Overland literary journal

modesty prevents them

Written by Jeff Sparrow on 22-04-2009

Being such shy, retiring types, my co-editors have been all coy about their achievements. Lacking inhibitions of that kind, I note that Rjurik will soon publish a book of his short stories in Britain, while Kalinda's novel The Danger Game is rapidly taking shape. Here's some of the encomiums it has attracted:

'Kalinda Ashton's The Danger Game is an unflinching examination of familial and communal bonds. It is a masterful, poignant, powerful and true. Ashton¹s is a remarkable voice and this is a wonderful novel.' ­
Christos Tsiolkas

'The Danger Game is an exquisitely written portrait of a disintegrating family in a turbulent era.'  ­ Amanda Lohrey

'Ashton's The Danger Game announces a new and vital voice in  Australian literature. The writing hits every note ­ on every page.' Tony Birch

'Kalinda Ashton loves her damaged characters, and makes us love them too. With forgiveness, an enormous sensibility for suffering, and a wry, forensic eye, she explores the injuries that lie inside their souls. This subtle and engrossing debut novel combines Ashton¹s exquisite feel for language with precise observation of suburban lives. Lonely Jeremy, survivor Alice and risk-taking Louise are people we know from life; discovering their secrets and stories makes The Danger Game a wise, disquieting, and memorable read.' ­ Kate Holden

'A brilliant novel about a damaged family, The Danger Game breaks your
heart and promises to put it back together again. In Jeremy, Ashton has created a character whose demise leaves you stunned and wishing there was another way.  He will stay with me.' ­ Ian Syson

I think it's pretty good, too.