US release!

Body Friend will be published in North America and Canada on July 16, 2024! Order the US edition here.

London launch!

Body Friend was released in the UK in January 2024, with a launch at Burley Fisher Bookshop and visits to some wonderful local bookshops including Pages of Hackney, Review Bookshop, Stoke Newington Bookshop, Blackwell’s Oxford and Daunt Books Oxford.

Melbourne launch

A wonderful night celebrating the Australian release of Body Friend in Melbourne! August 31, 2023. Photo credits: Marcin Wojcik.

NEWS & EVENTS

PRESS for BODY FRIEND

  • US deal news! Body Friend will be published in 2024 by Bloomsbury US.

  • Review in Books & Publishing: ‘The plot unfolds artfully and with precision to surprise and exceed readers’ expectations. Recommended for discerning readers of nuanced fiction such as Erin Hortle’s The Octopus and I, Madelaine Lucas’s Thirst for Salt and Meg Mason’s Sorrow and Bliss.’

PRESS for THE SHUT INS

  • The Paperback Bookshop Salon Series, Q&A video with Anna MacDonald.

  • ABC Arts feature interview, for The Book Show.

  • Radio interview, ABC’s The Book Show.

  • Radio feature, ‘Postcard to Japan’, ABC Radio Melbourne.

  • Review by Vanessa Francesca in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Brabon has Murakami’s verve and craftsmanship. Her love of Japan shines through: myths, metaphors, its social life, and the vividness of its human faces make this a particularly rewarding piece of fiction.’

  • Review by Ann Skea in Newtown Review of Books: ‘Brabon’s book is timely and thought-provoking but also fascinating and vividly original and creative.’

  • Interview, Behind the Pen, Theresa Smith Writes.

  • Review by Richard Cotter for Sydney Arts Guide.

  • The Shut Ins selected for ABC Online’s ‘Best Books to Read in July’, with a review by Sarah L’Estrange.

  • Review by Emily Riches for Aniko Press: ‘Brabon does not sensationalise the hikikomori. What she does exceptionally well is to reveal the everyday details and routines of Hikaru’s life, as well as the impact of his isolation on his family, particularly his mother.'

  • Review in Books & Publishing Review by Chloë Cooper: “Brabon has crafted a melancholy yet compelling story about isolation, duty, desire, fear and escape.”

  • Review by becandbooks.com: “This story is both incredibly broad and encompassing, but with a feeling of incredible intimacy.”

  • Review in ArtsHub by Jemimah Brewster: ‘Brabon’s ability to weave a narrative about the spaces in between story advancement is interesting to experience, and takes considerable talent as an author.’


PRESS for THE MEMORY ARTIST

  • The Memory Artist in translation: chapter one featured in a student literary translation competition hosted by Monash University in collaboration with Asymptote journal. See the Asymptote blog to read the winning entry in Italian, by Micol Licciardello.

  • A review of The Memory Artist in The Lifted Brow: read here. 'a haunting memoir-novel...[Brabon] emerges as a deft and formidable new writer.'

  • A review of The Memory Artist in The Sydney Morning Herald: read here. 'profound debut novel...the universality of the book is deeply affecting.'

  • ABC Radio National Books & Arts, Top Shelf interview: listen here.

  • Radio interview with Triple R's 'Multi-Storied': listen here.

  • Radio interview with 3CR's 'Published or Not': listen here.

  • A review of The Memory Artist in The Saturday Paper: 'a thoughtful, tender novel of a people damaged beyond expression.' Read here.

  • Video interview with Monash University: watch here [interview starts 00:57].

  • Article with interview in Star Weekly, Sunbury & Macedon Ranges: read here.

  • Article with interview in Midland Express: read here.

  • An interview with Monash Arts about writing The Memory Artist: read here.

  • Interview with Geraldine Doogue on Radio National Breakfast: listen here.

  • Article with interview in The Sydney Morning Herald: read here.

  • Article with interview in The Australian: read here.

  • A run-down of the Vogel's award party, including speeches by the judges, presenter Tom Keneally, and acceptance speech: read here.