Past the Shallows

Everyone loves Harry. Everyone except his father.

Three brothers, Joe, Miles and Harry, are growing up on the remote south coast of Tasmania. The brother' lives are shaped by their father's moods - like the ocean he fishes, his is wild and unpredictable. He is a bitter man, warped by a devastating secret.

Miles tries his best to watch out for Harry, the youngest, but he can't be there all the time. Often alone, Harry finds joy in the small treasure he discovers, in the shark eggs and cuttlefish bones. In a kelpie pup, a big mug of Milo, and a secret friendship with a mysterious neighbour. But sometimes small treasures, or a brother's love, are not enough.

Winner, Newcomer of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA), 2012

Winner, Dobbie Literary Award, 2012

Listed on the NSW and Victorian school curriculum

PRAISE for PAST THE SHALLOWS:

'that rare thing, a finely crafted literary novel that is genuinely moving and full of heart' THE AGE

'an understated and beautifully penned story set on the Tasmanian coast, gives voice to two brothers as their lives are influenced by unpredictable forces....Parrett's writing is exquisite in its simplicity and eloquence, and her narrative is heart-rending.This poignant story resonates.' KIRKUS REVIEWS, USA

'Beautiful, stripped-back prose...there is magic here. Like Cormac McCarthy, Parrett packs a huge emotional punch thanks to the elegant brevity of her style. Stark, but unforgettable...' MARIE CLAIRE, UK

'If you read only one book this year make sure it's this.' THE SUNDAY TIMES, Tasmania

'Wintonesque' HERALD SUN

'I loved Past the Shallows' Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDS

“I loved Past the Shallows - Kevin Powers, author of The Yellow BirdsThis is an extraordinary debut novel, part psychological family drama, part mystery, part painful rite of passage, engulfed in the wild isolation and natural richness of the Tasmanian coast. Favel's intimate understanding of this rugged heel of the world seeps through every pore of this book. - The Australian Woman's WeeklyThis book is that rare thing, a finely crafted literary novel that is genuinely moving and full of heart. - The AgeParrett's starkly precise evocation of Tasmania's winter landscape [is] compelling. The book's tragic outcome leaves the reader feeling genuinely bereft. - The Guardian, UKBeautiful, stripped-back prose...there is magic here. Like Cormac McCarthy, Parrett packs a huge emotional punch thanks to the elegant brevity of her style. Stark, but unforgettable. - Marie Claire Magazine, UK”

I loved Past the Shallows - Kevin Powers, author of The Yellow Birds

This is an extraordinary debut novel, part psychological family drama, part mystery, part painful rite of passage, engulfed in the wild isolation and natural richness of the Tasmanian coast. Favel's intimate understanding of this rugged heel of the world seeps through every pore of this book. - The Australian Woman's Weekly

This book is that rare thing, a finely crafted literary novel that is genuinely moving and full of heart. - The Age

Parrett's starkly precise evocation of Tasmania's winter landscape [is] compelling. The book's tragic outcome leaves the reader feeling genuinely bereft. - The Guardian, UK

Beautiful, stripped-back prose...there is magic here. Like Cormac McCarthy, Parrett packs a huge emotional punch thanks to the elegant brevity of her style. Stark, but unforgettable. - Marie Claire Magazine, UK

In 2011, Favel Parrett's career was launched with her critically acclaimed debut PAST THE SHALLOWS. A heart-breaking novel, it was sold internationally, shortlisted in the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award and won the Dobbie Literary Award. Favel herself won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award in 2012. Her next novel, WHEN THE NIGHT COMES, was also critically acclaimed and further consolidated Favel's reputation with booksellers and readers. Favel's short stories have been published in various journals including Island, Griffith Review and Wet Ink. THERE WAS STILL LOVE was Favel's eagerly awaited third novel. Favel's first novel for younger readers, WANDI, was published in 2021 and has received critical acclaim. KIMMI, also for younger readers, will be published in 2023.

For more information, visit favelparrett.com.au or twitter.com/favelparrett.

Everyone loves Harry. Everyone except his father. Three brothers, Joe, Miles and Harry, are growing up on the remote south coast of Tasmania. The brother' lives are shaped by their father's moods - like the ocean he fishes, his is wild and unpredictable. He is a bitter man, warped by a devastating secret. Miles tries his best to watch out for Harry, the youngest, but he can't be there all the time. Often alone, Harry finds joy in the small treasure he discovers, in the shark eggs and cuttlefish bones. In a kelpie pup, a big mug of Milo, and a secret friendship with a mysterious neighbour. But sometimes small treasures, or a brother's love, are not enough. Winner, Newcomer of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA), 2012 Winner, Dobbie Literary Award, 2012 Listed on the NSW and Victorian school curriculum PRAISE for PAST THE SHALLOWS: 'that rare thing, a finely crafted literary novel that is genuinely moving and full of heart' THE AGE'an understated and beautifully penned story set on the Tasmanian coast, gives voice to two brothers as their lives are influenced by unpredictable forces....Parrett's writing is exquisite in its simplicity and eloquence, and her narrative is heart-rending.This poignant story resonates.' KIRKUS REVIEWS, USA'Beautiful, stripped-back prose...there is magic here. Like Cormac McCarthy, Parrett packs a huge emotional punch thanks to the elegant brevity of her style. Stark, but unforgettable...' MARIE CLAIRE, UK'If you read only one book this year make sure it's this.' THE SUNDAY TIMES, Tasmania'Wintonesque' HERALD SUN'I loved Past the Shallows ' Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDS

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