Lovers' Knots

by Marion Halligan

Marion Halligan's most ambitious novel to date, 'Lovers' Knots', won the Age Book of the Year Award 1992. Set in the coastal town of Newcastle, where Halligan grew up and went to university, the novel begins as if it were a family saga covering the century 1911-2011, but its narrative denies the conventional chronology evoked and shatters as if into the fragments caught by photographs.

Genres: Fiction, Australia

377 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marion Halligan AM was an Australian writer and novelist. Born and educated in Newcastle, New South Wales, she worked as a school teacher and journalist prior to turning to full time writing.

A long time resident of Canberra, she was a member of a group of women writers based in Canberra known as the "Canberra Seven" or "Seven Writers" (1980-1997).

She has won and been shortlisted for numerous significant awards, notably for The Point, Lovers' Knots, Spider Cup and The Golden Dress.

In 2006 Halligan was made a Member in the Order of Australia (AM), General Division, for services to literature and for her work in promoting Australian literature.

Reviews

[Maree Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit difficult to get into at first but once I got into the rhythm of the narrative I really enjoyed it. I honestly think Marion Halligan is one of the most underrated writers in Australia. A really satisfying read.

[Oanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Properly epic, but not linear (which is a positive in my view), interestingly arch about writing an involved epic family story. Thoroughly enjoyed. Should not have read it over such an extended period of time as I did because I had to keep flipping back and reminding myself who was who...

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gloriously 'matted tangle' of a book, a self-titled hundred-year novel capturing the lives of successive generations of a family and the shifting fortunes of the places in which they live. Beautifully written, absorbing to read and with much for an attentive reader to relish and reflect on.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have loved previous Marion Halligan books that I've read but this one....meh....I just could not get into it. Maybe if I had persevered but, honestly, I have too many other books on my shelves that require my attention to continue wading through this one.

[Ruby Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looooved

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a beautiful book. I'll admit that there were times when I found the familial relationships very difficult to keep track of, but the imagery and the character development is just wonderful.

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some excellent writing in this, especially in the beginning. I started to become lost in the various characters; why does the time frame need to jump around so? By two thirds through I wanted to be done with it.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The exploration of history in this book was interesting, and I really enjoy Halligan's writing. It is a solid book and greatly enjoyable.

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5)