites of the year, and extra brownie points of the eerily familiar environment of Victoria (and brief interactions with the challenged healthcare and government support systems)

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a debut novel that’s quite remarkable!
contemporary timeline sees 63 year old Marnie living a dull, ordinary life, just one of the invisibles that no one gives a second glance. Out of the blue she has to cope with her drug addicted daughter and two young grandchildren coming back into her life. Talk about heartbreak! I couldn't believe the things the daughter put Marnie through! The way she stole and lied, anything necessary to get her next fix or her hands on cash. Her kids came second to her habit and her mother came third. I have no idea what life is like for an addict. I'm betting this is pretty close to the bone and the writing is graphic. All I wanted to do was get Marnie out of it but I know she wouldn't have come with me - a mother's love comes with an unconditional stamp! Edenhope is a BIG heart-wrenching story with an incredible insight into real life. I wish I could remember why I put a hold on it at the library, as it’s definitely not the kind of thing I would normally read. Set in rural Victoria and by an Australian author. Marnie and Lenny are strongly drawn women and I got overwhelmed wanting to know their outcome. This confronted me was brilliantly written and is going to take some beating for Best Read of the Year and it's only January!

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edenhope by Louise Le Nay reminded me of Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar - as it was about a woman whose life was changed (saved, kinda) by a place and the people she met there. It's a delightful book and could be heavy-going - given it deals with drug use, addiction and child neglect - but instead, through our narrator (Marnie) there's a sense of hope, despite everything else. A reminder that there are good people willing to do good things.

I'd definitely recommend this book. Le Nay takes a sympathetic and compassionate approach to parenting, relationships and addiction. She (through Marnie) also takes readers on a journey, reminding us a mother's love is unconditional, but sometimes it's important to let go; or rather remove the rose-coloured glasses and accept that life may not turn out the way we expect.




Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A literary fiction novel, Edenhope (2024) by Louise Le Nay has a whimsical narrative touch on a difficult topic of intergenerational relationships and family hardship. Marnie is a sixty-three-year-old woman, living in a granny flat, enjoying her new job as she builds her life post-divorce. Then her estranged daughter Lenny turns up to visit with her children and boyfriend, as they continue their struggles with addiction. Marnie recognises the danger her grandchildren are in and acts quickly to ensure their well-being, revealing all the barriers she must overcome. Not a crime novel per se, but a tale of the struggles of families and life challenges that lack a sense of the actual grittiness and sad reality of such experiences. So, despite a gentle touch narrative, it's somewhat disappointing in its capture of real-world lives and so, only a three stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[Bazz Sherwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read this was. Grandmother Marnie raises two very young grandchildren; their mother an addicted mess who probably loves but neglects them. The tale is beautifully understated, just as the main characters are just ordinary humble people. The characters, especially Marnie are drawn beautifully and are so real. "Edenhope" is an ode to grandparents who raise their grandchildren, and there are hundreds of thousands of them in Australia. I don't know how they do it. I doubt I could. Highly recommended.

[John Ruddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always a sucker for a good story based around the county towns of western Victoria (Australia) where I grew up. "Edenhope" is an excellent story exploring one woman's endeavors to cope with family failings, bureaucracy and strangers who sometimes become good friends. Believable characters in a well-paced story which had me glued to the seat at the end to see how they fared.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summed Up: A Heartfelt Journey Through Love and Loss

- - -
The team at Text Publishing kindly sent me a pile of books, and you know that moment when a book’s cover just calls to you? That’s exactly what happened when I laid eyes on Edenhope.

I had no expectations and no knowledge of what I was about to dive into but the second I started reading, I knew I was in for something special.

This story was deep and moving and an eye opener to a situation that’s sadly all too real for so many Australian families.

Marnie, the leading lady, is a powerhouse of love and passion which had me crying all the happy and sad tears 🥲

If you’re looking for a book to bring out the emotions and feel all the feels, this heart breaker is for you. Raw, real, and beautifully written, this one’s going to stick with you. 💔✨

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book which dealt with something sadly too many grandparents face of having to take over the care of their grandkids. I also enjoyed reading about areas I had been to (or at least heard of) including the title town of Edenhope (we stopped there for lunch on the way to SA). Despite the heavy topics it flowed well and was easy to read.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d actually give this 2.5 if I could. The story engaged me but frustrated me. Marnie is an idiot. Her daughter is a spoiled, immature waste of space. Marnie made too many decisions that just didn’t make sense to me. Always moving on or feeling resentful when someone showed her kindness or offered some permanence, and never saying no to Lenny.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m quick to judge enablers (I’m quick to judge many people). It was difficult to watch the obviously coming train wreck. But this book was good for me - to get a different perspective, to walk in someone else’s shoes. Well-written too, with authentic dialogue and original descriptions of Victorian countryside.

[Alison Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the depressing topic of the effects of drug addiction on both the addict and all around her this is such a hopeful book . So many of the characters are kind and it makes one have faith in humanity. Also mostly the authority figures, police, medics ,social services are portrayed as doing their best ,and helping. A great debut.

[Ashlee Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly touching and thought provoking exploration of the effects addiction has on families. The story follows a mother who faces the difficult decision of choosing between her daughter who experiences addiction and protecting her grandchildren. I also really loved that the story was set in Australia!

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should say at the start that this is not my usual crime fiction. It is in part a comment on the effects of petty crime on children and families, and about people who decide to do something about it, to make a difference.

Very readable and thought provoking.