Like Fire-Hearted Suns

(Paperback)

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An Australian Womens Weekly Great Read

The cost of freedom is sacrifice

London, 1908. Its the dawn of a new century and change is in the air.

When 17-year-old Beatrice Taylor stumbles across the offices of the infamous Pankhursts and the Womens Social and Political Union she begins to realise her future may not be the one she wants.

Her friend Catherine Dawson is too pragmatic to get caught up in the womens suffrage movement. Despite Oxford refusing to award women degrees she is determined to keep apace with her twin brother and pursue a career in science.

Meanwhile, Ida Bennett, recently promoted to head wardress of DX wing at Holloway Prison, has her work cut out for her. The suffragette inmates are refusing to be treated like criminals and Idas not having any of it.

This is the story of three women whose lives become entwined with the burgeoning womens movement and with each other. Like Fire-Hearted Suns shows how much things have changed for women and how much they stay the same.

PRAISE
Like Fire-Hearted Suns, is essential reading, an extraordinary tale that takes us right into the heart of that vital period in history. Australian Womens Weekly

Sometimes a reviewer wants to write this: I loved this book. You might too. The end The best art is compelling, and clarifying. The latitude of Joostens imagination has made all these long-dead invisible women visible to us, bringing updated news from the past. Sydney Morning Herald

Thoughtful, intelligent writing with strong, credible female characters, each of whom grapples with the consequences of her choices. The Age

This historical drama manages to both faithfully recreate a particular setting and time period while also keeping up the thriller pace. Vogue Australia

Like Fire-Hearted Sunsshows how much things have changed for womenand how much they stay the same. AU Review

For those who enjoyedThe Dictionary of Lost WordsandLessons in Chemistry, Melanie Joosten's latest novel will fuel appreciation for the women who advocated for gender equality, no matter the cost. Books+Publishing

Joosten is a gifted writer who manages to integrate factual detail into an engaging, compelling story with a fascinating cast. Her ability to revitalise such an important chapter of womens history is a huge achievement. The Conversation

Reviews

a passionate tale about a time of bitter gender war. * Australian Women's Weekly *
Sharlene Allsopp's important debut shines a light on the discrepancy between fiction and truth in recorded histories, and close to home, the repercussions on First Nations people so long denied an opportunity to share their version of truth. * Vogue Australia *
Thoughtful, intelligent writing with strong, credible female characters, each of whom grapples with the consequences of her choices. * Sydney Morning Herald *

Author Bio

Melanie Joosten is the author of two novels and a book of essays. Berlin Syndrome (2011), a psychological thriller, won the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist prize, and the Kathleen Mitchell Award for the best writer in Australia under 30. Berlin Syndrome was made into an internationally released, AACTA-nominated film directed by Cate Shortland and starring Teresa Palmer. A Long Time Coming: Essays on Old Age was shortlisted for the Nib Waverley Prize (and won the Peoples Prize). It was named the Australasian Journal of Ageing Book of the Year. A social worker by profession, she works as an adviser in justice reform.