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The Mother of All Calamities
A relatable, humorous and heartfelt take on contemporary parenting culture, exposing the cracks behind the Instagram gloss.
In Greengully, the perfect suburb with perfect parents, nothing is quite as it seems. Chrissy, the teacher who always has the answers, can't understand why her clueless male colleague just scored the job she deserved. Jenny, the perennial class mum, is desperate to hide her son's escalating behaviour from the other parents. Estelle insists her daughter Harmony is a delight—despite mounting evidence to the contrary. And Viv, the quiet one, carries a secret so dark it could destroy everything she loves.
As friendships strain and facades crack, the Greengully school year exposes the lies we tell ourselves and the masks we wear for others. Sharp-eyed and utterly relatable, it What would happen if we all stopped pretending everything was fine?
'Lisa is a deft and effortless storyteller who casts an unflinching and wonderfully sharp gaze over her characters and their world. A writer to watch.' Lucy Treloar, author of Wolfe Island and Days of Innocence and Wonder
'Moule conjures the atmosphere of the contemporary Australian school environment as a pitch-perfect social microcosm.' Cate Kennedy, author of Like a House on Fire
In Greengully, the perfect suburb with perfect parents, nothing is quite as it seems. Chrissy, the teacher who always has the answers, can't understand why her clueless male colleague just scored the job she deserved. Jenny, the perennial class mum, is desperate to hide her son's escalating behaviour from the other parents. Estelle insists her daughter Harmony is a delight—despite mounting evidence to the contrary. And Viv, the quiet one, carries a secret so dark it could destroy everything she loves.
As friendships strain and facades crack, the Greengully school year exposes the lies we tell ourselves and the masks we wear for others. Sharp-eyed and utterly relatable, it What would happen if we all stopped pretending everything was fine?
'Lisa is a deft and effortless storyteller who casts an unflinching and wonderfully sharp gaze over her characters and their world. A writer to watch.' Lucy Treloar, author of Wolfe Island and Days of Innocence and Wonder
'Moule conjures the atmosphere of the contemporary Australian school environment as a pitch-perfect social microcosm.' Cate Kennedy, author of Like a House on Fire
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
8 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Moule
4 books5 followersLisa’s first novel THE MOTHER OF ALL CALAMITIES will be published next March 2026, with Allen and Unwin. Lisa is an actor and writer.
Lisa grew up in Melbourne and graduated from Melbourne University, before moving to Paris to study theatre at the École Jacques Lecoq. She then moved to London to begin a career as an actor and voice artist, appearing at The London Playhouse, Soho Theatre, and The Belgrade, Coventry, among others. She has voiced commercials, audiobooks, and animations including The Thunderbirds and The Skinner Boys. She has performed in countless plays.
Lisa began writing in 2019 when she commenced the Professional Writing and Editing course at RMIT. Since starting Lisa has published several short stories. In 2023 Lisa won second prize in The Australian Short Story Festival (ASSF), Emerging Writers’ Short Story Prize. She was shortlisted for the Peter Carey Award with Newton’s Cradle and shortlisted for Stringybark Short Story Award for Highly Flammable. In 2022, she won second prize in the Furphy Literary award for The Game (the winner was Cate Kennedy), she was a finalist in Newcastle Short Story Award with The Roundabout. In 2020 she published her first short story Estelle for the anthology Ordinary People .
She currently co-hosts 3CR’s Published or Not.
Lisa grew up in Melbourne and graduated from Melbourne University, before moving to Paris to study theatre at the École Jacques Lecoq. She then moved to London to begin a career as an actor and voice artist, appearing at The London Playhouse, Soho Theatre, and The Belgrade, Coventry, among others. She has voiced commercials, audiobooks, and animations including The Thunderbirds and The Skinner Boys. She has performed in countless plays.
