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The Bearcat
An intimate psychological portrait inspired by the true story of a notorious cult leader.
bearcat: a large, tree-dwelling mammal; 1920s slang for a fiery girl or woman.
1987. Family is everything to Anne. Our Messiah. And Anne demands everything from The Family; their loyalty, their money, even their children. In return, she promises existential comfort to lost and weary women. Because Anne knows how hard it is to build a family - and how easy it is to lose one.
1921. A child is born on a sticky summer evening. Our Anne. Her mother, Florence, is trapped at home with an indifferent husband and a relentlessly demanding newborn, struggling to reconcile motherhood and her shifting sense of self.
For both women, the past is for escaping, and love is impossible to trust. All they can hope is that their family will save them.
The Bearcat is a dark and nuanced exploration of longing, power and the inviolable grip of history.
bearcat: a large, tree-dwelling mammal; 1920s slang for a fiery girl or woman.
1987. Family is everything to Anne. Our Messiah. And Anne demands everything from The Family; their loyalty, their money, even their children. In return, she promises existential comfort to lost and weary women. Because Anne knows how hard it is to build a family - and how easy it is to lose one.
1921. A child is born on a sticky summer evening. Our Anne. Her mother, Florence, is trapped at home with an indifferent husband and a relentlessly demanding newborn, struggling to reconcile motherhood and her shifting sense of self.
For both women, the past is for escaping, and love is impossible to trust. All they can hope is that their family will save them.
The Bearcat is a dark and nuanced exploration of longing, power and the inviolable grip of history.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2025
5 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Rose Phillips
3 books6 followersGeorgia Rose Phillips is a PhD Candidate and a sessional academic in the Creative Writing program at the University of New South Wales. Her debut novel, The Bearcat, is forthcoming with Picador in 2024, and she is at work on her second novel. In 2018, her creative non-fiction novella, Holocene, was runner-up for the Scribe Nonfiction Literary Prize. In 2021, her short story ‘New Balance’ was a fiction winner in the Ultimo Literary Prize. In 2022, her short story ‘Beyond the Marram Grass’ was a shortlisted finalist in the American Association of Australasian Literary Studies Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 10, 2025
‘bearcat: a large, tree-dwelling mammal; 1920s slang for a fiery girl or woman.’
Georgia Rose Phillips debut novel The Bearcat is a finely wrought exploration of womanhood, power, and the legacies of maternal influence. Rooted in the true story of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the magnetic and deeply disturbing leader of the Australian cult known as The Family. Phillips gives us an account that is eerie, elegant, and psychologically unflinching.
The novel spans two timelines: the 1920s, through the perspective of Florence, Anne’s mother, who wrestles with domestic instability and the quiet violence of everyday life; and the 1980s, as Anne, now a cult leader, enacts her own form of control and creation, seeking transcendence through spiritual manipulation. Phillips does not attempt to excuse Anne’s actions, but she does allow us to see the child inside the infamous woman, a girl shaped by neglect, yearning, and a desperate need to believe in her own myth.
What stands out most is Phillips prose, lyrical, and often brutal. The writing is psychologically sharp, peeling back the layers of both women with a slow, surgical precision. Florence’s chapters are especially affecting, her world is one of stifled potential and claustrophobic motherhood, rendered in a way that feels timeless and tragic.
The Bearcat reads more like a gothic meditation on identity, longing, and spiritual hunger. There are no easy answers, just deep, sometimes disquieting empathy and an acute understanding of how the wounds of one generation are passed on to the next.
This is not a thriller, and readers looking for fast paced cult drama might find the pacing slow. But for those drawn to character driven literary fiction with psychological depth and a strong sense of place, The Bearcat is a gripping, beautifully unsettling debut.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for my early readers copy.
Available now!
Georgia Rose Phillips debut novel The Bearcat is a finely wrought exploration of womanhood, power, and the legacies of maternal influence. Rooted in the true story of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the magnetic and deeply disturbing leader of the Australian cult known as The Family. Phillips gives us an account that is eerie, elegant, and psychologically unflinching.
The novel spans two timelines: the 1920s, through the perspective of Florence, Anne’s mother, who wrestles with domestic instability and the quiet violence of everyday life; and the 1980s, as Anne, now a cult leader, enacts her own form of control and creation, seeking transcendence through spiritual manipulation. Phillips does not attempt to excuse Anne’s actions, but she does allow us to see the child inside the infamous woman, a girl shaped by neglect, yearning, and a desperate need to believe in her own myth.
What stands out most is Phillips prose, lyrical, and often brutal. The writing is psychologically sharp, peeling back the layers of both women with a slow, surgical precision. Florence’s chapters are especially affecting, her world is one of stifled potential and claustrophobic motherhood, rendered in a way that feels timeless and tragic.
The Bearcat reads more like a gothic meditation on identity, longing, and spiritual hunger. There are no easy answers, just deep, sometimes disquieting empathy and an acute understanding of how the wounds of one generation are passed on to the next.
This is not a thriller, and readers looking for fast paced cult drama might find the pacing slow. But for those drawn to character driven literary fiction with psychological depth and a strong sense of place, The Bearcat is a gripping, beautifully unsettling debut.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for my early readers copy.
Available now!
July 29, 2025
A cleverly written, dark and nuanced exploration into the making of Anne, the notorious cult leader of The Family.
This is inspired by the true story and contains a combination of true events and imaginings of the experiences of Anne and her mother Florence.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was narrated brilliantly by Hannah Fredericksen.
This is inspired by the true story and contains a combination of true events and imaginings of the experiences of Anne and her mother Florence.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was narrated brilliantly by Hannah Fredericksen.
August 28, 2025
I am fascinated by the premise of a cult. How do they draw people in, brainwash them? However The Bearcat wasn't about The Family per se but about the life of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the yoga teacher who became the leader of The Family.
The Bearcat explores the idea of nurture versus nature. Was Anne's actions the result of her upbringing or was she predestined to be the charismatic and manipulative leader of women?
We get a picture of a difficult child brought up by a mother with mental health issues and an indifferent father. Anne wasn't so much neglected, as forgotten.
I did think it strange that there is only a brief mention of Anne's six younger siblings. Having them taken away may have triggered her desire to collect children.
Whilst I found The Bearcat intriguing it didn't really hit the mark. I would recommend it to readers of literary fiction, anyone interested in the psychology of man and those who like to immerse themselves in lyrical prose.
You can read my full review at: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
The Bearcat explores the idea of nurture versus nature. Was Anne's actions the result of her upbringing or was she predestined to be the charismatic and manipulative leader of women?
We get a picture of a difficult child brought up by a mother with mental health issues and an indifferent father. Anne wasn't so much neglected, as forgotten.
I did think it strange that there is only a brief mention of Anne's six younger siblings. Having them taken away may have triggered her desire to collect children.
Whilst I found The Bearcat intriguing it didn't really hit the mark. I would recommend it to readers of literary fiction, anyone interested in the psychology of man and those who like to immerse themselves in lyrical prose.
You can read my full review at: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
July 9, 2025
idk how a book about a cult leader could be so boring 😴
November 27, 2025
An intriguing premise but it falls short on the delivery and characterisation. The book lends itself to many themes leading to reflection and discussion, if only the writing was better, I would've given it a higher rating.
July 29, 2025
The Bearcat is a fictionalised account of the life of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of the cult known as The Family. I have followed the story of this cult for reasons I outlined when I read Chris Johnston and Rosie Jones's
The Family
, so was keen to read The Bearcat... but it was dreadful.
Purple prose, overkill on the analogies, and relentless gothic imagery all combined to make this book very hard work. And it was not helped by the zig-zagging between time periods and points-of-view (the story is told from Anne's perspective, and that of her mother, Florence). Over on Goodreads there are questions around the inclusion of a character named Ida, who is Florence's neighbour. Ida plays a big role but some readers didn't see the point of her - I might have totally misunderstood, but I interpreted Ida as one of Florence's alternate personalities (there's mention of schizophrenia). Regardless, Florence as portrayed was not enough to help me understand Anne Hamilton-Byrne as a person.
If you want the lowdown on The Family, head straight for the documentary.
1.5/5
Purple prose, overkill on the analogies, and relentless gothic imagery all combined to make this book very hard work. And it was not helped by the zig-zagging between time periods and points-of-view (the story is told from Anne's perspective, and that of her mother, Florence). Over on Goodreads there are questions around the inclusion of a character named Ida, who is Florence's neighbour. Ida plays a big role but some readers didn't see the point of her - I might have totally misunderstood, but I interpreted Ida as one of Florence's alternate personalities (there's mention of schizophrenia). Regardless, Florence as portrayed was not enough to help me understand Anne Hamilton-Byrne as a person.
