The Secrets at Ocean's Edge
Published on 30. January 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-0-7336-3791-9 (ISBN)
Description
Every family has secrets that bind them together. A heart-rending story of a guesthouse keeper and his wife who attempt to start over, from devastatingly talented debut author Kali Napier.
1932. Ernie and Lily Hass, and their daughter, Girlie, have lost almost everything in the Depression; all they have keeping their small family together are their secrets. Abandoning their failing wheat farm and small-town gossip, they make a new start on the west coast of Australia where they begin to build a summer guesthouse. But forming new alliances with the locals isn't easy.
Into the Hasses' new life wanders Lily's shell-shocked brother, Tommy, after three harrowing years on the road following his incarceration. Tommy is seeking answers that will cut to the heart of who Ernie, Lily and Girlie really are.
Inspired by the author's own family history, The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is a haunting, memorable and moving tale of one family's search for belonging. Kali Napier breathes a fever-pitch intensity into the story of these emotionally fragile characters as their secrets are revealed with tragic consequences. If you loved The Light Between Oceans and The Woolgrower's Companion you will love this story.
'One of the best books I've read this year. I absolutely loved it. Totally gripping, beautifully written, the characterisation is superb. An absolutely stunning book. I am still thinking about it.' MELISSA ASHLEY, author of The Birdman's Wife
'This beautifully written, intense tale of a family's heart-rending search for belonging is Kali Napier's debut novel, but there's a sophistication to her storytelling. The secrets of the title unfurl slowly with hints dripping through every page.' Australian Woman's Weekly
'Napier has blended fact and fiction to great effect, writing with a raw emotional power that at times, is devastating.' Better Reading
'Kali Napier may be a debut author but she is certainly no novice. The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is an incredible novel, a story layered with all of the hallmarks that make for an Australian classic.' THERESA SMITH
'If you enjoyed similar recent Australian novels such as Joy Rhoades' The Woolgrower's Companion, Lucy Treloar's Salt Creek, Lisa Bigelow's We That Are Left, and Rosalie Ham's The Dressmaker, then this is definitely for you.' Historical Novel Society
1932. Ernie and Lily Hass, and their daughter, Girlie, have lost almost everything in the Depression; all they have keeping their small family together are their secrets. Abandoning their failing wheat farm and small-town gossip, they make a new start on the west coast of Australia where they begin to build a summer guesthouse. But forming new alliances with the locals isn't easy.
Into the Hasses' new life wanders Lily's shell-shocked brother, Tommy, after three harrowing years on the road following his incarceration. Tommy is seeking answers that will cut to the heart of who Ernie, Lily and Girlie really are.
Inspired by the author's own family history, The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is a haunting, memorable and moving tale of one family's search for belonging. Kali Napier breathes a fever-pitch intensity into the story of these emotionally fragile characters as their secrets are revealed with tragic consequences. If you loved The Light Between Oceans and The Woolgrower's Companion you will love this story.
'One of the best books I've read this year. I absolutely loved it. Totally gripping, beautifully written, the characterisation is superb. An absolutely stunning book. I am still thinking about it.' MELISSA ASHLEY, author of The Birdman's Wife
'This beautifully written, intense tale of a family's heart-rending search for belonging is Kali Napier's debut novel, but there's a sophistication to her storytelling. The secrets of the title unfurl slowly with hints dripping through every page.' Australian Woman's Weekly
'Napier has blended fact and fiction to great effect, writing with a raw emotional power that at times, is devastating.' Better Reading
'Kali Napier may be a debut author but she is certainly no novice. The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is an incredible novel, a story layered with all of the hallmarks that make for an Australian classic.' THERESA SMITH
'If you enjoyed similar recent Australian novels such as Joy Rhoades' The Woolgrower's Companion, Lucy Treloar's Salt Creek, Lisa Bigelow's We That Are Left, and Rosalie Ham's The Dressmaker, then this is definitely for you.' Historical Novel Society
Reviews / Votes
