Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
'Laguna shows all the mastery of language that garnered her a
Miles Franklin Award...
The Choke is full of richly drawn characters; beauty and ugliness sit squatly side by side.'
The Big Issue "I never had words to ask anybody the questions, so I never had the answers..."
Abandoned by her mother and seldom visited by her unpredictable, violent father, 10-year-old Justine is raised by her grandfather, Pop - a man tormented by visions of war. Through years of poverty and neglect, Justine finds solace in the staggering natural beauty of the nearby Murray River. But when outside threats infiltrate even this sanctuary, who is there to protect her from danger?
Exposed to a lethal world, Justine must navigate the final years of her precarious childhood alone. She must find ways to endure, she must run when she has to, and, ultimately, she must fight back.
Sofie Laguna, winner of the 2015 Miles Franklin Literary Award, once again shows she is a writer of rare empathy, originality and blazing talent.Synopsis
'By turns lyrical and brutal' -
The Irish Times "I never had words to ask anybody the questions, so I never had the answers..." Abandoned by her mother and seldom visited by her unpredictable, violent father, 10-year-old Justine is raised by her grandfather, Pop - a man tormented by visions of war. Through years of poverty and neglect, Justine finds solace in the staggering natural beauty of the nearby Murray River. But when outside threats infiltrate even this sanctuary, who is there to protect her from danger?
Exposed to a lethal world, Justine must navigate the final years of her precarious childhood alone. She must find ways to endure, she must run when she has to, and, ultimately, she must fight back.
Sofie Laguna, winner of the 2015 Miles Franklin Literary Award, once again shows she is a writer of rare empathy, originality and blazing talent.
Synopsis
Winner of the 2018 Australian Indie Fiction Award 'Lyrical and brutal' Irish Times
Justine Lee was born breech, entering the world on her knees. She reads words the wrong way round. But she sees things more clearly than the adults around her think.
Raised by her Pop since her parents left, Justine makes dens down by the narrow stretch of the Murray River they call the Choke, dodging the violent games of her half-brothers. Pop means well but has his demons, and Justine is left to eat little but eggs from the chooks, arriving at school with egg-stained clothes.
When Justine hears her dad's coming home at Christmas, she feels a mixture of excitement and dread. He's a dangerous man, and his presence will close in on Justine's young life, like the riverbanks at the Choke. She must find a way to flow onwards, breaking the cycle of violence and poverty through friendship, resilience and her own strength.
Synopsis
'Brilliantly captures the innocence of childhood and the devastating consequences when that innocence is shattered' Claire Fuller 'I was haunted by the voice and landscape of The Choke and have been recommending it all summer' Sarah Moss
Justine Lee was born breech, entering the world on her knees. She reads words the wrong way round. But she sees things more clearly than the adults around her think.
Raised by her Pop since her parents left, Justine helps feed the chooks and makes dens down by the narrow stretch of the Murray River they call the Choke, dodging the violent games of her half-brothers.
When Justine hears her dad's coming home at Christmas, she feels a mixture of excitement and dread. He's a dangerous man, and his presence will close in on Justine's young life, like the riverbanks at the Choke. She must find a way to flow onwards, breaking the cycle of violence and poverty through friendship, resilience and her own strength.
Winner of the 2018 Australian Indie Fiction Award Synopsis
Described as 'raw and powerful' by The Guardian, The Choke is a coming of age story about triumphing over violence and poverty through friendship, resilience and strength.
'By turns lyrical and brutal' Irish Times
Justine Lee was born breech, entering the world on her knees. She reads words the wrong way round. But she sees things more clearly than the adults around her think.
Raised by her Pop since her parents left, Justine helps feed the chooks and makes dens down by the narrow stretch of the Murray River they call the Choke, dodging the violent games of her half-brothers.
When Justine hears her dad's coming home at Christmas, she feels a mixture of excitement and dread. He's a dangerous man, and his presence will close in on Justine's young life like the riverbanks at the Choke. She must find a way to flow onwards, breaking the cycle of violence and poverty through friendship, resilience and her own strength.
Both heart-rending coming-of-age story and poignant tribute to the power of nature, The Choke will delight fans of Where the Crawdads Sing.