If you want the lowdown on The Family, head straight for the documentary.
1.5/5
October 20, 2025
very interesting perspective, it took me awhile to understand the authors writing style. it’s very immersive, i want to learn more about the cult now👀
June 17, 2025
I’m intrigued by the power of a cult. How cults love bomb potential members so much that they cannot see through the gaslighting, same and fear. They comfort the most vulnerable and blind them from what is true. And they often offer a distinct and unique interpretation of a belief system that mandates devotion. In The Bearcat, there is a glamorous fierceness behind Anne, the leader of the Australian cult known as The Family. Yet this is not a book about the cult. This book is about the making of the woman who built The Family, who was always looking for power to create a family through belonging.
The story moves between 1921, 1941, and then through to the 1980s. And it is written in such a way then it becomes hard to believe what you were reading. It was very unsettling to read some of the events in this book, because they were written from a particular point of view that was already clouded in judgement and suspended with disbelief. It becomes very clear that this recollection of who Anne was, and where she began her life as Enelyn. It is clear that the book is written from how Anne would have described herself and all the trials and tribulations in her life. From through the very early pages, it was very clear that the rose-coloured glasses were tainted. The writing is equally as romantic and poetic; it does very well to lure you into a false sense of disbelief, and then shock with the starkness of an upbringing devoid of emotion. There is no-one else to account for Anne’s behaviour or memories – this is the key to maintaining such a nuanced recollection of the family she created around her and the belief that she was the saviour to their damaged lives.
The damage of the past was never dealt with, , almost as if it was feeding the void, rather than creating a place to grown and move on. Anne’s own experience of being neglected, used and unwanted gave her no insight into how she treated her own family; it became the impetus for her to influence others to follow her and create her own version of what she lost and hungered for. But was she always destined to be like this? Was her childhood the catalyst for the cult?
The story moves between 1921, 1941, and then through to the 1980s. And it is written in such a way then it becomes hard to believe what you were reading. It was very unsettling to read some of the events in this book, because they were written from a particular point of view that was already clouded in judgement and suspended with disbelief. It becomes very clear that this recollection of who Anne was, and where she began her life as Enelyn. It is clear that the book is written from how Anne would have described herself and all the trials and tribulations in her life. From through the very early pages, it was very clear that the rose-coloured glasses were tainted. The writing is equally as romantic and poetic; it does very well to lure you into a false sense of disbelief, and then shock with the starkness of an upbringing devoid of emotion. There is no-one else to account for Anne’s behaviour or memories – this is the key to maintaining such a nuanced recollection of the family she created around her and the belief that she was the saviour to their damaged lives.
The damage of the past was never dealt with, , almost as if it was feeding the void, rather than creating a place to grown and move on. Anne’s own experience of being neglected, used and unwanted gave her no insight into how she treated her own family; it became the impetus for her to influence others to follow her and create her own version of what she lost and hungered for. But was she always destined to be like this? Was her childhood the catalyst for the cult?
September 24, 2025
Thank-you for writing such an accurate rendition about the mostly unknown past of Anne Hamilton-Bryne & her mother Florence Edwards! So much insight regarding who we are & how we emulate those around us. I found the writing style to be perfectly befitting of the grace & finesse that was often the sole motivation for upper-middle-class Australian women between the post-war era to the women's liberation movement.
Prior to reading this book I had a strong background knowledge about the New Age group Anne developed, from site visits, as well as both reading & viewing materials. So I can understand why some readers might find the characters confusing or the prose load of "pretentious hogwash." I strongly suggest that readers consider some background information before beginning "The Bearcat." You don't necessarily require in-depth knowledge regarding "The Family" or the alleged crimes that Anne & Bill were accused of. But perhaps an interpretation of how someone like Anne was perceived by others in her various circles & connections. She was very much ahead of her time & was a role model for repressed women. The author painted the way it can be when someone commands the awe, respect & status of an empress during a staged event, yet behind closed doors is as fragile & insecure as a child.
Also as a daughter, then mother to my own daughter, I loved how the intertwined threads between this unique human relationship can begin to dissolve into a similarly tinted haze as time goes by.
Prior to reading this book I had a strong background knowledge about the New Age group Anne developed, from site visits, as well as both reading & viewing materials. So I can understand why some readers might find the characters confusing or the prose load of "pretentious hogwash." I strongly suggest that readers consider some background information before beginning "The Bearcat." You don't necessarily require in-depth knowledge regarding "The Family" or the alleged crimes that Anne & Bill were accused of. But perhaps an interpretation of how someone like Anne was perceived by others in her various circles & connections. She was very much ahead of her time & was a role model for repressed women. The author painted the way it can be when someone commands the awe, respect & status of an empress during a staged event, yet behind closed doors is as fragile & insecure as a child.
Also as a daughter, then mother to my own daughter, I loved how the intertwined threads between this unique human relationship can begin to dissolve into a similarly tinted haze as time goes by.
June 18, 2025
I was drawn to the subject, having grown up knowing about the case, but not the details - except after the documentary.
This is an interesting take. I appreciate that Rose Phillips doesn't go into the details of what happened to the children that Anne Hamilton Byrne had abused. Some of her writing techniques did lose me a little. As another reviewer states the writing can be a bit florid (ok, is this meant to reflect the personalities, or a gimmick?), the jumping around of time in every chapter is frustrating (SO much jumping), the use of capital letters instead of names in the 'evidence' of those associated was weird- it reminded me of late 19th early 20th century novels that did that - just give them an alias?, the 2 names of Anne was confusing as well.
I feel that the novel could have been shorter to get the same concept across, not sure how Anne's mothers' relationship with the neighbour was necessary, or just a distraction?
I get that this is conjecture, the feelings and actions just seemed a little too much suspension of disbelief.
This is an interesting take. I appreciate that Rose Phillips doesn't go into the details of what happened to the children that Anne Hamilton Byrne had abused. Some of her writing techniques did lose me a little. As another reviewer states the writing can be a bit florid (ok, is this meant to reflect the personalities, or a gimmick?), the jumping around of time in every chapter is frustrating (SO much jumping), the use of capital letters instead of names in the 'evidence' of those associated was weird- it reminded me of late 19th early 20th century novels that did that - just give them an alias?, the 2 names of Anne was confusing as well.
I feel that the novel could have been shorter to get the same concept across, not sure how Anne's mothers' relationship with the neighbour was necessary, or just a distraction?
I get that this is conjecture, the feelings and actions just seemed a little too much suspension of disbelief.
November 26, 2025
This novel jumps back and forth between different times from 1920 to 1987, exploring the lives of cult leader Anne, her mother Florence, and their respective families, childhoods, and the circumstances they have lived through.
Knowing that this was based around a cult, I expected this book to be more about control that leaders exert on others. Instead, I found a book that looked at many of the difficult circumstances in Anne's life, and how these drove her to crave power, family and security.
I found jumping back and forth a little confusing at times, and while I accept that secondary characters often lack nuance, it is a little frustrating to have a picture of the main character, shaped by forces outsider her control, while some of those forces, like her father, were a little too one dimensional.
I did enjoy this book, and I appreciated the insight into the circumstances that could lead someone becoming like this, though I would have loved to have heard more about the cult itself and how it operated.
Knowing that this was based around a cult, I expected this book to be more about control that leaders exert on others. Instead, I found a book that looked at many of the difficult circumstances in Anne's life, and how these drove her to crave power, family and security.
I found jumping back and forth a little confusing at times, and while I accept that secondary characters often lack nuance, it is a little frustrating to have a picture of the main character, shaped by forces outsider her control, while some of those forces, like her father, were a little too one dimensional.
I did enjoy this book, and I appreciated the insight into the circumstances that could lead someone becoming like this, though I would have loved to have heard more about the cult itself and how it operated.
May 27, 2025
Not my usual genre, but I was enticed to read The Bearcat—and I wasn’t disappointed.
A thoroughly mesmerising read, rich with vivid imagery of people, places, and even emotions—if you can picture a feeling, this book captures it.
Thoughtfully structured across multiple timelines, the story is anchored in a seemingly sleepy country town and its unassuming people, all searching for the elusive connection of family—grasping at anything that even resembles it.
It offers a compelling perspective on how our understanding of family can shift and evolve—and gives you pause to appreciate the family you have.
