Apple Never Fall

Apple never Fall” by Liane Moriarty is a gripping novel that delves deep into the dynamics of a family and their secrets. The book is set in Sydney, Australia, and follows the lives of four adult siblings – Stan, Amy, Brooke, and Trent – and their parents, Joy and Stan Sr. The story begins with the disappearance of Joy, a retired figure skater, and how her absence affects the entire family.

Moriarty is a master at creating complex and flawed characters, and “Apple Never Fall” is no exception. Each of the siblings has their own secrets and issues, and the book explores how these secrets affect their relationships with one another and their parents. The author expertly weaves together the past and present, slowly revealing the family’s secrets and how they have impacted their lives.

One of the standout features of the book is the author’s ability to portray the intricacies of family relationships. The interactions between the siblings, their parents, and their significant others are incredibly realistic, and the tensions that arise feel raw and authentic. The novel highlights the idea that even those closest to us can keep secrets, and how those secrets can impact our lives in unexpected ways.

The pacing of the novel is slow but steady, with the tension building gradually as the story unfolds. Moriarty expertly drops hints and red herrings throughout the book, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The writing style is engaging and descriptive, and the characters are well-rounded and relatable.

Overall, “Apple Never Fall” is a well-crafted family drama that explores the complexities of relationships and the secrets that can tear them apart. Moriarty’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, and the characters are well-developed and realistic. The slow and steady pacing may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy a character-driven drama, this book is a must-read.

The 2020 Booker Prize Winner

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

“She was no use at maths homework, and some days you could starve rather than get a hot meal from her, but Shuggie looked at her now and understood this was where she excelled. Everyday with the make-up on and her hair done, she climbed out of her grave and held her head high. When she had disgraced herself with drink, she got up the next day, put on her best coat, and faced the world. When her belly was empty and her weans were hungry, she did her hair and let the world think otherwise.”


A heartbreaking story of addiction, sexuality, and love, Shuggie Bain is an epic portrayal of a working-class family that is rarely seen in fiction. It is a blistering debut by a brilliant novelist who has a powerful and important story to tell.

Douglas Stuart was born and raised in Glasgow. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, he moved to New York City, where he began a career in fashion design. His work has appeared in the New Yorker and on LitHub. Shuggie Bain is his first novel. https://www.douglasdstuart.com

2018 Man Booker Prize winner announced

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Milkman by Anna Burns (Faber & Faber) has been announced as the winner of the 50th Man Booker Prize.

Burns, 56, who was born in Belfast and lives in East Sussex, drew on the experience of Northern Ireland during the Troubles to write Milkman. Her first acclaimed novel, No Bones, was also set in this period. She saw off competition from two British writers, two American writers and one Canadian writer.

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‘None of us has ever read anything like this before. Anna Burns’ utterly distinctive voice challenges conventional thinking and form in surprising and immersive prose. It is a story of brutality, sexual encroachment and resistance threaded with mordant humour. Set in a society divided against itself, Milkmanexplores the insidious forms oppression can take in everyday life.’

– Kwame Anthony Appiah, 2018 Chair of judges

Set in an unnamed city, Milkman focuses on middle sister as she navigates her way through rumour, social pressures and politics in a tight-knit community. Burns shows the dangerous and complex outcome that can happen to a woman coming of age in a city at war.