The Desert Knows Her Name

Bookseller recommendation

“Towards the end of The Desert Knows Her Name, one of the main characters muses on how people can love and destroy the same thing; over and over, apparently. In this unusual novel set in the Wimmera desert, the notion of pain and loss is apparent on every page. This story centres on a young girl who wanders barefoot into Beth’s life. Beth, a regenerative farmer and collector of seeds is trying to bring her family’s dried-out farm back to life. Her parents have died tragically, and she is trying to believe that there is good in the world. Her friend Nate, the local pub owner, carries more than his fair share of grief, and together they form an alliance to protect the young Indigenous girl, who is injured in all the ways possible and chooses not to speak.”

— Chris • Readings