by Jessie Kinivan
It has been a year since Esther Wilding’s sister Aura was last seen, walking towards the sea. In an attempt to make sense of her sister’s life, Esther travels from lutruwita, Tasmania to Copenhagen and then the Faroe Islands, following a trail of stories Aura left behind; seven stories of swans and seals, loss, violence and the strength of women, told through cryptic verses Aura had tattooed on her body.
Rich in fairy tales and folklore, the stories of the women in this book will certainly get under your skin. Holly manages to weave magic into her descriptions of nature, with gorgeously lush imagery of the sea, and of the Tasmanian and Faroese landscapes. Esther holds grief, joy and discovery within her at all times and you know you are in safe hands with Holly when it comes to leaning into the fullness of emotion. It is about finding the courage to heal as well as to live with the wounds that stay with us forever.
Fans of The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert or The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams will love this novel about sisterly bonds, fairy tales and forgiveness.
I have the most colourful soundtrack running through my head after reading this and immediately started planning an ‘80s party (you’re all invited!).