Highly recommended.
Andrew
A thoroughly mesmerising read, rich with vivid imagery of people, places, and even emotions—if you can picture a feeling, this book captures it.
Thoughtfully structured across multiple timelines, the story is anchored in a seemingly sleepy country town and its unassuming people, all searching for the elusive connection of family—grasping at anything that even resembles it.
It offers a compelling perspective on how our understanding of family can shift and evolve—and gives you pause to appreciate the family you have.
Highly recommended.
Andrew
June 18, 2025
3.25/5
Unfortunately, while the premise of this book sounds super interesting - it's based on a real-life cult leader!! - the execution was a bit lacking imo.
The story is told in several POVs and timelines which made for interesting pacing, but I personally enjoyed the ex-cult member testimonials the most, and (unfortunately) they were only in the first quarter of the book. The rest of the book bounces between Anne's POV from childhood to nursing-home-age, and her mum Florence's POV right after giving birth.
My issue is that Anne's childhood and Florence's entire POV convey the same experience (is anyone surprised Anne's dad/Florence's husband sucks) and we get minimal depiction of Anne actually running her cult. Where I was expecting some juicy cult drama, we instead get a sob-fest borderline-abusive home life, which in today's literary landscape is unfortunately nothing new.
I get that the author was trying to portray the origins of Anne and her thinking, but I just felt like 75% of the book was laying the uninteresting groundwork and the rest was watered-down drama. I wish we got more of Anne actually starting and leading her cult, and less of her relationship with her dad which was already implied in Florence's POV.
Unfortunately, while the premise of this book sounds super interesting - it's based on a real-life cult leader!! - the execution was a bit lacking imo.
The story is told in several POVs and timelines which made for interesting pacing, but I personally enjoyed the ex-cult member testimonials the most, and (unfortunately) they were only in the first quarter of the book. The rest of the book bounces between Anne's POV from childhood to nursing-home-age, and her mum Florence's POV right after giving birth.
My issue is that Anne's childhood and Florence's entire POV convey the same experience (is anyone surprised Anne's dad/Florence's husband sucks) and we get minimal depiction of Anne actually running her cult. Where I was expecting some juicy cult drama, we instead get a sob-fest borderline-abusive home life, which in today's literary landscape is unfortunately nothing new.
I get that the author was trying to portray the origins of Anne and her thinking, but I just felt like 75% of the book was laying the uninteresting groundwork and the rest was watered-down drama. I wish we got more of Anne actually starting and leading her cult, and less of her relationship with her dad which was already implied in Florence's POV.
July 16, 2025
i don't usually like dual narratives, but this one makes too much sense for me to be annoyed about it. for how else am i supposed to somehow empathize with the yoga cult leader who thinks she's jesus if i don't know the broken and horrendous family she came from in similar detail. still wish there were more chapters about anne, but we live.
June 2, 2025
I wanted to like this book because the subject is interesting but the writing was so florid, so pretentious that I kept having to almost interpret it to understand what the author was trying to say. It wasn’t clever, it was tedious, a missed opportunity.
August 27, 2025
A story about a cult leader should be fascinating. Boy, was I wrong.
The purple prose is laid on so thick it drowns the plot, and the constant time jumps do nothing but confuse. Different character voices blur together, making it hard to tell who’s speaking, and the ending lands with a dull thud.
Instead of unsettling or gripping, the whole thing is just plain boring- dull and forgettable.
The purple prose is laid on so thick it drowns the plot, and the constant time jumps do nothing but confuse. Different character voices blur together, making it hard to tell who’s speaking, and the ending lands with a dull thud.
Instead of unsettling or gripping, the whole thing is just plain boring- dull and forgettable.
November 27, 2025
Sounds like an incredible book based on the true story. However, probably the worst book I've ever read. The book didn't really have a plot. I felt like I just read a bunch of random activities that took place.
December 19, 2025
I expected this to be more about the inner workings of the cult, but I really enjoyed that it was actually focused on the background of Anne, the cult leader, and her mother. It was very nicely written, it doesn’t tell you everything but gives the reader room to think. I liked it
Want to read
February 20, 2025KEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN
August 5, 2025
Was really keen to read this book because of its subject, but I just couldn't get into the prose and the split time frames
October 11, 2025
Enjoyed this
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews