'A writer of extraordinary talent' - "New York Times". Albion Gidley Singer appears an entirely proper man: husband, father, pillar of the community. But he is a hollow man, and within him are frightened and frighteningly dark places from which spring loathing and fear of female flesh. And the kind of violence that might call itself love. "Dark Places" tells the story of this man - two parts monster to one part buffoon - and of his growing obsession. As the horror mounts, we gain a terrifying glimpse of the male ego's dark side, and of the destruction it can wreak upon itself and others. Yet at the same time Kate Grenville keeps alive the reader's sympathy for this doomed figure. This is a novel that fearlessly confronts the aspects of ourselves from which we normally recoil. 'An eloquent, angry and humane novel...A very fine, albeit terrifying, writer' - "Irish Times". 'Remarkable' - "Guardian".
Kate Grenville (kategrenville.com) was born in Sydney, Australia. She's published eight books of fiction, including the multiple prize-winners 'The Secret River', 'The Lieutenant', 'The Idea of Perfection', and 'Lilian's Story'. She's also published three books about the writing process that are classic texts for Creative Writing classes, and a memoir about the research and writing of 'The Secret River'.
Grenville writes about Australia, but her themes are universal: love, violence, and survival. Her characters are often inspired by real historical characters: her own nineteenth century convict ancestor, an early Australian settler; a bag-lady on the streets of 1950s Sydney who quotes Shakespeare for a living; a soldier in the Sydney of 1788 who shares an extraordinary friendship of tenderness and respect with a young Aboriginal girl.
Grenville's international prizes include the Orange Award, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and a shortlisting for the Man Booker Prize. Her books have been published all over the world and translated into many languages, and two have been made into feature films.
Learn more about Kate Grenville, her books, and how to get hold of them, at kategrenville.com.
