What was Left (Eleanor Limprecht, Sleepers)

This year has seen an impressive array of motherhood memoirs, with local writers Jo Case, Monica Dux and Anna Goldsworthy earning acclaim for their candid portrayals of childrearing. What was Left, the debut novel from Sydney writer Eleanor Limprecht, raises some uneasy questions about maternity. Rachel, an adventurous young American, hasn’t felt the same since moving to Australia and giving birth. A damaged tailbone during delivery is a minor concern compared to the undiagnosed post-natal depression swamping her. Afraid, Rachel flees overseas in a desperate bid to locate her missing father, whose rediscovery, she hopes, will restore affection for her abandoned husband and daughter. You don’t need to have given birth to sympathise with Rachel’s predicament. Her perceived failure at being the perfect mother highlights many impossible pressures placed on women today. Rachel’s longing to escape means What was Left also succeeds as great travel fiction. Limprecht’s accomplished prose richly evokes the landscapes of India, Europe and the US, while also capturing the essence of Sydney. An exceptionally talented writer, Limprecht is one to watch.

Emily Laidlaw is a freelance reviewer and marketing coordinator for Kill Your Darlings

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews