Description
'A strange and joyous marvel' Richard Flanagan
'Delightful... Enchanting' Guardian
'Spectacular' Culturefly
A young man named Levi McAllister decides to build a coffin for his sister, Charlotte - who promptly runs for her life. A water rat swims upriver in quest of the cloud god. A fisherman named Karl hunts for tuna in partnership with a seal. And a father takes form from fire.
The answers to these riddles are to be found in this tale of grief and love and the bonds of family, tracing a journey across the southern island that takes us full circle.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE READINGS PRIZE FOR NEW AUSTRALIAN FICTION
About the Author
Robbie Arnott was born in Launceston in 1989. His writing has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. He won the 2015 Tasmanian Young Writers' Fellowship and the 2014 Scribe Non-fiction Prize for Young Writers. He lives in Hobart.
Reviews
Flames feels solid, significant and emotionally resonant. * Guardian *
A strange and joyous marvel. * Richard Flanagan, Man Booker-winning author of The Narrow Road to the Deep North *
Flames is a spectacular novel; exciting and spirited, overflowing with imagination. Arnott invites us in to a thrilling new world where everything may look familiar, but there are magical surprises to be discovered around every corner. Join him on the journey, and you will not be disappointed. * Culturefly *
Visionary, vivid, full of audacious transformations: there's a marvellous energy to this writing that returns the world to us aflame. A brilliant and wholly original debut. * Gail Jones *
Ambitious storytelling from a stunning new Australian voice. Flames is constantly surprising-I never knew where the story would take me next. This book has a lovely sense of wonder for the world. It's brimming with heart and compassion. * Rohan Wilson *
Robbie Arnott is a vivid and bold new voice in Australian fiction * Danielle Wood *
[With a] magic realist flair that will appeal to fans of Angela Carter... It is glorious, messy, and a bit weird. * Press Association *
Rich. * Strong Words *
Probably the best book I've read all year. * Molly Aitken *
Awards
Short-listed for Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2018 and Not the Booker Prize 2019 2019. Long-listed for The Miles Franklin Award 2019 (UK) and Dublin Literary Award 2020 (UK).
Book Information
ISBN 9781786496294
Author Robbie Arnott
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Atlantic Books
Publisher Atlantic Books
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 17mm