'They were inescapable, the tensions of the adult world - the fraught and febrile aura that surrounded Ishtar and those in her orbit, that whined and creaked like a wire pulled too tight.' It is the winter of 1985. Hope Farm sticks out of the ragged landscape like a decaying tooth, its weatherboard walls sagging into the undergrowth. Silver's mother, Ishtar, has fallen for the charismatic Miller, and the three of them have moved to the rural hippie commune to make a new start. At Hope, Silver finds unexpected friendship and, at last, a place to call home. But it is also here that, at just thirteen, she is thrust into an unrelenting adult world - and the walls begin to come tumbling down, with deadly consequences. Hope Farmis a devastatingly beautiful story about the broken bonds of childhood, and the enduring cost of holding back the truth.
Peggy Frew Book order
Peggy Frew explores the intricate tapestry of relationships and family secrets with unflinching honesty and a sharp wit. Her prose, often situated within an Australian landscape, is marked by precise observation and a sensitive rendering of the human psyche. Frew masterfully navigates between nostalgia and the present, uncovering universal themes of loss, identity, and the search for belonging. Her distinctive style combines raw reality with poetic urgency, offering readers a deeply resonant experience.


- 2016
- 2011
House of Sticks
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The story explores Bonnie's struggle with her identity as she transitions from a musician to a stay-at-home mom. While she tries to embrace her new life, the isolation and overwhelming responsibilities of caring for three young children begin to strain her relationship with her partner, Pete. As she navigates these challenges, Bonnie grapples with her unfulfilled dreams and the impact on her family dynamics.