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Published Apr 2015
256 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of Past the Shallows comes a remarkable new novel that weaves together the lives of a young girl from Tasmania and a sailor in search of meaning, whose brief encounter leaves a lasting impact on both.
Isla is a lonely girl who moves to Hobart with her mother and brother to try and better their lives. It's not really working until they meet Bo, a crewman on an Antarctic supply ship, the Nella Dan, who shares stories about his adventures with them - his travels, bird watching, home in Denmark, and life on board the ship. Isla is struggling to learn what truly matters and who to trust; and this modern Viking is searching to understand his past and find a place in this world for himself. Though their time together is short, it's enough to change the course of both their lives. And what they give each other might mean they can both eventually find their way home.
Praised for writing that is "vivid and distinct" (Library Journal, starred review) and "exquisite in its simplicity and eloquence" (Kirkus Reviews), Favel Parrett delivers a stunningly beautiful novel about the bond forged between two unlikely and unforgettable strangers.
You can see the full discussion here. This discussion will contain spoilers!
Some of the recent comments posted about When the Night Comes:
Author Q&A
What inspired you to write this story? By the way, I loved it!! I look forward to reading more of your writings... - cookie1135
Did you find parallels between Bo's relationship with his father and Isla's with her mother?
I, too, found the parallel to be one of absence. Bo's father was frequently physically absent, away at sea, and Isla's mother was emotionally unavailable to her children. - deeh
Guilt and death
guilt and death - the loss of the father figure continues on into adulthood and leaves sad memories of words unsaid and things unfinished - GeriB
How did Isla's environment compare to Bo's?
I find this difficult to answer. I had not considered this. Isla was without a home for awhile and Bo had no home, other than the Nella Dan. I get the feeling that Isla did have a better home before the divorce. The author does not tell us what ... - nancyh
If you've read Parret's Past the Shallows, how does it compare? What other books would you compare to When The Night Comes?
This book has absolutely captivated me. At first, I didn't like it at all - it felt too disjointed and short-story-like, too poetic - but it really grew on me. The author's ability to draw one stunning scene after another won me over, and I think ... - kimk
"Starred Review. Readers will be caught up with Isla and Bo's lives as well as the Nella Dan and her world. A powerful work that is sure to stay with readers long after the last page." - Booklist
"Parrett's sometimes melancholy, always heartfelt novel is written in clean, straightforward prose that, in its understated way, successfully captures the moments and moods that constitute her spare but memorable story." – Booklist
"A soulful fictional homage to a beloved Antarctic vessel, from Australian author Parrett (Past the Shallows, 2014)." - Kirkus
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Photo: Harrison Saragossi
Favel Parrett burst onto the Australian literary landscape with the heartbreaking debut Past the Shallows. She was discovered through the 2008 Hachette Australia/Queensland Writers Centre Manuscript Development Program and then in 2009 was a recipient of an Australian Society of Authors mentorship. Favel has had a number of short stories published in various journals including Griffith Review, Island and Wet Ink. Past the Shallows was critically acclaimed around the world and was shortlisted in the prestigious Miles Franklin Award, won the Dobbie Literary Award, and Favel herself won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award. Her second book is When The Night Comes (2015 in USA).
Favel has a passion for travel and loves to surf. She lives in Australia with her partner, David, and her two dogs...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Favel Parrett's Website
Name Pronunciation
Favel Parrett: FAY-VEL Parr-et
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