Pretty Girls

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Pretty Girls is a visceral narrative of violence, personal tragedy and female resilience set against the backdrop of one of Australias most politically charged communities, Redfern, where sinister racial tensions underpin everything.

Evie is a woman in her mid-thirties who returns to her hometown to meet with her dying father. In coming back to the place where she grew up she has to revisit her history of violence the death of her mother, the suicide of her brother and the domestic violence that occurred in her home. Her father only has a short time to live she expects to find him a changed man. But hes not. Hes unrepentant and unapologetic for his actions. Evie has to reclaim her story shes not just a pretty girl, she wont just sit down, be quiet, stay still but getting there is more than tough, more than an ordeal its a mammoth display of tenacity and strength.

Pretty Girls is ultimately a story of triumph. Evie rises from the ashes of a hellish past and re-writes her story. There is a part of Evie in every woman and Pretty Girls seeks to start a movement.

"I know there are other people out there, just like me. People who think they are alone in life and that their cards have been dealt... But now I know there's always time for change and there's always a better path. You just have to look for it." - Jimmy Barnes,Working Class Boy

Author Bio

Lisa Portolan is an author and researcher from Sydney. Her PhD relates to digital intimacies, in particular dating apps and modern romance. She has three books published, including best-selling, Happy As, and cult queer-lit hit, The Overthinkers. She writes regularly for The Conversation, in relation to love, intimacy and dating, and is featured on day-time television and radio. Her work through Western Sydney University focuses on the concept of high-maintenance women, the notion of the Aussie Bloke, and other narratives, and cultural and social idioms invoked in modern dating and romance. She is also the host of the Slow Love podcast series (top ten in 2020). Samantha McDonald is an Australian director and producer. She has a degree in Law and Communications majoring in film. She has spent the majority of her career working in the fitness, sport and marketing space, as a trainer and later as a production expert. Growing up there was always a focus on looks and it took her years to reclaim her own story and reach a place of acceptance, joy and love.