Growing up is always hard, but especially when so many think you're a washed-up has-been at twenty-two.
Winner, Literary Fiction Book of the Year, ABIA Awards
Winner, Sydney Morning Herald Best Australian Young Novelist
Shortlisted, Readings New Australian Fiction Prize
Shortlisted, Matt Richell New Writer of the Year, ABIA Awards
Shortlisted, Colin Roderick Award
Shortlisted, Multicultural NSW Award, NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Jena Lin plays the violin. She was once a child prodigy and now uses sex to fill the void left by fame. She's struggling a little. Her professional life comprises rehearsals, concerts, auditions and relentless practice; her personal life is spent managing the demands of her strict family and creative friends, and hooking up. And then she meets Mark - much older and worldly-wise - who consumes her. But at what cost to her dreams?
When Jena is awarded an internship with the New York Philharmonic, she thinks the life she has dreamed of is about to begin. But when Trump is elected, New York changes irrevocably and Jena along with it. Is the dream over? As Jena's life takes on echoes of Frances Ha, her favourite film, crucial truths are gradually revealed to her.
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing explores female desire and the consequences of wanting too much and never getting it. It is about the awkwardness and pain of being human in an increasingly dislocated world - and how, in spite of all this, we still try to become the person we want to be. This is a dazzling and original debut from a young writer with a fierce, intelligent and audacious voice.
'I absolutely inhaled this book. Gutsy, bold and surprising, with a darkness that draws you in and keeps you hanging onto every word.' Bri Lee, author of Eggshell Skull
'Jessie Tu's writing is fierce and bold; I read this novel with escalating excitement, galvanised by the emergence of a powerful new voice.' Christos Tsiolkas, author of Damascus
'Searing, unflinching and unapologetic, Jessie Tu is a fearless talent.' Sophie Hardcastle, author of Below Deck
Winner of Indie Book Awards 2021 (Australia) Winner of ABIA Awards 2021 (Australia) Short-listed for Readings New Australian Fiction Prize 2020 (Australia) Short-listed for Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2021 (Australia) Short-listed for Matt Richell New Writer of the Year 2021 (Australia) Short-listed for Stella Prize 2021 (Australia) Long-listed for Best Debut 2021 (Australia) Long-listed for ABIA Awards 2021 (Australia)
Tu trained as a classical violinist for more than 15 years. Failing to succeed as a professional musician, she taught music at Kambala, St Ignatius College, MLC Burwood, Kings School, Newington College. She's taught at refugee camps in the Middle East, volunteered with AUSAID in The Solomon Islands, travelled to complete residencies in the U.S, and now works as a journalist at Women's Agenda. She's won several poetry and writing awards, and her first book of poetry was released in 2018. A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing is her first novel.
Jena Chung plays the violin. She was once a child prodigy and is now addicted to sex. She's struggling a little. Her professional life comprises rehearsals, concerts, auditions and relentless practice; her personal life is spent managing family demands, those of her creative friends, and lots of sex. Jena is selfish, impulsive and often behaves badly, though mostly only to her own detriment. And then she meets Mark - much older and worldly-wise - who bewitches her. Could this be love? When Jena wins an internship with the New York Philharmonic, she thinks the life she has dreamed of is about to begin. But when Trump is elected, New York changes irrevocably and Jena along with it. Is the dream over? With echoes of Frances Ha , Jena's favourite film, truths are gradually revealed to her. Jena comes to learn that there are many different ways to live and love and that no one has the how-to guide for any of it - not even her indomitable mother. A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing unflinchingly explores the confusion of having expectations upturned, and the awkwardness and pain of being human in our increasingly dislocated world - and how, in spite of all this, we still try to become the person we want to be. It is a dazzling, original and astounding debut from a young writer with a fierce, intelligent and fearless new voice.
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