Boogie Wonderland

by Kate Halfpenny, Unknown Author

When Covid lockdowns hit Melbourne, metropolitan midlife couple Kate and Chris decide to make a sea change and move to a small coastal town to ease financial pressures and live out the beach lifestyle many of us dream of. But they didn't give much thought to just how different it would be. With late night drinking sessions in Melbourne's coolest suburbs replaced by the disconcerting peace of a summer destination largely quiet for the rest of the year, they're suddenly rattling around in their beautiful new home without kids, friends or a real community.

And when a disturbing truth about their marriage becomes unavoidable, it's time to face up to reality and ask what's really important. Should they stay or should they go? And what's next when your whole world seems to come crashing down around you?

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

Paperback

Reviews

[Janee Ruth]

I loved the honesty and wisdom. Foy anyone contemplating the sea change - it hit home!

[Ash]

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Heart and Humour, Stronger Not Broken, Seachange

- - -
Some memoirs make you feel like you’re sitting down for coffee with a friend who tells it like it is. They’re raw, real and inject just enough humour to soften the real life realities. Boogie Wonderland is exactly that.

Affirm Press kindly gifted me a paperback copy and the cover with its fabulous flamingo has been staring me down from my bedside table for months. So to give myself a kick, I decided to dive in via audio. Best decision ever! The narrator Lucy Bell does a stellar job bringing Kate Halfpenny’s story to life, making it feel like I was right there in the room with her.

Kate takes us through her early years briefly before focusing on her later in life sea change with her second husband and how it wasn’t quite the dream they imagined.

What follows is a deeply honest account of struggles with alcoholism, marriage, menopause, internet trolls, the loneliness of isolation and learning to put yourself first. All of these tough topics are balanced with brilliant humour and lines like ‘self destructing in my own quiet and more Pinterest worthy way’ had me giggling and nodding away at the same time.

Even though Kate comes from a different generation to me, so much of her experience hit close to home. Those ‘oh yep, me too sister’ moments make this book feel like a warm, candid chat about life’s curveballs and how to come out stronger on the other side.

This is a powerful, funny, heartfelt memoir that was a great reminder to, as Kate says, aim for a ‘stronger mind, happier heart’

[Samantha Bones]

I have been a fan of Kate Halfpenny’s Sydney Morning Herald column for a while and also listened to her ABC Conversations interview, so was excited to find that she’d written this book. It did not disappoint. We are about the same age and so I found this book very relatable, refreshingly written, frank and funny.
I have to also thank her for helping me make up my Mind on the question: Would it be a good idea for us to sell up in the city and move to a pretty, sleepy coastal town 🤔….?
After reading this book the answer is a big fat NO for me, but I recommend that you read this book and make up your own mind, if that’s something you’re considering. Also just read it for the laughs and poignant midlife insights.

[N. Wiklund]

Deciding to move from Melbourne City to the seaside town of Ocean Grove with her husband, Chris, Kate believes that she is returning to where her heart yearns to be. It will be perfect, right? No overhanging mortgage, fresh local produce, cute second-hand shops, friendly neighbours. It will be exactly that... and it is, until it isn't. Until Kate realises that what she left behind might have been more in line with her style.

I had no idea who the author was, so when I picked it up, I did not realise it was a memoir until I started reading. I do love a good memoir. This one sits right in the middle for me. There were some topics on which the author was very flippant, which made me a little uncomfortable about who she was representing herself to be. On the other hand, I wanted to keep picking it up to keep reading. The writing style was different to what I am used to, so I had to get used to the short, abrupt sentences sprinkled throughout, but it didn't affect my overall reading experience. Memoirs are always hard to rate and usually very enjoyable to read.

[Reader]

I could not put it down. It’s finished and even though I’m basking in Bali’s generous nurture (and sun while it’s minus 4 at home)I have the sadness that only comes with the end of a book that has touched you, talked to you and swirls through your teeny brain at odd moments and probs pretty often will for yonks. I feel like i owe you an autobiography to repay the knowledge and reverence I have of you. The intersections and parallels of our lives are many ( Tassie, Melbs, journalism, menopause, atrophied vaginas etc) and the cultural references are obvs the same and felt like home. Gunna read it again, when I’m done digesting your wisdom, worshipping your openness and cloning the recipe of your clever marriage. Love you more Kate Halfpenny x

[Caroline Barron]

Sometimes the right book comes across your path just when you need it. This is one! Kate Halfpenny is hilarious, candid, gorgeous. I identified with her desire (and execution 0f) a 'seachange' and how it feels to be part of a small beachside community, as well as a large, vibrant city. How wanting both is okay.
Such a great read. Love her use of 'ace' and 'dicky'.

[TL]

I absolutely loved Boogie Wonderland. I worshiped Kate Halfpenny before and now I just think she is a timeless icon. Thank you Kate for making me laugh, cry, snort, yell out in agreement loud enough to scare my teenage daughter into submission (always a plus!) and generally make my day brighter knowing I had pages left to read.

[John Edward]

Enjoyed this a lot, particularly as I've spent a lot of time in OG and inner city Melbourne. Funny, poignant, and relatable, this book will give you a good laugh, and maybe some tears too. Recommend.

[Pauline Burr]

An honest, raw, vulnerable life story full of courage and compassion. Congratulations on writing a book for all those going through and successfully navigated challenges in love, career and life. A truly inspiring guide as to why we should keep going.

[Farrells Bookshop]

Early 50s, moving from Collingwood to Ocean Grove and finding regional life is not as good as thought, and discovers some harsh truths about her husband and his alcoholism. I really liked this book!!

Read by Suzie

[A reader somewhere]

Hilarious, poignant, nostalgic and hopeful. Loved this book and couldn't put it down!

[Lea Williams]

3.5⭐

[Kelli]

fabulous, brave and deeply personal. a perfect reminder not to make assumptions about somebody, we all have our own challenges and demons you may not see.