The Honeyeater by Jessie Tu

The Honeyeater by Jessie Tu'A searing critique of academia, but one that cleverly weaves in an exploration of skewed power dynamics, the nature of translation, and mother daughter relationships. It's fast paced and written with an intensity that will drive you from page to page. But it's the themes Tu explores exploitation and deception that make The Honeyeater both biting and memorable.' The Guardian 'An absorbing story about longing, power, and cultural identity, Tu does a

'A searing critique of academia, but one that cleverly weaves in an exploration of skewed power dynamics, the nature of translation, and mother-daughter relationships. It's fast-paced and written with an intensity that will drive you from page to page. But it's the themes Tu explores - exploitation and deception - that make The Honeyeater both biting and memorable.' - The Guardian

'An absorbing story about longing, power, and cultural identity, Tu does a brilliant job of hiding her emotional grenades in plain sight, only to detonate them at just the right moment.' - The Sydney Morning Herald

'This second offering, a delicious banquet of microaggressions and epic betrayals, refuses to play politely in a specific genre and the result is a taut, emotionally intelligent, defiant exploration of a young woman's drive to assert herself, to be understood, in a world that would prefer she remained lost in translation.' - The Age

'Tu is original, brilliant, funny, fierce--everything I want in a writer.' - Annabel Crabb

'Daring and moving ... a joy to read.' - Christos Tsiolkas

'Startlingly beautiful and ultimately hopeful.' - Tiffany Tsao

'What a book.' - Alice Pung

'Everything I love in fiction.' - Madeleine Gray, author of Green Dot

'The literary mystery for our times ... a triumph.' - Neela Janakiramanan, author of The Registrar


'Translation is longing. You never get it right.'

Young academic and emerging translator Fay takes her mother on a package tour holiday to France to celebrate her birthday. It's a chance for the two of them to take a break from work and have a little fun, but they both find it hard to relax. Her mother seems reluctant to leave their room in the evening, and Fay is working on a difficult translation. On their last night in France, Fay receives the shattering news that her former lover has suddenly died.

Back in Sydney, Fay seeks solace from her mentor, Professor Samantha Egan-Smith, who offers her a spot at a prestigious translation conference in Taipei. But can she trust her? Does the Professor know more than she is admitting, or is Fay being paranoid? When a shocking allegation is made, Fay chooses to keep it secret. Is she protecting the Professor or exercising power over her?

Fay arrives at the conference in Taipei. Career opportunities abound, but it's ghost month in Taiwan. Her mother had begged her not to go at that time, warning that she would be susceptible to dangers and threats. And there is almost nothing a mother won't do to protect her child.

A wildly inventive, chilling and intoxicating story of betrayal, ambition and love, The Honeyeater confirms that Jessie Tu is one of our most original and exciting writers.


Praise for The Honeyeater:

'A sensitive meditation on what is and isn't said between mother and daughter. In a family stratified by language, Tu beautifully captures the shifting dynamic of who is the parent and who is the child.' - S.L. Lim, author of Revenge


'One of those books that haunts you long after it's finished. Despite the narrator's almost dreamy detachment, it is razor sharp and skewers exoticism.' - Sarah Dingle, author of Brave New Humans

'Thrilling and playful ... Jessie Tu is a compelling literary talent with deep emotional insight and narrative genius.' - Gok-Lim Finch, writer, artist and co-founder of dotdotdash

'The entire book manages to feel both painstakingly crafted, and effortless. But perhaps her most powerful skill is creating three emotionally charged characters; outwardly, they choose composure as their armour, internally they carry rage. This powerful combination is what drives the story forward and kept this reader hooked to the very end.' - The Sydney Morning Herald

'We loved Australian writer Jessie Tu's first novel, A Lonely Girl Is A Dangerous Thing. Her follow-up is just as bold and thrilling, the tale of a young academic tangled in a web of grief, lust and betrayal.' - Vogue