Cooee

Isabel Weaving is pining for her second husband, the charismatic Max, but he is no longer around. She adores her beloved granddaughter, Sophie, and her distant son, Dominic. But she views the rest of her family (placid daughter, Kate, mild-mannered first husband, Steve, bossy big sister, Zoe) with withering distaste.

Cooee is Vivienne Kelly’s debut novel, originally published in 2008—a story full of wit, dark humour and unexpected twists and turns.

Vivienne Kelly was born and educated in Melbourne, where she now lives. She has worked at the University of Melbourne and at Monash University, and was awarded a doctorate for her work on myth and history in Australia. Cooee, her first novel was shortlisted for the Age Book of the Year Awards. Her second book, the heartwarming, darkly funny family novel The Starlings, will be published in 2017.

‘An intriguing and deeply emotional story of love, loyalty and art of self-delusion…It is a clever author indeed who can create a flawed protagonist and not turn the reader off. It is a fine line to walk and Vivienne Kelly proves she is an expert at walking the tightrope.’ Toowoomba Chronicle

‘I absolutely loved Cooee by Vivienne Kelly, who writes so incredibly well. It’s sort of a dark and elegant literary mystery.’ Wendy Harmer

‘Cooee is an unexpected delight.’ Herald Sun

‘How masterfully Vivienne Kelly turns the screws in this drolly gothic morality tale…Cooee is a tantalising story of denial, delusion and suspense by a wonderfully fresh and confident new voice.’ Cate Kennedy

‘Kelly has cleverly constructed her tale so that, just when the reader may be getting exasperated with Isabel’s attitudes, her reactions and her (almost) petulance, a major twist adds intrigue…This is a brilliant debut novel.’ BookMooch