The Broken Book by Susan Johnson

• National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia
• State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Publisher of Nominated Edition
Allen & Unwin ISBN 1741143519

Mirroring truths of art and life, creativity and reality, The Broken Book is, at its heart, the story of a woman's struggle to become the artist she has passionately planned to be.

Katherine Elgin grew up in a small coastal town in Australia, desperate to transcend her beginnings and make her mark. From her rebellious and contemplative childhood Katherine emerges as a stunningly beautiful young woman, with a voracious appetite for life's most interesting experience and an overwhelming desire to write the best book she possibly can.

But beauty is a double-edged sword and throughout her life - from Sydney, to London, to the islands of Greece - Katherine carries the burden of being both siren and artist.

Inspired by the fascinating life of one of Australia's most talented and intriguing literary figures, Charmain Clift, The Broken Book is wonderfully rich, complex and compelling. Susan Johnson has created an audacious and original novel with an awe-inspiring ability to explore emotional truths.

Susan Johnson is the author of five novels and a memoir. Since 2001, she has lived in London with her husband and two sons.