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.
Cally Black’s In The Dark Spaces is an immersive sci-fi thriller that features some incredible aliens and insightful thoughts on human nature. While it’s full of action and danger, the heart of the story revolves around family, morality, communication, and love in all its forms. Exposition is scarce, but this works in the book’s favour. [...]
In ‘Again, but Better’, a college student and creatively-driven Shane enrols in a university in the United Kingdom to fulfil her dreams of becoming a writer. Previously a medical student at a university in America, she makes the move unbeknownst to her parents, who have insisted she pursue a career in medicine for vicarious reasons. …
April Genevieve Tucholke’s high fantasy novel, The Boneless Mercies, sweeps the reader into a deeply evocative world that grants a feminist take on classic tales inspired by Norse mythology. A retelling of Beowulf, the story follows a band of young women called the Boneless Mercies as they abandon the life they knew and travel the …
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 …
Hunting Prince Dracula is a wonderfully haunting and cleverly crafted mystery novel from Kerri Maniscalco, author of Stalking Jack the Ripper. The novel, which involves the same characters from the aforementioned story, instead follows Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her close companion Thomas Creswell as they travel to Romania to enrol in a forensics course held …
If you’re a fan of the recent film version, Riggs’ debut novel is a must-read. His engaging writing transports you into his gothic and fantastical world, combining imagery and expression to make it difficult to put down. The voice of the protagonist, 16-year-old Jacob Portman, is full of personality and is relatable to anyone who …
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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In ‘Again, but Better’, a college student and creatively-driven Shane enrols in a university in the United Kingdom to fulfil her dreams of becoming a writer. Previously a medical student at a university in America, she makes the move unbeknownst to her parents, who have insisted she pursue a career in medicine for vicarious reasons. …
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April Genevieve Tucholke’s high fantasy novel, The Boneless Mercies, sweeps the reader into a deeply evocative world that grants a feminist take on classic tales inspired by Norse mythology. A retelling of Beowulf, the story follows a band of young women called the Boneless Mercies as they abandon the life they knew and travel the …
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