Where We Begin

Seventeen-year-old Anna is running into the night. Fleeing her boyfriend, her mother, and everything she has known.

She is travelling into the country, to the land and the grandparents she has never met, looking for answers to questions that have never been asked.

For every family has secrets.

But some secrets – once laid bare – can never be forgiven.

A dark, deeply compelling, coming-of-age YA novel from the author of As Stars Fall.

WINNER OF THE DAVITT AWARDS YOUNG ADULT 2021
HONOURS BOOK FOR CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR OLDER READERS 2021
SHORTLISTED FOR THE READINGS YA BOOK PRIZE 2021
SHORTLISTED FOR THE VICTORIAN PREMIER’S LITERARY AWARD FOR WRITING FOR YOUNG ADULTS 2021
SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER’S AWARD ETHEL TURNER PRIZE 2021

Author Biography

Christie Nieman is an author, essayist, editor, parent and librarian. Where We Begin is her second novel. Her first novel As Stars Fall was a CBCA Notable Book. Her short fiction and essays have been widely published in Australian journals and magazines, including The Big Issue, Meanjin, Overland, and The Sydney Review of Books. Her work has been described as ‘Australian contemporary gothic’ and lauded as ‘unique’ and ‘the epitome of quality writing in this country’. She lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung country.