Fat child, self-denying adolescent, hungry young woman. A body now burgeoning uncontrolled into middle age. Kris Kneen has borne the usual indignities: the clothes that won’t fasten, the mirror that affronts, the stranger whose gaze judges and dismisses. This is the story of how Kris learned to look unblinkingly at their recalcitrant body, and ultimately found the courage to carry it to freedom. Fat Girl Dancing is a frank, beautiful and triumphant ode to self-respect from one of Australia’s most original and acclaimed writers. Kris Kneen is the award-winning author of memoir—Affection and The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen—and fiction: An Uncertain Grace, Steeplechase, Triptych, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine, Wintering, as well as the Thomas Shapcott Award-winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother. They have written and directed broadcast documentaries for SBS and ABC Television. ‘Muscular, dexterous, and superbly inventive, Fat Girl Dancing is an extraordinary investigation - and expression - of the self.’ Sarah Krasnostein ‘Insightful and poetic, Fat Girl Dancing is a triumph. I am better for having read it, perhaps even a little more human. This book may be Kneen's specific story, but it is for every mind and every body.’ Bri Lee ‘A prism of a book, relighting the world around us, page by page.’ Chloe Hooper 'A story of love that questions perceptions and presumptions with gentle heart, unflinching introspection and lyrical ferocity. Exquisitely shaped and personally provocative.’ Ashley Hay
From Stella Prize-shortlisted author Krissy Kneen comes an intergenerational study of family—a journey into memory, trauma and the lifelong secrets of a towering matriarch.
When Jessica’s partner disappears into the dark Tasmanian forest, there is of course the mystery of what happened to him—the deserted car, the enigmatic final image recorded on his phone. There is the strange circle of local women, widows of disappeared men, with their edgy fellowship and unhinged theories. And the forest itself: looming hugely over this tiny settlement on the remote tip of the island. But for Jessica there is also the tight community in which she is still a stranger and Matthew was not. What secrets do they know about her own life, that she doesn’t. And why do they believe things that should not—cannot—be true. For her own sanity, Jessica needs to know two things. Who was Matthew? And who—or what—has he become? Krissy Kneen is the award-winning author of memoir—Affection—and fiction: An Uncertain Grace, Steeplechase, Triptych, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine, as well as the Thomas Shapcott Award-winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother. They have written and directed broadcast documentaries for SBS and ABC Television. ‘At once a supernatural thriller and a sharp meditation on the legacy abusive men leave behind.’ Readings ‘Kneen’s writing, by turns playful and elegant, is never less than stimulating, in the literal and figurative senses of the word.’ Stella Prize 2017 Judges’ Report ‘Endlessly curious and inventive, provocative and inspiring.’ Sydney Morning Herald ‘[A] taut new novel...Wintering uses [a] closed community to examine some disturbing aspects of Australian culture: parochialism, machismo, an unwillingness to face up to the past...Kneen also finds room for strength and kindness in this sleek and gripping novel.’ Australian ‘This book is a surprise, [with] drama and twists that leave you exhilarated...Kneen has jumped, unafraid, into many shades of rough territory.’ Courier Mail ‘Thought-provoking...satisfying and compelling.’ Herald Sun ‘One of Australia’s hidden literary gems. With each new book, I find myself hoping that readers will finally discover her quirky, sexy and incredibly beautiful writing.’ Books+Publishing ‘Highly unusual, very ambitious...but I think Krissy Kneen achieves it.’ Radio New Zealand
From Stella Prize-shortlisted author Krissy Kneen comes an intergenerational study of family—a journey into memory, trauma and the lifelong secrets of a towering matriarch.
Bec Reich is recovering from surgery when Emily calls, so naturally she thinks she is hallucinating. Emily, famous worldwide for her paintings, and also for her schizophrenia, lives in Beijing. But that's not why she hasn't spoken to Bec for so many years. And now she wants Bec to come to China for the opening of her new show. Which would mean revisiting the sinister games and shared delusions of their strange, locked-in childhood. It would mean a risk of hurt; even damage. Or worse. Krissy Kneen is a bookseller and writer in Brisbane. Their memoir, Affection, was published in 2009 and shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Award and the ABIA Award in 2010. Krissy is also the author of the erotic adventure, Triptych, which was published in 2011. Steeplechase is their first non-erotic novel. textpublishing.com.au 'Steeplechase is both disturbing and mesmerising. This is writing that displays incredible emotional depth. Krissy Kneen is an author who writes with generosity and truth.' Favel Parrett 'Kneen has a rare gift for constructing the most exquisite architectures of narrative and meaning from simple and elegant prose.' John Birmingham 'Krissy Kneen's deceptively simple prose careens towards a startling and horrifying denouement; her talent for strikingly vibrant imagery shines...Steeplechase is a departure for Kneen, who is best known for her erotic writing. This novel will appeal to a broader audience, while her fans will continue to relish Kneen's vivid imagery and fearless prose.' Australian Bookseller & Publisher 'A densely plotted and compelling tale...Kneen is adept at defusing tension with scenes of Beijing life and with the homely affection of Bec's reluctant affair, but as the novel nears its revelatory and satisfying climax she cuts more and more rapidly and with absolutely assurance between past and present, never losing the reader but ramping up tension and expectation until the book is impossible to put down....Kneen's first real fiction is an accomplished work that will not easily be forgotten.' Adelaide Advertiser 'A compelling tale with a brilliant climax...This thought-provoking tale touches on obsession, adulation, artistic genius, student-tacher affairs, guilt, inferiority, love and mental illness...This is a hypnotic, powerful, stirring tale: Kneen is a writer to look out for.' BookMooch.com 'The voice is strong, the writing vivid, the prose disarmingly frank, uncluttered and easily propels the reader along...Conversational exchanges are convincing, creating high-resolution snapshots of scene and people. Verdict: Lyrical, persuasive and intriguing.' Courier Mail
