Lilian's Story

Kate Grenville's debut novel, complete with a special new introduction by Toni Collette, is now available as a Text Classic. A must-read for fans of one of Australia's most prominent writers.

I was still not permitted to decline those tennis parties. 'You must not close off your options,' Father said, and tweaked at one of the unflattering frills on my dress.

Introduction by Toni Collette

In her much-loved debut novel, Kate Grenville took inspiration from the legendary Sydney eccentric Bea Miles to fashion the fictional life of Lilian Singer- from irrepressible girlhood in a cruel middle-class family, under a monstrous father, to independence and, later, old age as a Shakespeare-quoting bag lady, living on the streets and descending cheerfully into madness. Bold and exuberant, richly imaginative and intimate, Lilian's Story won the 1984 Australian/Vogel Literary Award and was immediately acclaimed as a masterpiece.

About the Author

Kate Grenville is one of Australia's most celebrated writers. Her bestselling novel The Secret River received the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Miles Franklin Literary Award. The Idea of Perfection won the Orange Prize.

Grenville's other novels include Sarah Thornhill, The Lieutenant, Lilian's Story, Dark Places and Joan Makes History. Kate lives in Sydney and her most works are the non-fiction books One Life- My Mother's Story and The Case Against Fragrance.