One of the best books I've read this year. I absolutely loved it. Totally gripping, beautifully written, the characterisation is superb. An absolutely stunning book. I am still thinking about it. * Melissa Ashley, author of THE BIRDMAN'S WIFE * An engaging mystery while also being an absorbing tale of family secrets, lies, betrayal and sacrifice. The story brims with authenticity that comes from painstaking research. The gradual release of information about the family combines to create a level of suspense that is sustained and that kept me guessing until the very end. I found it difficult to put down. The author knows how to keep a secret, how to pass on a secret and how - and when - to divulge a secret. * CASS MORIARTY, author * A story layered with all the hallmarks that make for an Australian classic. I loved this incredible novel. I enjoyed every beautifully evocative sentence . . . I didn't want it to end. * THERESA SMITH, Australian Women Writers Challenge * In this very accomplished debut novel, Kali Napier has perfectly captured the jealousy, gossip and claustrophobia of a small community in 1930s . Racial segregation and discrimination was also rife and dealt with sensitivity and empathy in the novel. Recommended for all readers who enjoy a well researched and engaging historical novel. * Book Mooch (blog) * As a debut novel I was really impressed. It is a sad story of prejudice, narrow mindedness, family complications and human vulnerability with facing truths. Highly recommended read. * Goodreads * Napier has delved into her own family history for inspiration for The Secrets at Ocean's Edge which creates some interesting historical links. -- Tara George * The Big Book Club * As with other novels that are inspired by their authors' ancestry, here you will find that special extra quality of storytelling that is only found in truth. -- Marina Maxwell * Historical Novel Society * Inspired by the author's own family history, The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is a haunting, memorable and moving tale of one family's search for belonging. If you loved The Light Between Oceans and The Woolgrower's Companion you will love this story. * Queensland Times * it is the heart-rending story of a guest housekeeper and his wife who attempt to rebuild their lives on Australia's West Coast. Keep the tissues handy for this one. * Daily Liberal * This is a compelling story one that had me turning the pages * Historical Romance Reviews (blog) * The Secrets at Ocean's Edge is a powerful story. Napier has a firm hold on her plotand characters, investigating the world of Dongarra. They're all well-drawn, but Lily is mesmerising. * SA Weekend * Napier builds the tension with a deft hand and this is probably my favourite thing about the book. * readwritewish * Inspired by the author's own family history, this is a haunting, memorable and moving tale of one family's search for belonging. Fans of The Light Between Oceans and The Woolgrower's Companion will love this book. * Law Society Journal * This book is gripping from the first words to the end. -- Pat Pledger * ReadPlus * One of the best books I've read this year. I absolutely loved it. Totally gripping, beautifully written, the characterisation is superb. An absolutely stunning book. I am still thinking about it. * Melissa Ashley, author of THE BIRDMAN'S WIFE * An engaging mystery while also being an absorbing tale of family secrets, lies, betrayal and sacrifice. The story brims with authenticity that comes from painstaking research. The gradual release of information about the family combines to create a level of suspense that is sustained and that kept me guessing until the very end. I found it difficult to put down. The author knows how to keep a secret, how to pass on a secret and how - and when - to divulge a secret. * CASS MORIARTY, author * A story layered with all the hallmarks that make for an Australian classic. I loved this incredible novel. I enjoyed every beautifully evocative sentence . . . I didn't want it to end. * THERESA SMITH, Australian Women Writers Challenge * This novel takes us back to the days when women worked harder and maybe needed each other more in more ways than one. * Book Lover's Book Reviews * The book covers many themes, including the devastating aftermath of war, the importance of family, and racism in early twentieth century Australia. The characters are flawed but likeable, and beg the question: How much can people really change? * Goodreads * This debut novel will garner high praise and no doubt be a contender for a few literary awards. A real beauty for lovers of historical Australian fiction * Read Round Oz Blog * Although this is Napier's first novel, she comes across as a much more experienced writer with her lovely prose, authenticity and a plot that has you reading to the final pages to uncover all the secrets. It is evident that Napier has undertaken a vast amount of research into her novel incorporating various themes, plots and descriptions pertinent to that era. * The Big Book Club (blog) *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Sydney
Australia
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-7336-3791-9 (9780733637919)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Kali Napier
Secrets at Ocean's Edge
E-Book
01/2018
1st Edition
Hachette Australia
€6.49
Available for download
Person
KALI NAPIER worked in Bangladesh as an anthropologist on gender programs before working as an Aboriginal family history researcher for the Queensland government and as a Native Title anthropologist in the mid-west of Western Australia, the setting for THE SECRETS AT OCEAN'S EDGE. The novel was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award as was her first manuscript - also a finalist in the Hachette Australia Manuscript Development Program. Kali is currently an MPhil candidate in creative writing at the University of Queensland. She now lives in Queensland with her two children.