Local writer, author and director Madeleine Ryan launched her long-awaited second book The Knowing earlier this year and Northern Books is celebrating its release with a special event at Grafting Cellars in Castlemaine this Thursday.
Ryan’s articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, SBS, Vogue, The Daily Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Vice.
Her second book follows on from debut smash A Room Called Earth (2020).
Ryan told the Express her new book had been about four years in the making.
“Some stories just flow out of you, but this one took time to develop and find its way. Each book has its own ‘life force’, its own clock,” she said.
“I try to distil a lot of elements of modern life in its essence. This story takes place across the span of a day. It’s partly set in regional Victoria. It’s about power, technology, womanhood, the body. There are a lot of themes and topical issues packed in there and I really wanted to take the time to pick apart each one and find a through-line.”
The brilliant new novel is about the mess that comes before salvation.
The protagonist Camille lives in the country. She’s forgotten her phone. She’s taking the train to work. She’s got period pain. She can’t escape herself … or her toxic boss, Holly. And it’s Valentine’s Day, one of the most stressful days of the year for any floral designer!
The Knowing is a day in the life of a woman who goes to work as usual while dreaming of more.
“I like to elevate the everyday, look at the little things that make life magical and how we can rise above our problems and transcend. Camille can’t escape into her phone as so many of us do and so she is forced to face her problems head on,” Ryan said.
As part of Thursday night’s intimate event, Ryan will be taking part in a Q&A with Triple R’s Melissa Fulton and they will be unpacking some of the topics in the book.
So what’s next for the author?
When she is not writing she is working with her partner on a number of projects aimed at screen, television and film.
“My third book is already complete and is set for release in 2026,” she said.
“I’m currently working on book number four and also working on the screen adaptation of my first novel, A Room Called Earth, which I would love to see picked up by one of the streaming services, but it’s very competitive out there.”
Tickets to Thursday’s event at Grafting Cellars, 35 Templeton Street, Castlemaine are limited and are $15 each. To get yours, visit www.northernbooks.com.au/madeleineryan
