She’s won a Walkley, been a powerful voice in social commentary, and is a superstar feminist fighter whose views on all kinds of issues are always passionate, forthright and well argued. Now Jane Caro has written a classic domestic noir certain to inspire ferocious discussion.

The Mother is inspired by real events and arises out of fury at the lack of action taken to combat the devastating number of women killed by violence in Australia every year. Sadly, many, many, real crimes inform this narrative.

For Roaring Stories first author event of 2022, upstairs at The Royal Oak Balmain, join Caro in conversation with Kate Evans, co-host of ABC Radio National’s The Bookshelf (and Book Club).

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm or earlier for a 7pm start. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by booking a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? One of Balmain’s oldest and best-known pubs, it serves a delicious range of food and beverages.

The Mother will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with book signings from Jane Caro following the discussion.

For those who can’t make it in person, the event will be livestreamed from Roaring Stories Facebook page (accessible on the Home page and from the Live tab), and available to view later as an upload on the Roaring Stories YouTube channel.

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ABOUT THE MOTHER

Recently widowed, Miriam Duffy is a respectable North Shore real estate agent and devoted mother and grandmother. She was thrilled when her younger daughter Ally married her true love, but as time goes by Miriam wonders whether all is well with Ally, as she moves to the country and gradually withdraws, finding excuses every time Miriam offers to visit. Their relationship has always had its ups and downs, and Miriam tries to give her daughter the distance she so clearly wants. But is all as it seems?

When the truth of her daughter’s situation is revealed, Miriam watches in disbelief as Ally and her children find themselves increasingly vulnerable and cut off from the world. As the situation escalates and the law proves incapable of protecting them, Miriam is faced with an unthinkable decision. But she will do anything for the people she loves most in the world. Wouldn’t you?

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ABOUT JANE CARO

Jane Caro AM is a Walkley Award-winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, advertising writer, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator.

Jane appears frequently on Q&A, The Drum and Sunrise. She has created and presented five documentary series for ABC’s Compass, airing in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. She and Catherine Fox present a popular podcast with Podcast One, Austereo ‘Women With Clout’. She writes regular columns in Sunday Life.

She has published twelve books, including Just a Girl, Just a Queen and Just Flesh & Blood, a young adult trilogy about the life of Elizabeth Tudor, and the memoir Plain Speaking Jane. She created and edited Unbreakable which featured stories women writers had never told before and was published just before the Harvey Weinstein revelations. Her most recent non-fiction work is Accidental Feminists, about the fate of women over 50. The Mother is her first novel for adults.

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ABOUT KATE EVANS

Kate Evans presents The Bookshelf on ABC Radio National with Cassie McCullagh. She has worked in publishing, universities, TV and radio, and joined RN in 1997. In that time, she has worked as both a producer and presenter, on historical programs like Hindsight and Rear Vision, ideas programs including Australia Talks, Movie Time and Life Matters, and in recent years has specialised in interviews with authors on Books and Arts, Books Plus and The Bookshelf. She has a PhD in history and regularly hosts live events at writers festivals.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

a) COVID Safety

This is a COVID Safe event. Attendance is conditional on compliance with current and relevant NSW Heath COVID Safe guidelines.

b) Refunds

Please note that tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or postponed due to extenuating circumstances.

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This event is presented by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain and Allen & Unwin

With thanks to our venue partner The Royal Oak Balmain