Meet Me at the Intersection is a rich short story anthology written by a diverse range of Australian authors and lovingly edited by Rebecca Lim and Ambelin Kwaymullina. The anthology aims to showcase the experiences of marginalised groups through “own voice” stories, whose authors fit into those groups.
The first thing about the anthology that the reader will notice is the beautiful cover art, designed by Kwaymullina. It communicates the central message of the anthology, which is that while every person’s experiences are unique, the experiences of marginalised groups intersect in many ways. It’s a reminder that no matter how different we may be, there is always some common ground.
The anthology is divided into four categories, though the introduction acknowledges all of the experiences within don’t fit neatly into each group. The book begins with stories from First Nation people, then people living with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and finally, people of colour who connect with migrant experiences.
Taking any one of these stories shows how much these identities interact with each other. Mimi Lee’s story, ‘Fragments’, ties in the effects that culture and family have on mental health, while Jordi Kerr’s fantastical ‘Sheer Fortune’ gives an analogy for being queer while living with a chronic illness. The beauty of these stories is that no matter how specific the themes are, someone out there will relate to them, and they are important to help readers understand things that are outside of their own experiences.
Meet Me at the Intersection has been carefully crafted to give a voice to the voiceless. While mainstream media is making strides towards inclusivity, Own Voice stories allow marginalised groups to share their experiences with honesty. The authors, by sharing their stories here, have poured their hearts out so that the readers can see a small selection of the true human experience, but also so that a reader might pick up the book and see themself reflected in its pages. The anthology opens the door to diversity in Australian YA as a collection of heartfelt and genuine stories, and hopefully sets a precedent for the future.
Eliza Henry Jones’ P is for Pearl is a sweet piece of summer escapism. Set in a quiet beach town in Tasmania, complete with romance and hints of mystery, it’s an easy way to pass the time over the summer holidays, sitting out in the sun with a drink in hand. The reader is dropped [...]
Margot McGovern’s Neverland is a complex look into mental health through the lens of a mythical world that most people will be familiar with. Kit, who has repressed memories from traumatic events in her past, finds herself on the island that was her childhood home, now a facility for mentally ill teenagers. As she struggles …
Skulduggery Pleasant follows herione Stephanie Edgley, whose uncle–a famed horror author–dies mysteriously, leaving Stephanie with his fortune and mansion, but as Stephanie spends the night in her late uncle’s house, she is thrust into a magical underworld full of murderous hunters, vampires, ghosts and monsters that appear to mirror those written about in her uncle’s …
In 1984, one of modern literature’s most celebrated works, readers are introduced to Winston Smith, who lives in a dystopian society in which everything–from actions, movements, careers, and, even in some cases, thoughts–are monitored and recorded tirelessly. In this society, all individuals are governed by organisations who mandate conformity and allegiance, and who will cause …
Highway Bodies is the second novel from Australian author Alison Evans after their debut novel Ida, which received a mixed opinion from readers, reviewers and critics. Set to be released in the February of 2019, Highway Bodies tells the tale of three distinct groups of Melbourne teenagers as the world around them falls victim to …
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it stand out. The world of Four Dead Queens is reminiscent of fantasy, but instead of magic, there is strange and interesting technology that serves as …
Book Review – Meet Me at the Intersection edited by Rebecca Lim and Ambelin Kwaymullina
The first thing about the anthology that the reader will notice is the beautiful cover art, designed by Kwaymullina. It communicates the central message of the anthology, which is that while every person’s experiences are unique, the experiences of marginalised groups intersect in many ways. It’s a reminder that no matter how different we may be, there is always some common ground.
The anthology is divided into four categories, though the introduction acknowledges all of the experiences within don’t fit neatly into each group. The book begins with stories from First Nation people, then people living with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and finally, people of colour who connect with migrant experiences.
Taking any one of these stories shows how much these identities interact with each other. Mimi Lee’s story, ‘Fragments’, ties in the effects that culture and family have on mental health, while Jordi Kerr’s fantastical ‘Sheer Fortune’ gives an analogy for being queer while living with a chronic illness. The beauty of these stories is that no matter how specific the themes are, someone out there will relate to them, and they are important to help readers understand things that are outside of their own experiences.
Meet Me at the Intersection has been carefully crafted to give a voice to the voiceless. While mainstream media is making strides towards inclusivity, Own Voice stories allow marginalised groups to share their experiences with honesty. The authors, by sharing their stories here, have poured their hearts out so that the readers can see a small selection of the true human experience, but also so that a reader might pick up the book and see themself reflected in its pages. The anthology opens the door to diversity in Australian YA as a collection of heartfelt and genuine stories, and hopefully sets a precedent for the future.
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Margot McGovern’s Neverland is a complex look into mental health through the lens of a mythical world that most people will be familiar with. Kit, who has repressed memories from traumatic events in her past, finds herself on the island that was her childhood home, now a facility for mentally ill teenagers. As she struggles …
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Book Review – Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it stand out. The world of Four Dead Queens is reminiscent of fantasy, but instead of magic, there is strange and interesting technology that serves as …