The Beautiful Words

Two best friends, one summer night, and twenty years of silence ... what happened at the lighthouse?

The stunning, haunting new novel from the author of The Lost Summers of Driftwood.

Sylvie is a lover of words and a collector of stories, only she has lost her own. She has no words for that night at the lighthouse when their lives changed forever. What happened to cleave her apart from her best friend and soulmate, Kase?

Sylvie yearns to rekindle their deep connection, so when Kase invites her to the wild Tasmanian coast to celebrate her 40th birthday, she accepts - despite the ghosts she must face.

As Sylvie struggles to find her feet among old friends, she bonds with local taxi boat driver Holden. But he is hiding from the world, too.

Through an inscription in an old book, Sylvie and Kase discover their mothers have a history, hidden from their daughters. As they unpick what took place before they were born, they're forced to face the rift in their own friendship, and the question of whether it's ever okay to keep a secret to protect the person you love.

Vanessa McCausland's enthralling new novel is about betrayal and forgiveness, the stories we tell, and the healing power of words.

'This evocative novel completely captivated me and I didn't want it to end. Vanessa McCausland is a remarkable storyteller.' Petronella McGovern

'Vanessa McCausland doesn't disappoint! Lyrical and evocative, the trauma and emotion rises off the pages along with the salt spray and the haunting cries of the eagles.' Fiona Lowe

'McCausland's poetic writing makes the heart sing. Graceful and glorious.' Alexandra Joel

'Reading a Vanessa McCausland book is like indulging in fine dark chocolate - her writing is decadent, dark, complex and luxurious. In this book she takes her lyricism to a new level, reveling in the power of words and stories to both heal and harm.' Cassie Hamer

'Rich with atmosphere and moral conflicts, The Beautiful Words sensitively explores the intricacies of two generations bound by secrets, with McCausland's trademark, hauntingly lyrical prose. It's a gifted storyteller that keeps me up way past my bedtime, but once again, I found myself unable to put Vanessa McCausland's novel down.' Maya Linnell

'Intriguing ... The Beautiful Words is a compelling story in a uniquely Australian setting for fans of Hannah Richell or Emily Bitto.' Books + Publishing

'Breathtaking ... Rich with atmosphere and written in haunting, melodic prose, The Beautiful Words is a powerful and timely work of fiction that celebrates the importance of female friendship and women's voices. Ultimately, though, it is a tale of healing, and a love letter to words and the power of storytelling.' Better Reading

'A clever and wonderful book' Herald Sun

Sylvie is a lover of words who lives a quiet and solitary life after an accident as a teenager robbed her of her memories. When her best friend from that time, Kase, invites her away to the Tasmanian coast to celebrate her 40th birthday, Sylvie surprises herself by accepting. Kase and her friends are all successful, which has brought them power and cachet, and Sylvie begins to feel the gap between her teenage potential and current self. Kase and her friends enjoy the luxurious surroundings and delicious food but, as Sylvie observes throughout the weekend, their money has not bought them happiness or peace. The Beautiful Words is a story of romance, trauma, powerful friendships, secrets across generations and the treacherous nature of memory. Author Vanessa McCausland brings the Tasmanian wilderness to life with expressive and vivid descriptions: the island is wild, evocative and responsive to Sylvie's emotions. The big reveal unfolds over the last third of the book, with twists and turns and final resolutions that keep the novel both intriguing but also feel somewhat forced. Part of the denouement could not be more timely, asking what can women do with credible accusations against men in power, but the novel also asks more relatable questions about what friends owe each other and what can be forgiven. The Beautiful Words is a compelling story in a uniquely Australian setting for fans of Hannah Richell or Emily Bitto. Fay Helfenbaum is a freelance writer and editor and was a bookseller for five years. 

Vanessa studied English and Australian literature at the University of Sydney and dreamed of one day writing fiction. She then went on to immerse herself completely in writing about real people, working as a journalist for twenty years. Vanessa has been a news, medical, entertainment and arts reporter for the Daily Telegraph and her writing has appeared in numerous other publications. She's happy to now, finally, be creating fictional characters. She lives in Sydney with her husband and daughter.

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