Author(s): Melanie Cheng

Aust Fiction

By the winner of the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction, 2018. Since her sister died, Meg has been on her own. She doesn't mind, not really--not with Atticus, her African grey parrot, to keep her company--but after her house is broken into by a knife-wielding intruder, she decides it might be good to have some company after all. Andy's father has lost his job, and his parents' savings are barely enough to cover his tuition. If he wants to graduate, he'll have to give up his student flat and find a homeshare. Living with an elderly Australian woman is harder than he'd expected, though, and soon he's struggling with more than his studies.    

Melanie Cheng has written such a beautiful and gentle story about two people from very different worlds coming together.  Meg, in her seventies , is looking for companionship and Andy is looking for cheap accomodation.Their unlikely connection is told with such insight and touches on the themes of racism and loneliness but with a real sense of humour. I found this story hard to put down and would very happily recommend it. Jo