Josephine Rowe's writing delves into the complexities of human connection and the subtle currents of inner life. Her narratives explore themes of isolation, longing, and the search for self within contemporary landscapes. With a distinctive lyrical style and vivid imagery, Rowe crafts stories that resonate deeply, prompting reflection on the human condition. Her work offers a unique literary voice, appreciated for its emotional depth and sophisticated prose.
Set against the backdrop of the Australian desert, the story unfolds with the mysterious body of a child saint, whose identity and life remain unknown. Spanning from the 1950s to the present, the narrative weaves through the lives of various characters, including a retired engineer and a woman grappling with her past. Each encounter with the saint evokes themes of violence and interconnectedness, creating a haunting exploration of how one life can impact many. This novel showcases the profound storytelling of a celebrated Australian author.
Exploring themes of duality and the impact of past experiences, this essay celebrates the work of Beverley Farmer, an Australian author known for her reflections on restlessness, desire, and homecoming. Josephine Rowe, a fellow writer, highlights Farmer's unique voice and invites readers to appreciate her contributions to literature. Part of the Writers on Writers series, this piece fosters a dialogue between past and present, illuminating the craft of writing and showcasing the significance of Farmer's literary legacy.
“A Loving, Faithful Animal lured me in with astonishing, poetic prose... But the true thrill of the novel is the carousel of haunting characters Josephine Rowe creates with unbelievable precision. An unflinching look at the ways we fail the people we love, at the cruelty of family, its toxicity, and beauty.” —Stephanie Danler, New York Times bestselling author of Sweetbitter It is New Year’s Eve 1990, in a small town in southeast Australia. Ru’s father, Jack, one of thousands of Australians once conscripted to serve in the Vietnam War, has disappeared. This time Ru thinks he might be gone for good. As rumors spread of a huge black cat stalking the landscape beyond their door, the rest of the family is barely holding on. Ru’s sister, Lani, is throwing herself into sex, drugs, and dangerous company. Their mother, Evelyn, is escaping into memories of a more vibrant youth. And meanwhile there is Les, Jack’s inscrutable brother, who seems to move through their lives like a ghost, earning both trust and suspicion. A Loving, Faithful Animal is an incandescent portrait of one family searching for what may yet be redeemable from the ruins of war. Tender, brutal, and heart-stopping in its beauty, this novel marks the arrival in the United States of Josephine Rowe, the winner of the 2016 Elizabeth Jolley Prize and one of Australia’s most extraordinary young writers.
