|
With visceral prose and a tense narrative arc that unfolds over just three days, speeding towards a dramatic conclusion .... Sheerwater is a propulsive read with an acute emotional core ... likely to hold appeal for readers of both literary and crime fiction, and fans of writers such as Emily Maguire, Emma Viskic and Sofie Laguna. Bookseller+Publisher
Sheerwater is that rare gift of a book that balances gorgeous, glittering language with breathless pace. Leah Swann writes with devastating honesty ... This is an extraordinary novel - I tore through it, captivated by the imagery and the setting, desperately hoping for a happy ending. Rebecca Starford Leah Swann’s impressive debut novel Sheerwater packs an emotional punch both gut-wrenching, dark, and achingly beautiful. The power of this family story takes hold... from its thriller-like opening chapter and does not let go until its nail-biting and shocking conclusion. Booktopia Davitt Award for Best Debut Novel 2021 |
Leah Swann is an award-winning fiction author, journalist and speechwriter. Her bestselling debut novel Sheerwater was published by Harper Collins in 2020 and won the Davitt Award for Best Debut Novel in 2021.
Her critically acclaimed collection of stories, Bearings, was published by Affirm Press in 2011 and praised by author Amanda Lohrey as ‘masterly.’ She's also the author of middle-grade fantasy series Irina: The Trilogy.
Her critically acclaimed collection of stories, Bearings, was published by Affirm Press in 2011 and praised by author Amanda Lohrey as ‘masterly.’ She's also the author of middle-grade fantasy series Irina: The Trilogy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swann was the inaugural first place winner of the Overland Story Wine prize for her story That Inward Eye. Her literary fiction and essays have been published in Meanjin, The Best Australian Stories, The World To Come, Australian Love Stories, Award Winning Australian Writing, page seventeen, Review of Australian Fiction, Australian Country Style, Reflecting on Melbourne, The Herald, The Daily Liberal and Masthead.
Her much-loved fantasy series for middle grade readers, Irina: The Trilogy, was published by XOUM between 2012 and 2015, with some young readers calling it ‘the best book since Harry Potter," and The Age review saying the first adventure ‘moves from fairytale to epic fantasy, with shades of Shakespearean romance thrown in… a winning combination.”
Swann was the inaugural first place winner of the Overland Story Wine prize for her story That Inward Eye. Her literary fiction and essays have been published in Meanjin, The Best Australian Stories, The World To Come, Australian Love Stories, Award Winning Australian Writing, page seventeen, Review of Australian Fiction, Australian Country Style, Reflecting on Melbourne, The Herald, The Daily Liberal and Masthead.
Her much-loved fantasy series for middle grade readers, Irina: The Trilogy, was published by XOUM between 2012 and 2015, with some young readers calling it ‘the best book since Harry Potter," and The Age review saying the first adventure ‘moves from fairytale to epic fantasy, with shades of Shakespearean romance thrown in… a winning combination.”
|
|
|
|
watch the book trailer: here