Once

by Annie Raser-Rowland

Famine takes hold in the wake of a volcanic eruption, reshaping the lives of countless creatures as they seek to survive. A young girl steals an axe and makes her own way in the world. Two children must fend for themselves in the forest. Observing it all is a storyteller who straddles past and present. 

Once weaves a vivid tapestry in which all lifeforms play a role, refashioning a classic folktale to tell a story both modern and timeless. This genre-bending work of eco-fiction grapples with the animalism of our species and presents a compelling tale about the interconnectedness of our world.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerising, visceral

[Maureen Lucivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This medieval tale has no dialogue yet the writing is amazingly evocative. The characters, human and animal are drawn with verbal brilliance. An unusual and fascinating book

[Harriet Sjöqvist]

Om ja nånsin känner mig som en fuck up ska jag tänka på Hans // Team Brida

Fint att läsa hur allt i naturen hänger ihop o går i cykler

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards 2025