The Jacaranda House

Written by Deborah Challinor

Narrated by Rachel King

Bestselling author Deborah Challinor returns with a spellbinding novel about a woman living in Sydney's notorious King's Cross in 1964.

Polly Manaia is living in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross, working as an exotic dancer. She's desperate to bring her young daughter to live with her, but beneath her brash confidence lie dark secrets which threaten to drag her under.

Gina is excited to live with her mum again. She's mature for an eleven-year-old, but can this young girl cope with Polly's demons?

Rhoda and Star, transgender performers and Polly's flatmates, bring stability to Polly and Gina's lives. Yet this unlikely little family will find themselves threatened in more ways than one.

The Jacaranda House is a fascinating portrayal of a shifting society and a beautiful portrait of motherhood and identity.

'Australia's answer to Philippa Gregory' Brisbane Times

'A meticulously researched and compellingly readable story injected with heart and humour, From the Ashes is perfect for fans of Fiona McIntosh and Kate Furnivall. A five-star read' Better Reading

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Aug 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781460782224

Deborah Challinor

Deborah Challinor has a PhD in history and is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including the Children of War series, the Convict Girls series, the Smuggler's Wife series and the Restless Years series. She has also written one young adult novel and two non-fiction books. In 2018, Deborah was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature and historical research. She lives in New Zealand with her husband.

Reviews for The Jacaranda House

[debbiemccauley-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's 1964 and transgender performers Rhoda and Star are flatting with exotic dancer Polly Manaia in Sydney's Kings Cross, the drug and red light capital of Australia. When Polly goes home to New Zealand for a 'visit', she brings back her 11-year-old daughter, Gina, to live with them. Gina was living with Polly's estranged mother in New Zealand. Things appear to go well, until Polly's drug taking habit extends to heroin in order to try and forget her past demons. A confronting story about the secrets we hold in order to try and 'protect' others (see page 347), and how they continue to torment. Gina, Rhoda and Star are fabulous characters.