Bec Reich is recovering from surgery when Emily calls, so naturally she thinks she is hallucinating. Emily, famous worldwide for her paintings, and also for her schizophrenia, lives in Beijing. But that's not why she hasn't spoken to Bec for so many years. And now she wants Bec to come to China for the opening of her new show. Which would mean revisiting the sinister games and shared delusions of their strange, locked-in childhood. It would mean a risk of hurt; even damage. Or worse. Krissy Kneen is a bookseller and writer in Brisbane. Their memoir, Affection, was published in 2009 and shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Award and the ABIA Award in 2010. Krissy is also the author of the erotic adventure, Triptych, which was published in 2011. Steeplechase is their first non-erotic novel. textpublishing.com.au 'Steeplechase is both disturbing and mesmerising. This is writing that displays incredible emotional depth. Krissy Kneen is an author who writes with generosity and truth.' Favel Parrett 'Kneen has a rare gift for constructing the most exquisite architectures of narrative and meaning from simple and elegant prose.' John Birmingham 'Krissy Kneen's deceptively simple prose careens towards a startling and horrifying denouement; her talent for strikingly vibrant imagery shines...Steeplechase is a departure for Kneen, who is best known for her erotic writing. This novel will appeal to a broader audience, while her fans will continue to relish Kneen's vivid imagery and fearless prose.' Australian Bookseller & Publisher 'A densely plotted and compelling tale...Kneen is adept at defusing tension with scenes of Beijing life and with the homely affection of Bec's reluctant affair, but as the novel nears its revelatory and satisfying climax she cuts more and more rapidly and with absolutely assurance between past and present, never losing the reader but ramping up tension and expectation until the book is impossible to put down....Kneen's first real fiction is an accomplished work that will not easily be forgotten.' Adelaide Advertiser 'A compelling tale with a brilliant climax...This thought-provoking tale touches on obsession, adulation, artistic genius, student-tacher affairs, guilt, inferiority, love and mental illness...This is a hypnotic, powerful, stirring tale: Kneen is a writer to look out for.' BookMooch.com 'The voice is strong, the writing vivid, the prose disarmingly frank, uncluttered and easily propels the reader along...Conversational exchanges are convincing, creating high-resolution snapshots of scene and people. Verdict: Lyrical, persuasive and intriguing.' Courier Mail
When Jessica’s partner disappears into the dark Tasmanian forest, there is of course the mystery of what happened to him—the deserted car, the enigmatic final image recorded on his phone. There is the strange circle of local women, widows of disappeared men, with their edgy fellowship and unhinged theories. And the forest itself: looming hugely over this tiny settlement on the remote tip of the island. But for Jessica there is also the tight community in which she is still a stranger and Matthew was not. What secrets do they know about her own life, that she doesn’t. And why do they believe things that should not—cannot—be true. For her own sanity, Jessica needs to know two things. Who was Matthew? And who—or what—has he become? Krissy Kneen is the award-winning author of memoir—Affection—and fiction: An Uncertain Grace, Steeplechase, Triptych, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine, as well as the Thomas Shapcott Award-winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother. They have written and directed broadcast documentaries for SBS and ABC Television. ‘At once a supernatural thriller and a sharp meditation on the legacy abusive men leave behind.’ Readings ‘Kneen’s writing, by turns playful and elegant, is never less than stimulating, in the literal and figurative senses of the word.’ Stella Prize 2017 Judges’ Report ‘Endlessly curious and inventive, provocative and inspiring.’ Sydney Morning Herald ‘[A] taut new novel...Wintering uses [a] closed community to examine some disturbing aspects of Australian culture: parochialism, machismo, an unwillingness to face up to the past...Kneen also finds room for strength and kindness in this sleek and gripping novel.’ Australian ‘This book is a surprise, [with] drama and twists that leave you exhilarated...Kneen has jumped, unafraid, into many shades of rough territory.’ Courier Mail ‘Thought-provoking...satisfying and compelling.’ Herald Sun ‘One of Australia’s hidden literary gems. With each new book, I find myself hoping that readers will finally discover her quirky, sexy and incredibly beautiful writing.’ Books+Publishing ‘Highly unusual, very ambitious...but I think Krissy Kneen achieves it.’ Radio New Zealand
Fat child, self-denying adolescent, hungry young woman. A body now burgeoning uncontrolled into middle age. Kris Kneen has borne the usual indignities: the clothes that won’t fasten, the mirror that affronts, the stranger whose gaze judges and dismisses. This is the story of how Kris learned to look unblinkingly at their recalcitrant body, and ultimately found the courage to carry it to freedom. Fat Girl Dancing is a frank, beautiful and triumphant ode to self-respect from one of Australia’s most original and acclaimed writers. Kris Kneen is the award-winning author of memoir—Affection and The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen—and fiction: An Uncertain Grace, Steeplechase, Triptych, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine, Wintering, as well as the Thomas Shapcott Award-winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother. They have written and directed broadcast documentaries for SBS and ABC Television. ‘Muscular, dexterous, and superbly inventive, Fat Girl Dancing is an extraordinary investigation - and expression - of the self.’ Sarah Krasnostein ‘Insightful and poetic, Fat Girl Dancing is a triumph. I am better for having read it, perhaps even a little more human. This book may be Kneen's specific story, but it is for every mind and every body.’ Bri Lee ‘A prism of a book, relighting the world around us, page by page.’ Chloe Hooper 'A story of love that questions perceptions and presumptions with gentle heart, unflinching introspection and lyrical ferocity. Exquisitely shaped and personally provocative.’ Ashley Hay
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