Lisa began writing in 2019 when she commenced the Professional Writing and Editing course at RMIT. Since starting Lisa has published several short stories. In 2023 Lisa won second prize in The Australian Short Story Festival (ASSF), Emerging Writers’ Short Story Prize. She was shortlisted for the Peter Carey Award with Newton’s Cradle and shortlisted for Stringybark Short Story Award for Highly Flammable. In 2022, she won second prize in the Furphy Literary award for The Game (the winner was Cate Kennedy), she was a finalist in Newcastle Short Story Award with The Roundabout. In 2020 she published her first short story Estelle for the anthology Ordinary People .
She currently co-hosts 3CR’s Published or Not.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2026
Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Debut Crew of 2026 thrives with another participant, author Lisa Moule and her brilliant book The Mother Of All Calamities.
Lisa puts her own spin on the subject matter of competitive parents, friendly teachers, bratty kids against the backdrop of school and blows the reader away with her witty, clever and black comedy narrative.
Greengully, a picture perfect suburb with unadulterated residents…… or is it!
Behind every closed door is a secret.
For a select group of women anything goes.
Jenny, Viv and Estelle, these mothers will do whatever it takes for their children.
And for Chrissy, the teacher everyone loves battles her own work evils.
As their friendship fractures and the appearances begin to crack, their real feelings surface and secrets arrive with a powerful force.
An ingenious look into the world of mothers and parents and what they will do for a prominent position and for their children to be popular.
There was so much to enjoy with this read.
The engaging plot, the sneaky characters, the parent antics, the school yard culture, the story is relatable and of course the laugh out loud moments.
Finally can we take a moment to admire the cover and the clever title of the book.
Debut Crew of 2026 thrives with another participant, author Lisa Moule and her brilliant book The Mother Of All Calamities.
Lisa puts her own spin on the subject matter of competitive parents, friendly teachers, bratty kids against the backdrop of school and blows the reader away with her witty, clever and black comedy narrative.
Greengully, a picture perfect suburb with unadulterated residents…… or is it!
Behind every closed door is a secret.
For a select group of women anything goes.
Jenny, Viv and Estelle, these mothers will do whatever it takes for their children.
And for Chrissy, the teacher everyone loves battles her own work evils.
As their friendship fractures and the appearances begin to crack, their real feelings surface and secrets arrive with a powerful force.
An ingenious look into the world of mothers and parents and what they will do for a prominent position and for their children to be popular.
There was so much to enjoy with this read.
The engaging plot, the sneaky characters, the parent antics, the school yard culture, the story is relatable and of course the laugh out loud moments.
Finally can we take a moment to admire the cover and the clever title of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
I am absolutely here for this era of writing honestly and vulnerably about how bloody hard it is to be a mum.
Told across multiple POVs, Lisa Moule digs right into all of the messiness of motherhood in the modern day. It's not enough just to be a mum, you have to be super mum, and this looks different to everyone, so no matter what you do, someone is going to be giving you a bit of side eye.
I had to put this book down a few times, not because I didn't want to keep reading, but because I physically couldn't. I needed to take a break and fortify myself for the next big, embarrassing truth that Moule was going to put into the spotlight. This story isn't necessarily uncovering anything new - women get passed over for career opportunities, women do the lion's share of emotional labour, mothers face pressure to be 'perfect' and their children's behaviour reflects on them - but the way that the narrative refuses to pull back when things get uncomfortable backs the characters into a corner and makes for some explosive moments.
Moule explores the ongoing struggle with sexism facing women today from a variety of angles, and this is one area in which the POVs tend to unite.
There were some moments where the rhetoric felt a little jammed in - few enough that it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book, but there were a couple of instances where this took me out of the narrative.
I applaud Moule for including a character who doesn't want children, and for validating that choice through the narrative. While society has made a decent amount of progress on this front, there is still an underrepresentation of child-free women who are child-free by choice in media. I especially enjoyed how this character LIKES children, just doesn't want any. A perfectly normal way for a woman to feel, yet one that people still struggle to comprehend.
Overall, The Mother of All Calamities is an impressive debut. If you've been looking for a book that doesn't pull its punches, this is one worth looking into! I'll be picking up Moule's next book (and hoping we don't have to wait too long for it!)
