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new australian fiction #4
New Australian Fiction 2022: A new collection of short fiction from Kill Your Darlings
Characters hunt for fame and fortune. Children rise from the dead to return to their mothers. The world is on fire.
New Australian Fiction showcases the strength and diversity of Australian short fiction at its best. Now in its fourth year, these stories will move, entertain and enlighten you.
With contributions
KAVITA BEDFORD
WHITNEY CHEN
MAXINE BENEBA CLARKE
WILL COX
JACQUI DAVIES
A E MACLEOD
JASMIN MCGAUGHEY
NINA NEWCOMBE
RAEDEN RICHARDSON
MELANIE SAWARD
BOBUQ SAYED
ELIZABETH TAN
JACK VENING
CHLOE WILSON
Praise for previous
‘These beautiful stories will transport you to other worlds.’ – Mirandi Riwoe
‘A versatile and immersive collection that promises to delight all lovers of fiction.’ – Books+Publishing
New Australian Fiction showcases the strength and diversity of Australian short fiction at its best. Now in its fourth year, these stories will move, entertain and enlighten you.
With contributions
KAVITA BEDFORD
WHITNEY CHEN
MAXINE BENEBA CLARKE
WILL COX
JACQUI DAVIES
A E MACLEOD
JASMIN MCGAUGHEY
NINA NEWCOMBE
RAEDEN RICHARDSON
MELANIE SAWARD
BOBUQ SAYED
ELIZABETH TAN
JACK VENING
CHLOE WILSON
Praise for previous
‘These beautiful stories will transport you to other worlds.’ – Mirandi Riwoe
‘A versatile and immersive collection that promises to delight all lovers of fiction.’ – Books+Publishing
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2022
4 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 3, 2023
This diverse anthology of stories gives us a taste of multicultural Australia in a time of climate change and financial crisis.
The Aboriginal writing is strong. Maxine Beneba Clarke writes in the form of linked poems, telling the tale of a girl from a broken home, torn between a mum with mental health problems and a deadbeat dad, and the temptation of self harm and arson. Jasmine McGaughey's Aboriginal narrator has achieved the educational goals, but becomes the token Black in a big company, and dreams of resigning and paddle-boarding. Melanie Saward examines how Spirit Animals, be they frogs or plovers, make themselves known to you.
The strongest story, to me, was 'The Spirit Realm' by Bobuq Sayed, dealing with an Afghani family in Australia, whose house is haunted by a Djin, acting out through one of the children.
Other stories dealing with the supernatural or fantasy did not stand up so well. Jack Venning's story about a cousin bringing a corpse to a restaurant had more questions than answers. Raeden Richardson's tale of an undead poker machine player painted a sad picture of poverty and addiction. Will Cox's story of the ex-addict who climbs inside his girlfriend's wall was also creepy. Elizabeth Tan's tale of child ghosts and abortion was the best of the fantasy stories.
Nina Newcombe's 'Land of Smiles' took a look at a second generation Thai Australian's own racism, and gradual acceptance of her mum's difference, as she plans her wedding with Thai Buddhist blessings.
Whitney Chen writes about the weird machinations of Reality TV, who can tell the biggest lie, and how amateurs take on professional acting, no wonder it's unwatchable trash.
AE Macleod continues a tradition I've noticed in previous NAFs, where male writers give us all the details of their emotional disability. In this case, the narrator shows more attachment to a frog than his ex-girlfriend and cat. I don't blame them for leaving. Chloe Wilson also looks at toxic masculinity, set in the hair transplant clinic.
Kavita Bedford looks at the expat academic experience, and the fragility of relationships. Her narrator correctly judged that their partnership would not survive her partner's posting overseas.
Jacqui Davies left us with 'The Yarn Bird', an honest look at bush fires and poverty, and the climate change caused by the greed of the rich, impacting all of us.
A bit of editing could have improved the weaker stories in this collection.
The Aboriginal writing is strong. Maxine Beneba Clarke writes in the form of linked poems, telling the tale of a girl from a broken home, torn between a mum with mental health problems and a deadbeat dad, and the temptation of self harm and arson. Jasmine McGaughey's Aboriginal narrator has achieved the educational goals, but becomes the token Black in a big company, and dreams of resigning and paddle-boarding. Melanie Saward examines how Spirit Animals, be they frogs or plovers, make themselves known to you.
The strongest story, to me, was 'The Spirit Realm' by Bobuq Sayed, dealing with an Afghani family in Australia, whose house is haunted by a Djin, acting out through one of the children.
Other stories dealing with the supernatural or fantasy did not stand up so well. Jack Venning's story about a cousin bringing a corpse to a restaurant had more questions than answers. Raeden Richardson's tale of an undead poker machine player painted a sad picture of poverty and addiction. Will Cox's story of the ex-addict who climbs inside his girlfriend's wall was also creepy. Elizabeth Tan's tale of child ghosts and abortion was the best of the fantasy stories.
Nina Newcombe's 'Land of Smiles' took a look at a second generation Thai Australian's own racism, and gradual acceptance of her mum's difference, as she plans her wedding with Thai Buddhist blessings.
Whitney Chen writes about the weird machinations of Reality TV, who can tell the biggest lie, and how amateurs take on professional acting, no wonder it's unwatchable trash.
AE Macleod continues a tradition I've noticed in previous NAFs, where male writers give us all the details of their emotional disability. In this case, the narrator shows more attachment to a frog than his ex-girlfriend and cat. I don't blame them for leaving. Chloe Wilson also looks at toxic masculinity, set in the hair transplant clinic.
Kavita Bedford looks at the expat academic experience, and the fragility of relationships. Her narrator correctly judged that their partnership would not survive her partner's posting overseas.
Jacqui Davies left us with 'The Yarn Bird', an honest look at bush fires and poverty, and the climate change caused by the greed of the rich, impacting all of us.
A bit of editing could have improved the weaker stories in this collection.
February 20, 2025
A great mix of diverse short stories which managed to draw me in/get me invested despite their length. Highlights include "lifestyle creep" (absurd in a heartfelt way that stuck with me), Bercham Station (women losing parts of themselves when they move to their partners country), "a word from your local" (gambling and RSLs made sentimental in a funky way), "Grace" (aboriginal idea of country continuing to speak was explored in a really cool way) and 'The Spirit Realm' (loosing items randomly sucks).
January 1, 2023
Probably the strongest collection yet in this series, which is saying something! Lifestyle Creep by Chloe Wilson was maybe my favourite but there are so many good ones to enjoy
September 3, 2023
Was surprised by the quality in many of these stories. The last half of stories all had a very similar tone whereas I thought there was a more diverse mix of light and dark at the start. Favourite stories were Lifestyle Creep, Berchem Station and The Land of Smiles. Wasn't a big fan of The Smaller of Two Tomatoes and Grace.
December 4, 2022
I picked this up because a former student of mine, Raeden Richardson, has a (very good) story included, but the whole collection is high quality and I was introduced to a number of writers that I'll be looking out for in the future.
October 5, 2022
Brilliant collection full of humour and heart and showcasing a wide range of Australian voices... Not a dud among them... Bravo Kill Your Darlings!
June 15, 2023
Definitely not as strong as their previous years' editions. The one star is for the only standout in the book: Chloe Wilson.
July 4, 2023
*3.5 stars*
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews