Butterfly

London: Hamish Hamilton, 2009. Australian Author. Used. Here is Plum Coyle, on the threshold of adolescence, striving to be new. Her fourteenth birthday is approaching- her old life and her old body will fall away, and she will become graceful, powerful, at ease. The strength in the objects she stores in a briefcase under her bed - a crystal lamb, a yoyo, an antique watch, a penny - will make sure of it. Over the next couple of weeks, Plum's life will change. Her beautiful neighbour Maureen will begin to show her how she might fly. The older brothers she adores - the charismatic Justin, the enigmatic Cydar - will court catastrophe in worlds that she barely knows exist. And her friends - her worst enemies - will tease and test, smelling weakness. They will try to lead her on and take her down. Who ever forgets what happens when you're fourteen? 'Butterfly is a dreamy, lyrical, sad novel. It's exquisitely written - you end up re-reading sentence after sentence - and unforgettable.' Nick Hornby 'Butterflyis a gripping, disquieting, beautifully observed novel that confirms Hartnett as one of Australia's finest writers. . . Will make adult female readers shiver with gladness at being all grown up.' Big Issue 'An extraordinary writer. . . A heart-stopping representation of adolescent girlhood, as strange and riddling and true as Fiction gets. . . Combine s a Garner-like level of observational authenticity with a sweeping dramatic brilliance. . . Dazzling.' The Age 'Lucid and beautiful, compassionate yet unflinching, enigmatic yet touching, sometimes tragic sometimes funny, this is a memorable novel by a writer at the height of her powers.' Weekend Australian 'Full of insight and wit.' The Guardian