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the arc.
I am absolutely here for this era of writing honestly and vulnerably about how bloody hard it is to be a mum.
Told across multiple POVs, Lisa Moule digs right into all of the messiness of motherhood in the modern day. It's not enough just to be a mum, you have to be super mum, and this looks different to everyone, so no matter what you do, someone is going to be giving you a bit of side eye.
I had to put this book down a few times, not because I didn't want to keep reading, but because I physically couldn't. I needed to take a break and fortify myself for the next big, embarrassing truth that Moule was going to put into the spotlight. This story isn't necessarily uncovering anything new - women get passed over for career opportunities, women do the lion's share of emotional labour, mothers face pressure to be 'perfect' and their children's behaviour reflects on them - but the way that the narrative refuses to pull back when things get uncomfortable backs the characters into a corner and makes for some explosive moments.
Moule explores the ongoing struggle with sexism facing women today from a variety of angles, and this is one area in which the POVs tend to unite.
There were some moments where the rhetoric felt a little jammed in - few enough that it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book, but there were a couple of instances where this took me out of the narrative.
I applaud Moule for including a character who doesn't want children, and for validating that choice through the narrative. While society has made a decent amount of progress on this front, there is still an underrepresentation of child-free women who are child-free by choice in media. I especially enjoyed how this character LIKES children, just doesn't want any. A perfectly normal way for a woman to feel, yet one that people still struggle to comprehend.
Overall, The Mother of All Calamities is an impressive debut. If you've been looking for a book that doesn't pull its punches, this is one worth looking into! I'll be picking up Moule's next book (and hoping we don't have to wait too long for it!)
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the arc.
March 11, 2026
When my boys were at primary school I was heavily involved in the school, and I often thought that there was plenty of material there if I ever wanted to write a book. The aggressive pushy parents and the defensive hands-off parents. The teacher that everyone lobbied to get for their kids and the teacher that was inexplicably promoted up the ranks despite not being very good. The children who seemed so much better behaved than my own and the children I secretly itched to reprimand. All of those characters make an appearance in this Australian debut.
It’s set over the course of a year and follows four main characters: three parents and one teacher. All of them have their own problems and/or secrets. The central plot, which gives the book its title, is about a falling out between two Mums which affects all the characters. There are parts that feel improbable, but there are many more parts that feel extremely plausible.
It’s a super entertaining and easy read, nothing memorable or outstanding, but still good fun. My main complaint was that to me, some of the kids seemed much older than 8 years old but maybe I’m wrong? I have a friend who’s a primary school teacher and I know from her that children with behavioural issues are becomingly increasingly common and that is reflected in the book. In any case I really enjoyed being pitched back into that world for a day.
It’s set over the course of a year and follows four main characters: three parents and one teacher. All of them have their own problems and/or secrets. The central plot, which gives the book its title, is about a falling out between two Mums which affects all the characters. There are parts that feel improbable, but there are many more parts that feel extremely plausible.
It’s a super entertaining and easy read, nothing memorable or outstanding, but still good fun. My main complaint was that to me, some of the kids seemed much older than 8 years old but maybe I’m wrong? I have a friend who’s a primary school teacher and I know from her that children with behavioural issues are becomingly increasingly common and that is reflected in the book. In any case I really enjoyed being pitched back into that world for a day.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, what a wonderful read that was. So hard to believe that it is a debut novel. Well done to Lisa on a fantastic, entertaining story.
I love how the novel is broken up over the 4 school terms, with chapters being told from the points of view of 4 main characters. Chrissy is the year 3 teacher, frustrated at having been overlooked for promotion in favour of her male colleague who she had been mentoring. Jenny, mother of Valentino, is like a superwoman, so organised but struggling with Valentino's behavioral issues. Viv, another parent who is haunted by something that happened in her past. And Estelle, mother of Harmony, who is the newcomer to the school and trying to fit in with the other parents, whilst trying to deal with her own problems parenting Harmony.
