The Beautiful Words, Vanessa McCausland
The Beautiful Words, Vanessa McCausland
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The Beautiful Words

Author: Vanessa McCausland

Narrator: Tanya Schneider

Unabridged: 11 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 12/13/2021


Synopsis

Two best friends, one summer night, and twenty years of silence ... what happened at the lighthouse?The stunning, haunting new novel from the author of The Lost Summers of Driftwood.
Sylvie is a lover of words and a collector of stories, only she has lost her own. She has no words for that night at the lighthouse when their lives changed forever. What happened to cleave her apart from her best friend and soulmate, Kase? Sylvie yearns to rekindle their deep connection, so when Kase invites her to the wild Tasmanian coast to celebrate her 40th birthday, she accepts - despite the ghosts she must face. As Sylvie struggles to find her feet among old friends, she bonds with local taxi boat driver Holden. But he is hiding from the world, too.Through an inscription in an old book, Sylvie and Kase discover their mothers have a history, hidden from their daughters. As they unpick what took place before they were born, they're forced to face the rift in their own friendship, and the question of whether it's ever okay to keep a secret to protect the person you love.Vanessa McCausland's enthralling new novel is about betrayal and forgiveness, the stories we tell, and the healing power of words.'This evocative novel completely captivated me and I didn't want it to end. Vanessa McCausland is a remarkable storyteller.' Petronella McGovern'Vanessa McCausland doesn't disappoint! Lyrical and evocative, the trauma and emotion rises off the pages along with the salt spray and the haunting cries of the eagles.' Fiona Lowe'McCausland's poetic writing makes the heart sing. Graceful and glorious.' Alexandra Joel'Reading a Vanessa McCausland book is like indulging in fine dark chocolate - her writing is decadent, dark, complex and luxurious. In this book she takes her lyricism to a new level, reveling in the power of words and stories to both heal and harm.' Cassie Hamer'Rich with atmosphere and moral conflicts, The Beautiful Words sensitively explores the intricacies of two generations bound by secrets, with McCausland's trademark, hauntingly lyrical prose. It's a gifted storyteller that keeps me up way past my bedtime, but once again, I found myself unable to put Vanessa McCausland's novel down.' Maya Linnell'Intriguing ... The Beautiful Words is a compelling story in a uniquely Australian setting for fans of Hannah Richell or Emily Bitto.' Books + Publishing'Breathtaking ... Rich with atmosphere and written in haunting, melodic prose, The Beautiful Words is a powerful and timely work of fiction that celebrates the importance of female friendship and women's voices. Ultimately, though, it is a tale of healing, and a love letter to words and the power of storytelling.' Better Reading'A clever and wonderful book' Herald Sun

About Vanessa McCausland

Vanessa studied English and Australian literature at the University of Sydney and dreamed of one day writing fiction. She then went on to immerse herself completely in writing about real people, working as a journalist for twenty years. Vanessa has been a news, medical, entertainment and arts reporter for the Daily Telegraph and her writing has appeared in numerous other publications. She's happy to now, finally, be creating fictional characters. She lives in Sydney with her husband and daughter.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Suz on August 21, 2022

This is a lovely book of many layers, and generations of women. Sylvie lives a reclusive life. She cleans houses, but it is more than this, she does this with a uniquenss that only she can posess. The dead leave physical items behind, but she cares for these and sorts out the special things she come......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on March 04, 2022

Sylvie was a cleaner, but not just any cleaner. After someone passed away it was her job to clean out the last of the possessions and to get them ready for sale. Everything that was left was to go to charity or the tip. Sylvie felt a great deal of sadness as she went through people's precious items......more

*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com *www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr The Beautiful Words by Vanessa McCausland. (2021). Sylvie is a lover of words and a collector of stories but she has no words for that night at the lighthouse. What happened to cleave her apart from her best friend Kase? Sylvie misses thei......more

Goodreads review by Jülie ☼♄  on March 23, 2022

Just beautiful 🥰 The Beautiful Words indeed… This book…these words…so intuitively evocative…so touchingly raw and heartfelt. I’m just blown away by its easy uninhibited honesty. My goodness what a talented author is Vanessa McCausland! Personally, I would consider this book to be a modern classic. It’s ta......more

Goodreads review by Janelle on January 06, 2022

Beautiful writing! Sylvie is middle aged, lives alone in Sydney, and works as a sort of cleaner, clearing out the houses of deceased people. She suffered a traumatic head injury 23 years earlier in an accident where her best friend, Kase’s brother, Tristan died. Kase visited Sylvie in hospital once......more