A powerful and controversial tale of a career woman being swamped by motherhood as she copes with her demanding 14-month old girl and newly-born son. All mothers will empathise. Then this domestic tale turns very dark and disturbing as it explores the hidden desires of a fascinating woman, manipulative and cold. It’s a one-sitting read, horribly plausible.
From the warm light of her sleeping baby's nursery, the curve of her husband's arm, the soft embrace of an old friend, the anonymous narrator of THE MOTHER'S TALE whispers to you her intimate fears, her deepest held desires. In the suburbs, a young mother is looking after her two children. She used to be a successful career woman in control of her life and with her husband's undivided attention. But now her control is slipping away. Motherhood is devouring her life. She is desperate to reclaim her sense of self, even if that means thinking the unthinkable. From its softly lit beginning to its explosive, emotional conclusion THE MOTHER'S TALE takes the reader on a journey to the dark recesses of one woman's heart and mind; right to the truths that are never spoken, the thoughts that are not written about. THE MOTHER'S TALE is a taut, beautifully constructed book which, once begun, cannot be put down, told by a narrator who will not be easily forgotten. It engages and confronts, and will provoke discussion for a long time to come.
'At under 200 pages it's perfect for a single sitting on a winter evening, an easy, engrossing slip of a thing that explores the ultimate taboo.' OBSERVER
'Noli creates a tightly controlled thriller. Unease stirs from the opening paragraph... Noli stops just short of melodrama to serve up a tale of distressing plausibility.' GUARDIAN
'A slight discomfort at what might be uncovered turns into a mounting feeling of dread. Yet at the same time it's impossible not to be fascinated by this woman... You'll be compelled to keep reading to discover the truth.' SHE
'An extremely harrowing and uncomfortable read... Noli's writing is sparse but certainly not lacking. An enthralling and yet terrifying read... one that, even as a man, will stay with me for a long time to come.' CRIMESQUAD
'a clever psychological thriller that puts inadmissible thoughts into well-chosen words.' LITERARY REVIEW
Author
About Camilla Noli
Camilla Noli lives in Australia with her husband and children. She is a graduate of the Varuna Writing Program in Sydney's Blue Mountains. The Mother's Tale is her first novel.
