'A compelling story of loss and liberty and the capacity of the human mind to transcend boundaries' - Meg Keneally

'Riveting and heart-wrenching' - Mirandi Riwoe

Set in early 20th century Sydney, Eleanor Limprecht's The Coast is a stunning novel of love and courage that centres on the experiences of a young girl sent to a prison for lepers, and the people she encounters in this harsh and isolated place.

Join the bestselling author on Monday 6 June in conversation with Suzanne Leal – author, lawyer, host of Thursday Book Club and co-presenter of the BAD All About Crime podcast. 'Few books have touched me so deeply,' says Leal of the The Coast.

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by booking a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? One of Balmain's oldest and best-known pubs, it serves a delicious range of food and beverages.

The Coast will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with book signings from Limprecht following the discussion.

If you miss out on a ticket, you can still watch the event as it is livestreamed from the Roaring Stories Facebook page (accessible on the Home page and from the Live tab). A recording will also be available to view later as an upload on the Roaring Stories YouTube channel.

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ABOUT THE COAST

Alice is only nine years old in 1910 when she is sent to the feared Coast Hospital lazaret at Little Bay in Sydney, a veritable prison where more patients are admitted than will ever leave. She is told that she's visiting her mother, who disappeared one day when Alice was two. Once there, Alice learns her mother is suffering from leprosy and that she has the same disease.

As she grows up, the secluded refuge of the lazaret becomes Alice's entire world, her mother and the other patients and medical staff her only human contact. The patients have access to a private sandstone-edged beach, their own rowboat, a piano and a library of books, but Alice is tired of the smallness of her life and is thrilled by the thought of the outside world. It is only when Guy, a Yuwaalaraay man wounded in World War I, arrives at The Coast, that Alice begins to experience what she has yearned for, as they become friends and then something deeper.

Filled with vivid descriptions of the wild beauty of the sea cliffs and beaches surrounding the harsh isolation of the lazaret, and written in evocative prose, The Coast is meticulously researched historical fiction that holds a mirror to the present day. Heartbreaking and soul-lifting, it is a universal story of love, courage, sacrifice and resilience.

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ABOUT ELEANOR LIMPRECHT

Eleanor Limprecht was born in Washington, DC and grew up in the United States, Germany and Pakistan before moving to Australia in 2002. She is the author of The Passengers (Allen & Unwin, 2018), Long Bay (Sleepers Publishing, 2015) and What Was Left (Sleepers Publishing, 2013, shortlisted for the ALS Gold Medal). Her short fiction and essays have been published in various places including Best Australian Stories, Sydney Noir, Griffith Review, Kill Your Darlings and The Big Issue. She's been the recipient of various residencies, scholarships and grants including from the Australia Council, Copyright Agency and the Australian Society of Authors. Eleanor works as a lecturer in Creative Writing at UTS.

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ABOUT SUZANNE LEAL

Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Deceptions, The Teacher’s Secret and Border Street. A regular presenter at literary events and festivals, she is the online host of Thursday Book Club and co-presenter of the BAD All About Crime podcast. She is also a board member of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. From 2017 to 2019, she was the senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, she is a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

a) COVID Safety

This is a COVID Safe event. Attendance is conditional on compliance with current and relevant NSW Heath COVID Safe guidelines.

b) Refunds

Please note that tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or postponed due to extenuating circumstances. Refunds cannot be issued 48 hours before the event.

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This event is presented by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain and Allen & Unwin

With thanks to our venue partner The Royal Oak Balmain

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