Allegra in Three Parts

Suzanne Daniel

May 2019 · Macmillan Publishers Aus.

About this ebook

'Impressive...Suzanne Daniel has cleverly woven in the feminism of the time...an accomplished moving and thoughtful read.' Books+Publishing

WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION 2020

I can split myself in two... something I have to do because of Joy and Matilde. They are my grandmothers and I love them both and they totally love me but they can't stand each other.

Eleven-year-old Allegra shuttles between her grandmothers who live next door to one another but couldn't be more different. Matilde works all hours and instils discipline, duty and restraint. She insists that Allegra focus on her studies to become a doctor.

Meanwhile free-spirited Joy is full of colour, possibility and emotion, storing all her tears in little glass bottles. She is riding the second wave of the women's movement in the company of her penny tortoise, Simone de Beauvoir, encouraging Ally to explore broad horizons and live her 'true essence'.

And then there's Rick who lives in a flat out the back and finds distraction in gambling and solace in surfing. He's trying to be a good father to Al Pal, while grieving the woman who links them all but whose absence tears them apart.

Allegra is left to orbit these three worlds wishing they loved her a little less and liked each other a lot more. Until one day the unspoken tragedy that's created this division explodes within the person they all cherish most.


PRAISE FOR ALLEGRA IN THREE PARTS

'Allegra drew me into her life from the first page and I didn't want to leave. Funny, smart, tender and wise, this is a book to curl up with by the fire or basking on the beach. I loved it.' Liz Byrski, author of A Month of Sundays

'The captivating Allegra leads a strong cast of characters...the era and its issues are beautifully evoked, but this is a universal coming-of-age story that is almost timeless. A delightful uplifting read.' Good Reading

'For those who remember being young - with the added bonus of delightful descriptions about life in the 70s.' Daily Telegraph

'Stellar debut...a story of family, second-wave feminism, faither, friendship' Marie Claire

'The novel paints a nostalgic and alarming picture of women's lives and feminist activism in the '70s and pays homage to the fearless women, including iconic feminist Anne Summers, who established Australia's first women's refuge...I'd give it to any teenage girl as recommended reading.' Sydney Morning Herald

'heartwarming...touching...funny...charming...the rise of feminist consciousness in the home is skilfully documented...Daniel's gift for authentic characters and her understanding of the way in which the past is tattooed on the present make this a delightfully thought-provoking romp' Weekend Australian

'While Allegra in Three Parts is primarily a coming-of-age story...it has a political purpose: to document and dramatise the impact of Australia's patriarchal society. No doubt [it] will fly off the shelves into bookclub living rooms, where it will be admired for its imagination, political interest, and heart.' Canberra Times

'A stunning coming-of-age debut' Gold Coast Bulletin

'An Aussie story to cherish' Queensland Times

Ratings and reviews

Great read. Happy and sad made me wish I had 2 grandmas just like them. A really lovely story

About the author

Suzanne Daniel is a journalist and communications consultant who has also worked for ABC TV, the Sydney Morning Herald, the United Nations, BBC (London) and in crisis management and social services. For the past twenty years she has served on community, philanthropic and public company boards. Suzanne lives in Sydney with her husband and family. Allegra in Three Parts is her first novel.