Lots of sensitive topics covered off here, about the way women are treated not only in the workplace but elsewhere. All handled in a very respectful way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
I love how the novel is broken up over the 4 school terms, with chapters being told from the points of view of 4 main characters. Chrissy is the year 3 teacher, frustrated at having been overlooked for promotion in favour of her male colleague who she had been mentoring. Jenny, mother of Valentino, is like a superwoman, so organised but struggling with Valentino's behavioral issues. Viv, another parent who is haunted by something that happened in her past. And Estelle, mother of Harmony, who is the newcomer to the school and trying to fit in with the other parents, whilst trying to deal with her own problems parenting Harmony.
Lots of sensitive topics covered off here, about the way women are treated not only in the workplace but elsewhere. All handled in a very respectful way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2026
One of my favourite sub genres is a group of fab women dealing with tough things and this book delivers it in spades. It’s truly so perfect! I loved or hated each character through different points in the book but will happily shout it from the rooftops that Viv is my number one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Greengully is a typical suburb in Australia, full of families with kids and the Christmas holidays are over and everyone is getting ready and psyched up for the start of the school year.
The story is told via the perspectives of Chrissy a grade three teacher, mothers Jenny, Viv and newbie Estelle.
Chrissy is annoyed when she’s overlooked for a promotion, it’s given to a male teacher she has been mentoring and showed the ropes. Jenny is a stay at home mum and a super organized one, she enjoys being on the parents association and fundraising committee. Viv misses working, has a secret and if it’s discovered her world will collapse around her. Estelle is alternate, a free thinker and rejects religious beliefs.
All education facilities have a hierarchy and pecking order, it starts before you get inside and at the front gate, and flows into the class rooms, playground, front office, staff room, and to pick up.
Two of the characters Jenny (Val) and Estelle (Harmony) have children with behavioural issues, this effects their friendship and others become involved, people take sides and social media adds fuel to the fire.
I received a copy of The Mother of All Calamities by Lisa Moule from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This contemporary debut is brilliant, about primary school, personalities and egos, different ideas and expectations, everyone starts off all bright eyed and bushy tailed, as the weeks tick over and tiredness kicks in, kids argue, fall out and so do the mothers.
A relatable novel, sums up being a parent perfectly, it will make you laugh out loud, cry and feel sad, and in my case reminisce and be very grateful that I got to be a “school mum” and I’m so glad it’s over and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.
The characters make this story unputdownable, it has the right amount of drama and I highly recommend, well done Lisa Moule, five gold stars from me and I'm going to enjoy my freedom.
The story is told via the perspectives of Chrissy a grade three teacher, mothers Jenny, Viv and newbie Estelle.
Chrissy is annoyed when she’s overlooked for a promotion, it’s given to a male teacher she has been mentoring and showed the ropes. Jenny is a stay at home mum and a super organized one, she enjoys being on the parents association and fundraising committee. Viv misses working, has a secret and if it’s discovered her world will collapse around her. Estelle is alternate, a free thinker and rejects religious beliefs.
All education facilities have a hierarchy and pecking order, it starts before you get inside and at the front gate, and flows into the class rooms, playground, front office, staff room, and to pick up.
Two of the characters Jenny (Val) and Estelle (Harmony) have children with behavioural issues, this effects their friendship and others become involved, people take sides and social media adds fuel to the fire.
I received a copy of The Mother of All Calamities by Lisa Moule from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This contemporary debut is brilliant, about primary school, personalities and egos, different ideas and expectations, everyone starts off all bright eyed and bushy tailed, as the weeks tick over and tiredness kicks in, kids argue, fall out and so do the mothers.
A relatable novel, sums up being a parent perfectly, it will make you laugh out loud, cry and feel sad, and in my case reminisce and be very grateful that I got to be a “school mum” and I’m so glad it’s over and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.
The characters make this story unputdownable, it has the right amount of drama and I highly recommend, well done Lisa Moule, five gold stars from me and I'm going to enjoy my freedom.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews