Better Days (Claire Zorn, Atlantic)
Claire Zorn’s Better Days is a gem of a novel that lingers in your mind, leaving you thinking about its characters and eager to return to their world. This is Zorn’s debut adult novel, following her four acclaimed YA novels, including One Would Think the Deep, and the picture book No Place for an Octopus. The story begins with Grace navigating her first romantic relationship at university, caught up in a whirlwind of music and dreams of travelling the world. But when she finds herself alone in London, the rose-coloured glasses come off, and she must build her own bright future from the ground up. Set in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and London, the narrative shifts seamlessly between time and place, with each chapter revealing another piece of the puzzle — how Grace became who she is and what has shaped her journey. The novel is divided into five parts and is primarily told from Grace’s perspective, though Zorn occasionally shifts to the viewpoints of Grace’s husband, Ed, and her mother, Dorothy. Dorothy’s voice, in particular, adds significant depth, filling in gaps and shedding light on Grace’s struggles, including her career managing the famous — and demanding — singer Ada. Dorothy’s perspective becomes even more poignant as Grace faces the challenges of motherhood, with this exploration emerging as one of the book’s core strengths. Better Days sensitively delves into themes of identity in work, toxic relationships, postpartum depression, and the tension between the lives we imagine for ourselves and the realities we face. Through humorous writing and compelling dialogue, Zorn explores these subjects with nuance and empathy. Perfect for readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Genevieve Novak and Natalie Sue’s I Hope This Finds You Well.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is the editor for reviews at Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews
